Manage materials

Accredited and certified laboratories place the highest demands on the consumables used in their analyses. The material management of the LDB helps you to meet these requirements reliably – with central management, end-to-end batch tracking, and documentation.

The material management is part of the QM module of the LDB.


Video

In this onboarding video, you get a compact introduction to the material management of the LDB:


Navigation

Open the material management via:
Navigation bar → QM → Materials

Note: The exact naming of the menu items may vary depending on the configuration of your LDB.

The following describes the functions for managing materials in the LDB.


Overview

The material management offers you the following functions:

  • Material management: Create, release, and centrally manage materials.
  • Batch management: Flexibly add new batches to materials and, if needed, store them with certificates.
  • Blocking functions: Automatically block expired or used-up batches.
  • Batch inspection: Inspect each batch with a transparent release process, including the documentation of all inspection steps.
  • Parameter assignment: Define materials specifically for particular analysis parameters.
  • Traceability: Complete documentation of which batch was used in which sample and analysis.
  • Sample integration: Select and assign valid batches directly in the sample view.
  • Direct display: Used batches are clearly displayed for each sample.
  • Stock calculation: Automatic determination of the current stock of each batch.
  • Reordering management: Automated reminders for timely reordering, based on stock and expiry date.

With these functions, the material management ensures precise, transparent, and efficient handling of consumables – a decisive contribution to quality assurance in laboratories.

Figure: Overview of the material management

Note: All blue-highlighted texts in the table are clickable links to the respective data types. Some columns and functions are always present, others depend on your permissions and the configuration of your LDB. The naming of the columns may also be configuration-dependent.


Description of the table overview

The materials are displayed in a table overview. The following table describes the columns.

Column Description
No. Sequential number of the material in the list view.
Material Name of the material as a clickable link (blue-highlighted) that leads to the detail view. Below or next to the name – depending on the available data – a category label, tags, a short description, custom attributes, the GHS hazard symbols and the pictograms for protective measures are displayed. Via the paperclip icon, you reach linked files or documents; via the pencil icon, you go directly to editing.
Supplier / Manufacturer Shows the assigned supplier or manufacturer as a clickable link (blue-highlighted). If both manufacturer and supplier are stored, both are displayed one below the other.
Batches Lists the assigned batches as clickable links (blue-highlighted) including a status symbol and, if applicable, an expiry note. From nine batches onward, the show more link is displayed to expand further batches.
Status Shows the current status of the material as a symbol together with a label (e.g. created). The status is configuration-dependent.

Functions

Search functions

To find materials quickly and precisely, various search options are available to you.

Quick search

The quick search enables a cross-data-type search without first switching to the respective area.

  • Find the search field in the navigation bar at the top left.
  • Focus the search field with / or s, or click into it and enter your search term.

Simple search

  • Use the Search field at the top left above the material list.
  • Enter the search term and click the magnifier icon or press Enter to start the search.

Advanced search / detail search

  • Click the slider icon to the left of the search field to open the advanced search mask.
  • Filter by specific criteria such as Search term, Categories, Employee, and Status as well as further configuration-dependent fields.

Further search and filter functions

  • Use the dropdown filters in the top menu bar: Categories, Status, Tags, as well as Manufacturer / Supplier.

Add new material

  • Click the green + Add Material button at the top right.
  • If material templates are stored, a dropdown to select the desired template opens via the button.

Further information: Create/edit/delete material, Templates for orders, customers, materials, and other data types


Edit existing material

  • Click the gray pencil icon to the right of the material name to change the data of an already recorded material via the editing function.
  • Alternatively: Click the blue-highlighted material name to switch to the detail view and then click the orange Edit material button.
  • If needed, use the search functions to find the material faster.

Show material

  • Click the blue-highlighted material name to switch to the detail view.

Hazard and protection symbols

When configured, the selected hazard and protection symbols are automatically displayed in the Material column:

  • Hazard symbols (GHS): Labeling of the chemicals according to the globally harmonized system.
  • Protective measures: Mandatory signs for the required personal protective equipment.

Perform attributes data export

  • Click the Excel export button at the top right.
  • The currently displayed material list is exported as an Excel file. Active filters and search settings are taken into account.

Note: The Excel export button is only shown with the corresponding permission.


Batches

Several batches can be maintained for each material. These are displayed in the Batches column with a status symbol and can be opened by clicking.

Further information: Manage/Create/Edit/Delete Batches


Related topics

Last change: 08/21/26

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