Whether it’s consumables, accessories, or software updates, this check takes only a short time but can save you a lot of trouble once business picks up again.
The start of the new school year is the perfect time to get your lab back on track. After the summer months, which can sometimes mean a slowdown in activity or less frequent use of instruments, a few simple checks can help you get back on track and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Sufficient supplies of consumables, accessories in good condition, up-to-date software… All these factors contribute to the smooth operation of your equipment and the continuity of your analysis. A quick check beforehand can help you avoid running out of consumables, missing an accessory, or encountering a problem caused by outdated software, all at a time when you need your equipment the most.
In this back-to-school checklist, discover the key points to check for your HORIBA instruments and prepare for the resumption of your work with peace of mind.
Take stock of your consumables
Before fully resuming laboratory operations, start by checking your consumables inventory. A return to normal operations can quickly lead to increased consumption and reveal needs that were not apparent during the summer months.
Cuvettes, lamps, crucibles, chemical solutions, standards, or other consumables specific to your analysis: make sure you have the correct part numbers for your instruments and sufficient quantities to cover your upcoming needs.
Also take this opportunity to check expiration dates where applicable and identify consumables that will need to be replenished soon. Planning your orders in advance helps minimize the risk of running out of supplies and ensures your analyses continue without interruption.
Best practice: Make a list of the consumables you use regularly and estimate your needs for the coming weeks or months. This will allow you to plan your orders ahead of time rather than having to react to an emergency.
Check the condition of your accessories
Accessories play a vital role in the daily use of your instruments. After a period of reduced activity, their condition therefore also deserves special attention.
Check frequently used accessories and ensure they are always available, properly stored, and in good condition. A worn, damaged, or missing part can slow down your analyses or even prevent certain applications from being performed.
This check can also be an opportunity to identify accessories that could improve or simplify your analyses: adapting to a new sample type, reducing the required volume, improving accuracy, or addressing changes in your analytical needs.
Best practice: Match each accessory to its specific application or instrument to quickly identify the items essential to your work and those that may need to be replaced.
Make sure your software is up to date
The software associated with your instruments is also something to keep an eye on when resuming operations. An outdated version can cause compatibility issues or prevent you from taking advantage of certain available improvements and features.
So take the time to check the software version currently installed on your equipment and ask our service engineers about any available updates. Depending on your configuration and instrument, these updates may apply to the control, data acquisition, or data analysis software.
The best course of action: contact our service engineers, who can guide and advise you on updating your software, particularly regarding prerequisites and compatibility with your existing configuration, to ensure a smooth transition.
Check the items you’ll need for your upcoming analyses
The start of the school year is also a good time to look beyond your immediate needs. What analyses are planned for the coming weeks? Will new samples be analyzed? Does a new method need to be implemented?
These changes can have a direct impact on the consumables, accessories, or software required for your operations.
If you plan to develop or optimize an analytical method, specialized support from our application engineers can also help you identify the parameters and solutions best suited to your application.
Take this opportunity to plan ahead for your maintenance needs
Although this checklist focuses primarily on consumables, accessories, and software, the start of the school year can also be a good time to assess the maintenance status of your equipment.
Regularly maintained instruments help minimize the risk of unplanned downtime and preserve performance over time. Check your upcoming maintenance schedules and, if necessary, plan ahead to avoid disrupting your analysis schedule.
If you’d like greater clarity and peace of mind regarding the maintenance of your instrument, a maintenance contract can also help you organize the upkeep of your equipment and plan for necessary repairs in advance.
The start of the school year is the perfect time to plan ahead rather than be caught off guard by the unexpected. By checking your consumables, accessories, software, and maintenance needs now, you’ll give yourself the best chance to ensure the continuity of your analyses and quickly get back to your normal workflow.
Need to restock your consumables, replace an accessory, or explore the solutions available for your HORIBA equipment? Discover our selection of consumables, accessories, software, and services tailored to your needs at The HORIBA Store
