Why labs need custom software and how we build it

Introduction

Labs can run on off-the-shelf products that most companies use. But a custom system gives the client a competitive edge and a real shot at leading their niche. They can fulfil more orders in less time — and earn more.

We built a custom operations platform for Spektrokhim even though we initially knew little about their domain. Here’s how we found common ground with the client — and what we can offer other teams who have outgrown boxed tools.

How Spektrokhim worked before

Spektrokhim is based in Saint Petersburg. They manufacture precursors (substances needed for certain chemical reactions) and certified reference materials with known properties. They also run inter-laboratory proficiency tests where many labs evaluate the same samples.

Until 2022, Spektrokhim relied on a well-known German platform for analytics and reporting. It was old, complex, and expensive. In the new economic reality it became hard to keep using it. Through a designer contact, Spektrokhim reached out to us for a more modern, usable replacement.

A lot of work used to be manual. Spektrokhim shipped samples to dozens of labs for analysis. Each lab was registered for a study; data went back and forth by email. Then the team collated everything and wrote reports. Without automation, that took weeks.

Our job was to streamline those processes and deliver a product teams could rely on — without depending on an external vendor.

Taking on an unconventional brief

Not every vendor likes deep domain complexity. For us it’s the most interesting work: we enjoy unpacking what looks opaque at first and shipping what others hesitate to touch.

We grasped the technical shape of the problem quickly. The designer who introduced us had already sketched the UI and gathered requirements with the client. We started from an admin templating stack and extended it to match Spektrokhim’s needs.

Speaking the same language as scientists wasn’t trivial. A Spektrokhim lab specialist helped us translate jargon into plain terms — that made delivery possible.

What we shipped

We built one of the first sophisticated data reconciliation platforms of its kind in the country. Think of an advanced Excel tailored to lab workflows: fast, accurate processing with clear, detailed reports. Similar-looking products exist in Russia, but their scope is far narrower.

Here is what the custom product covers:

• A public form where labs apply to join new study rounds.
• After an interview with an administrator, the system provisions a dedicated lab portal automatically.
• Administrators create and edit study data and test objects.
• Labs enter test results; administrators review and approve them.
• The system rolls everything into a single report exportable to Excel.
• Once a round closes, nobody can change its data — a regulatory requirement.

We aimed to save time for everyone involved. In time, lab staff will add new methods without our help. A lead lab scientist can manage access levels for colleagues. Participants get only the notifications they need. New-round alerts go out automatically to everyone enrolled.

What Spektrokhim gains from the platform

According to Spektrokhim, the product helps the company:

160

active partner labs

320+

lab staff engaged in studies

÷2

fewer corrections vs manual workflows

×3

higher operating speed

Automating applications and processing cut turnaround time. Staff now enter and confirm data in one system, which reduces mistakes. Administrators gained practical tools to manage rounds and master data. Labs report that portals are easier to use and results are quicker to access.

What we can offer other clients

We have a reusable foundation we can adapt for custom products in other industries — you add the modules that match the business logic. We pick technologies that are common, maintainable, and cost-effective for the client.

Many sectors struggle with data exchange: legacy standards, incompatible platforms across institutions. Custom software is often the cleanest fix.

Some industries have no real boxed options, yet they still need bespoke engineering. We work with narrow niches and will share more stories soon.

Why companies invest in custom solutions

Custom software is a business asset: you invest first, then earn returns. For example, you can:

• monetise the data you already collect;
• hire for simpler roles, spend less time recruiting specialists, and reduce payroll pressure;
• take on more orders;
• run more studies with less time and fewer resources;
• avoid expensive third-party subscriptions typical of boxed suites.

Teams often don’t know how to start a custom project or write a solid spec. The shortcut is to talk to us. We’ll clarify what you need, shortlist five industry-relevant options, compare them with bespoke development, and give frank recommendations. We’ll surface unmet needs, simplification wins, and delivery risks — then produce a clear specification and timeline. Whatever sector you’re in, we can usually find a path to higher operational efficiency.