Case Study: The Institute of Cell and Molecular Science improves sample tracking and freezer management with ItemTracker

How the Institute of Cell and Molecular Science has utilised sample-tracking software in order to improve productivity and organise the ICMS freezer facilities

The Institute of Cell and Molecular Science (ICMS) faced significant challenges in managing over 60,000 research samples stored across numerous cryogenic units. Disorganized storage made locating specific samples difficult, leading to prolonged freezer door openings that risked sample degradation. Ownership of samples was also unclear as researchers departed, creating a critical need for a unified and configurable sample-tracking system. The institute turned to the vendor ItemTracker for a solution.

ItemTracker implemented its customizable sample-tracking software, which utilized barcode labels and scanners. The solution provided exact sample locations, enforced mandatory data entry fields for ownership, and offered configurable data access permissions for compliance. This allowed ICMS staff to find samples instantly without opening freezers, securely manage sample ownership data, and efficiently discard unused samples to free up space. The implementation was successful, with ItemTracker providing a comprehensive and flexible solution that significantly improved productivity and sample security.