How to manage samples and vials

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Overview
Vials are small containers used to store samples, aliquots of drugs, and other reagents. They are crucial for medical and scientific laboratories, but keeping a full inventory of all the vials in each lab can be difficult. For example, in a lab with seven members, the PI, 3 post-docs, a lab manager, and 2 research technicians, there are likely six people generating samples, aliquots of drug treatments, and other reagents. Keeping track of stock reagents, aliquots, and sample vials for six members, some of whom may have multiple projects, can quickly become overwhelming. This can be further complicated when attempting to track the amount of inventory left in the lab, making it difficult to ensure the lab is always fully stocked. With Labii, you can easily track all information for every type of vial stored in your lab. Additionally, with all vial information stored in one place, Labii ELN & LIMS (https://www.labii.com) makes keeping up with inventory much simpler.
Before getting started
To import multiple vials into Labii at once, make sure the information for each vial is properly formatted (find out how to properly format your workbooks below). Make sure you have created tales like samples, vials, and storage. Tables can also be added under Settings, go to Applications, then select install the “Inventory Manager”. This will install all the necessary tables for you. Please note, administrator permissions are required.
Creating samples
Samples need to be created first so that vials can be associated with the appropriate sample in Labii. A sample can be added under Add by selecting the Samples table, then filling out the form you’re directed to.
Creating vials
There are many ways to create vials in Labii: 
If you only need to create a few vials, you can use the form: 
1.Go to the side menu, select Add, select Vials table, then fill out the form 
2.You can also add vials on the sample detail page. Navigate to the Vials section, click the + Vial button, then fill out the form. 
If you need to create a lot of vials, use Labii’s import function to create in batch: 
1.Prepare a table as shown below, download the file as .tsv or Excel 
2.Go to Tables, then Vials, select Actions, then click Import, 
1.Or go to the sample details page, navigate to the Vials section, click import vials 
3.Select a project, then select the downloaded file 
4.Make sure the fields are matched correctly 
5.Click submit to import and wait until the import has been completed.
name
source
storage
coordinance
volume
concentration
Serum Sample Vial 1
SP1
SG3
B1
10
10
Serum Sample Vial 2
SP1
SG3
B2
10
10
Serum Sample Vial 3
SP1
SG3
B3
10
10
Serum Sample Vial 4
SP1
SG3
B4
10
10
Serum Sample Vial 5
SP1
SG3
B5
10
10
Checking out vials
To check out vials:
1.Go to the sample details page, 
2.Go to the Vials under the Sections view 
3.Change “is_consumed” to “true”, 
4.Update the “checkout_by” and “checkout_at” for the vial you want to check out. 
You can also use the batch operation or import function to checkout in batch.
Checking the vial status
You can check the status of all vials, how many are created, where they are located, and how many are available by going to Samples, selecting Column view, then checking Vial total and Vial available.
Summary
By managing your vial inventory with Labii (https://www.labii.com), you can rest assured knowing all of your samples, drug treatments, and reagents are properly organized in a searchable database. Labii also provides the flexibility to create/update in form or in batch allowing you to quickly update records.
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Inventory Manager
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Document Management
Last modified 9mo ago
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On this page
Overview
Before getting started
Creating samples
Creating vials
Checking out vials
Checking the vial status
Summary