PIQ
From Paper to Performance: How Cloud Technology Transformed a Food Testing Laboratory.
When a growing food testing laboratory came to Reuben Digital, they were facing a problem many successful businesses encounter: their technology couldn't keep up with their ambition.
The Challenge
Despite strong demand for their services, the laboratory was trapped by their own systems. Technicians were recording test results by hand, then manually entering the same data into Microsoft Access, then again into Excel spreadsheets. Certificate generation meant painstaking PDF creation for every single test. There was no connection between their testing operations and invoicing system, forcing yet more duplicate entry. Clients had no visibility into their orders and management had no real-time insight into what was happening on the laboratory floor.
The impact was tangible: error rates were climbing, administrative costs were eating into margins and potential clients were choosing competitors with more modern, professional-looking operations.
The Solution
Reuben Digital approached this as more than a software project, it was a complete business transformation. We reengineered their legacy Microsoft Access platform into a robust, cloud based LIMS solution built for growth.
Rather than simply digitising broken processes, we redesigned workflows from the ground up, identifying where automation could eliminate waste and reduce risk. We integrated the new LIMS directly with their accounting software, built an intuitive interface for technicians, and created a customer portal that would transform how clients interacted with the laboratory.
Security and compliance weren't afterthoughts, full audit trails and enterprise grade data protection were architected into the foundation.
The Results
The transformation delivered measurable impact across every area of the business:
Revenue Growth: The laboratory saw a 35% increase in new client acquisition, driven by their enhanced professional image and improved service delivery capabilities.
Cost Efficiency: By eliminating duplicate data entry and reducing error rates, the business achieved a 5% reduction in cost of sale, directly improving profit margins and freeing technical staff for revenue generating work.
Operational Excellence: Real time dashboards gave management instant visibility into testing schedules and job status. The customer portal enabled 24/7 client access to information and order entry, dramatically reducing administrative burden while improving customer experience.
Risk & Compliance: Full audit trail capabilities and enterprise grade security not only protected sensitive data but positioned the laboratory as a compliance ready partner for demanding clients.
Now a laboratory that's no longer held back by its systems but powered by them. A business positioned for sustainable growth, with the infrastructure to scale without constraints.
35%
The laboratory saw a 35% increase in new client acquisition.
7.5%
The business achieved a 7.5% reduction in cost of sale.
LIMS in action.
Beyond the Technology
What made this transformation successful wasn't just the technology we implemented, it was our understanding of how food testing laboratories actually operate. We didn't deliver generic software; we engineered a solution that addressed the real complexities of their workflows and business model.
While this platform was tailored for food testing, our approach works across industries. We build systems that solve real problems, improve performance and support long-term growth.
If your business is ready to move faster and smarter, we’re here to help.