Optimizing Calibration Costs: A Practical Guide for Lab Managers & Equipment Coordinators

Lab Managers in medical, research, and industrial settings can significantly reduce calibration expenses by using a simple straightforward process.

Here’s how:

1. Inventory All Assets: Begin by conducting a comprehensive inventory of all equipment. This list should include details such as model numbers, serial numbers, purchase dates, and current calibration schedules. Knowing what you have is crucial for effective management. If you don’t have a good starting point, we have a free excel template here!

2. Identify Redundancies: With your inventory in hand, identify any redundant equipment. Often, labs accumulate multiple pieces of the same equipment, which can be strategically used to extend calibration intervals. For example, if you have several similar items, you can rotate their usage, allowing one to be calibrated while the others remain in ‘storage’. Another option is to extend intervals on equipment that is ‘backup’ or ‘spare’. Why calibrate something every 6 months if it only gets used once every 2 years?!

3. Optimize Calibration Intervals: Use the redundancy to your advantage by consolidating calibration schedules. Extending the calibration intervals for certain equipment, where permissible by regulatory standards and operational requirements, can lead to immediate cost savings. Additionally, by bundling your service offerings to less visits, there can also be cost savings due to the bulk of work! Another benefit to this - is it minimizes your downtime for service visits.

4. Consolidate Calibration Services: Review your workload and scheduling needs for onsite calibration services. By consolidating these services—you can reduce the downtime and costs associated with frequent service calls. This consolidation also frees up valuable time for running the lab, improving overall efficiency.

Following this process annually can yield ongoing savings. Most companies see at least a 10% reduction in calibration expenses on their first attempt. Regularly updating your inventory and reviewing calibration schedules ensures that you maintain optimal savings each year.

If you want a calibration service provider that takes these processes into account for you, and manages your calibration needs from start to finish - let Coast To Coast know, and reach out today!