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Tutorial - Rack Storage Optimization

Introduction

Managing the content of your racks and regrouping vials can simplify rack-based workflows and reduce the storage space required.

The Rack Storage Optimization workflow should be used after manually reordering vials in racks, to reproduce these changes in the Sample inventory.

In this tutorial, you will create and use two racks (RSO_RACK_01 and RSO_RACK_02) containing sparse vials (see the "Prerequisites – Items" section below). All vials will be regrouped into the first rack, RSO_RACK_01.

Prerequisites

Required permissions and setup

Sample Processing role is required to access this workflow.

Required system configuration:

  • Location Type: Rack with a location mask 96 (8x12).
  • Container Type: 1 Dram Vial.
  • A location that allows storage of racks (e.g., Freezer).

These should exist by default in the Sample application.

Items

This tutorial requires specific racks and vials as input. To create the required items, use the attached file RSO_Tutorial_Racks_Registration.txt to process a Rack Registration from File workflow and a Rack Reception workflow using external barcodes.

Info

For more information about registration and reception, see the Rack Registration from File tutorial and the Rack Reception tutorial.

Workflow

Job Creation

Create a new job and select the Rack Storage Optimization workflow.

Requesting

We are placing our vials in the rack RSO_RACK_01, so keep the option Use existing barcode. The External barcode option is useful when moving vials in a rack that is not yet registered in Sample.

  • Load the file describing the vial positions in the desired racks. For this tutorial, use the attached file RSO_Tutorial_Moves.txt.
  • Set the file delimiter to Tabulation.
  • Set Target Rack Type to 96 (8x12).
  • Click Load File.

A file mapping region appears. The workflow will move each VIAL_BARCODE into the target RACK_BARCODE at the requested position (ROW_ALPHA, COLUMN_INDEX).

  • Fill in the mapping accordingly and click Next.

Sourcing

The Sourcing page will confirm that the requested operations are compatible with the source vials (see the Sourced column).

  • Click Next.

Storing

The Storing step allows you to assign a location to the output racks (racks created during the job).

  • Click Assign Location to Selected to move the rack location.
  • Select Paris > HTS Lab > Freezer 1 and click Select to confirm your choice.
  • Click Next.

A message box asks if you want to increment the Thawing Cycle of the racks. Click No to continue.

Pipe & Close

The Pipe & Close step provides a summary page where you can review the job and optionally pipe it to another workflow.

For this tutorial, click Close & Quit to finish the job.