Technical Service & Application
Automation and laboratory services

Technical Service & Application

From specialized application services to technical expertise: find the right solution, get quick answers to the most common questions in our FAQs, and request your tailored support package in just a few clicks.

Application services

Recommendation *

Theoretical recommendation for sample preparation without experimental confirmation

Processing time: Approx. 1 week
Document: Recommendation

* Recommendations are not based on tests conducted by R-Biopharm, but rather on general or individual experiences of R-Biopharm AG. These recommendations have not been verified or validated.

Feasibility Testing *

Testing of existing sample preparation methods for special individual samples

Amount of samples: Up to 3 matrix replicates
Sample acquisition: Customer (preferred) or procured by R- Biopharm
Development: Testing of existing sample preparation, if necessary also of other test systems
Verification / validation: Requested specifications of the customer: e.g.: Which decolorization method works for dark-colored wines? If no customer specification: Recovery: Blank + 3 spike concentrations
Processing time: Approx. 2 weeks
Document: Feasibility report

* The feasibility assessment evaluates the general suitability of the specifically tested material only. It does not include verification or validation.

Application Notes *

Development and / or verification of a new or existing sample preparation for a new sample matrix

Amount of samples: At least 3 matrix replicates
Sample acquisition: Customer (preferred) or procured by R- Biopharm
Development: Testing or modification of existing or development of a new sample preparation
Verification / validation:
- Limit of Detection (LOD)
- Limit of Quantification (LOQ)
- Recovery
- Dilutability **
- Analyte stability **
Processing time: Approx. 4 weeks
Document: Application note

* An Application note describes a possible application for a specified product, method, technique, or device. It is internally verified but not validated.

** If necessary.

Instruction for use (IFU) Extension *

Development and / or validation of a new sample preparation for a new sample matrix

Amount of samples: At least 10 matrix replicates
Sample acquisition: Customer (preferred) or procured by R- Biopharm
Development: Testing or modification of existing or development of a new sample preparation
Verification / validation: Extensive validation in 3 test kits lots, to be determined individually in each case:
- Limit of Detection (LOD)
- Limit of Quantification (LOQ)
- Precision
- Recovery / Trueness
- Detection capability (ccβ)
- Cross reactivities and side activities
- Interferences
- Robustness
- Linearity and Dilutability
- Stabilities
Processing time: Approx. 8 weeks
Document: Instructions for use of test kit

* An IFU extension validates only a particular matrix according to internal guidelines.

Contract Analysis

Determination of the content of an analyte according to the instructions for use of a test

Amount of samples: Unlimited
Sample acquisition: Customer samples only
Development: Analysis only with existing verified / validated sample preparations according to instuctions for use or application note
Verification / validation:
- At least 2 technical replicates per sample
- Biological replicates as required
Processing time: Approx. 1-3 days
Document: Analysis report

Expertise

Qualification

Equipment certification according to industry standards for regulatory readiness

Training

Practical onboarding and sessions tailored to your team's workflows

Prevention

Proactive maintenance to maximize system lifetime and minimize downtime

Repair

Swift troubleshooting and expert repair to restore productivity instantly

FAQs – Quick answers to the most common questions

Filter the FAQs specifically by area, category, and device/method, or use the free-text field for a customized search.

Area	Category	Device / Method	Question	Answer
Devices & Automation	Service Contracts & Support Levels	All devices	Which service contract levels do you offer?	We offer four models: RIDA Service Standard, Plus and Premium (maintenance contracts with an annual flat fee) as well as Pay per Service (billed per effort, without a contract). The three contract levels are available for our large devices (ThunderBolt, BOLT, Pictus 500) and the RIDA®CYCLER; Pay per Service is available for all other devices.
Devices & Automation	Service Contracts & Support Levels	Large devices, RIDA®CYCLER	What is included in RIDA Service Standard?	Typically two service visits per year including technical service and maintenance, calibration check, replacement of wear parts, service reports, helpdesk and installation of new protocols. Travel costs are additional.
Devices & Automation	Service Contracts & Support Levels	Large devices, RIDA®CYCLER	What is the difference between Plus and Premium compared to Standard?	Plus includes all Standard services plus all service visits including travel costs (spare parts not included). Premium additionally includes, on top of Plus, an annual on-site user training as part of a regular service visit, a sample test at R-Biopharm, and spare parts.
Devices & Automation	Service Contracts & Support Levels	All devices	We don't have a maintenance contract – how can we still get service?	Through Pay per Service. Each visit is scheduled individually and billed based on time and materials plus travel costs; this includes maintenance, training and spare parts, among other things. Appointments are scheduled based on availability and are not prioritized.
Devices & Automation	Service Contracts & Support Levels	Small devices	For which devices are there no tiered maintenance contracts?	For the small devices RIDA®SMART BOX, RIDA®CUBE SCAN, RIDA®ABSORBANCE 96 and Lumitester SMART we currently offer Pay per Service instead of the tiered Standard/Plus/Premium contracts.
Devices & Automation	Training & Education	All devices	What trainings do you offer?	User trainings for all devices as well as – depending on the device – technician trainings, troubleshooting trainings and assay set-up. Trainings can be conducted on-site or remotely.
Devices & Automation	Training & Education	All devices	What do users learn in a user training?	Device setup and operation, required consumables, software operation, loading test programs, adding samples, starting tests, saving and interpreting results, device cleaning (daily/weekly/monthly), and basic troubleshooting. Duration is approx. 0.5–2 days depending on the device.
Devices & Automation	Repair & Maintenance	All devices	Where is my device repaired if needed?	There are three options: on-site (for certain large devices), at R-Biopharm, or at the device manufacturer. Small devices are usually repaired at R-Biopharm or at the manufacturer.
Devices & Automation	Repair & Maintenance	All devices	How is a repair outside the warranty billed?	Billing is based on an hourly rate or a flat fee according to the quote, plus spare parts and travel or shipping costs. For repairs at the manufacturer, we will provide a quote after consultation.
Devices & Automation	Repair & Maintenance	Small devices	Do I get a replacement device during the repair?	For small devices, we provide a replacement device on request for the duration of the repair to minimize downtime (plus shipping). This service is not available for large devices.
Devices & Automation	Qualification (IQ/OQ)	Large devices	What does an IQ/OQ (Installation and Operational Qualification) include?	Technical release and commissioning including documentation, unpacking and setup, adjustment and photometer check, application release, protocol uploads, reference run and PVT, device training, audit-compliant certificates and final documentation.
Devices & Automation	Qualification (IQ/OQ)	All devices	What is a requalification – and what applies to small devices?	During a requalification, the device is technically released and checked for application and photometric performance, including documentation. For small devices, on-site or in-house requalifications with calibration verification are available.
Devices & Automation	Rental & Loan Devices	All devices	Can I rent devices instead of buying them?	Yes, all devices are available for rent (monthly fee, plus initial qualification and shipping if applicable). A maintenance contract is mandatory for rental periods longer than six months.
Devices & Automation	Rental & Loan Devices	All devices	Do you offer calibration and test equipment for rent?	Yes. Available items include calibration plates as well as test and validation tools such as Validate96 (RIDA®ABSORBANCE 96), the RIDA®CYCLER TVS (temperature verification), and the Lumitester Control Kit.
Devices & Automation	Automation & Assay Programming	ELISA/CLIA, photometry, PCR	Can you program or adapt assays for our device?	Yes. For R-Biopharm products, we offer assay programming and adaptation on the large devices and the RIDA®CYCLER.
Devices & Automation	Automation & Assay Programming	Photometry, PCR	Do your automated systems support third-party assays?	Yes, on open systems – such as Pictus 500 and RIDA®CYCLER. However, when using third-party tests, service limitations may apply and additional costs may arise.
Devices & Automation	IT & Software	RIDA®SMART BOX, ELISA automated systems	Do you offer app, cloud and LIMS support?	For the RIDA®SMART BOX we offer app customization and cloud service. For ThunderBolt and BOLT we support LIMS connectivity.
Application/Laboratory Services	Application & Laboratory Services	Laboratory service	What application services do you offer?	A tiered offering – ranging from a non-binding recommendation through feasibility testing and the Application Note to IFU extension (validation) and contract analysis. The levels differ in depth and level of commitment.
Application/Laboratory Services	Application & Laboratory Services	Laboratory service	What is the difference between Recommendation, Feasibility, Application Note and IFU Extension?	Recommendation: theoretical recommendation without a trial. Feasibility: assessment of basic feasibility on specific samples, without validation. Application Note: development or verification including LOD, LOQ and recovery – internally verified but not validated. IFU Extension: comprehensive validation of a matrix across three kit lots. The levels differ in scope, processing time and level of commitment.
Application/Laboratory Services	Application & Laboratory Services	Laboratory service	How does a contract analysis work?	Analysis is carried out exclusively using already verified or validated sample preparations on your samples. Billing is based on material costs and working time; processing time strongly depends on the scope of the analysis. You will receive an analysis report.
Application/Laboratory Services	Application & Laboratory Services	Laboratory service	How long do the application services take?	Guideline values: Recommendation approx. 1 week, Feasibility approx. 2 weeks, Application Note approx. 4 weeks, IFU Extension approx. 8 weeks, contract analysis 1–5 days. Processing time begins with the start of processing in each case.
Application/Laboratory Services	Application & Laboratory Services	Laboratory service	Do I need to provide the samples, or do you source them?	Preferably you provide the samples; on request, R-Biopharm can source them. Depending on the service, at least 3 to 10 matrix replicates are required.
Application/Laboratory Services	Application & Laboratory Services	Laboratory service	What do matrix, biological and technical replicate mean?	Sample matrix = type of sample (e.g. red wine). Matrix replicate = different samples of the same matrix (e.g. three red wines). Biological replicate = multiple preparations of the same sample. Technical replicate = multiple measurements of the same extract.
Application/Laboratory Services	Application & Laboratory Services	Laboratory service	Do you offer workshops?	Yes, individual workshops on technologies, products and customer-specific solutions – on-site or at R-Biopharm in Darmstadt, including workshop materials and certificates of participation.
Cross-cutting	Devices & Compatibility	All devices	For which devices do you offer service?	For all devices we sell.
Cross-cutting	Devices & Compatibility	All devices / Methods	Which device fits which test method?	ELISA: ThunderBolt, BOLT and RIDA®ABSORBANCE 96. Enzymatic analysis: Pictus 500 and RIDA®CUBE SCAN. Real-time PCR: RIDA®CYCLER. Hygiene/ATP monitoring: Lumitester SMART. Evaluation of lateral flow strips: RIDA®SMART BOX.
Cross-cutting	Devices & Compatibility	ELISA	What is the difference between ThunderBolt and BOLT?	Both process ELISA assays fully automatically. The ThunderBolt is a two-plate platform with higher throughput; the BOLT is more compact, modular, has lower throughput and is more cost-effective.
Cross-cutting	Devices & Compatibility	Photometry	What is the throughput of the Pictus 500?	Up to 340 tests per hour. The device is suitable for medium to large laboratories and processes colorimetric or enzymatic reactions fully automatically.
Cross-cutting	Devices & Compatibility	All devices	Which devices can be shipped by parcel service and which cannot?	RIDA®SMART BOX, RIDA®CUBE SCAN, RIDA®ABSORBANCE 96, RIDA®CYCLER and Lumitester SMART can be shipped by parcel service. Large devices (ThunderBolt, BOLT, Pictus 500) require freight shipping.
Cross-cutting	Process & Ordering	All devices	Are there additional costs besides the actual service?	For many services, travel or shipping costs are added; for repairs, spare parts are also added. Effort-based services are billed based on time and materials.
Cross-cutting	Process & Ordering	All devices	How quickly can I get a service visit?	With a maintenance contract (especially Plus and Premium), visits are covered. With Pay per Service, appointments are scheduled based on availability and are not prioritized.
Cross-cutting	Process & Ordering	All devices	Do you offer remote support?	Yes. Remote support is – with some limitations – part of Pay per Service and the maintenance contracts; for some devices, software can be configured remotely on request.
Cross-cutting	Process & Ordering	All devices	What is a workflow analysis?	A joint analysis of your laboratory workflow to optimize processes – carried out in collaboration and on-site at the customer. Billed based on time and materials plus travel costs; the cost estimate is provided after consultation. Available for all devices.
Cross-cutting	Legal, Warranty & Certification	Laboratory service	Who owns the methods and data developed?	Developed methods and the associated data remain the property of R-Biopharm AG. You receive a non-exclusive, unlimited right of use for internal purposes. Publication, disclosure or commercial use require prior written consent.
Cross-cutting	Legal, Warranty & Certification	Rental/loan devices	How should rental or loan devices be returned?	Clean, functional, without stickers or markings and with a decontamination certificate, preferably in the original packaging. Returns require prior approval from R-Biopharm customer service; return shipping is generally at the customer's cost and risk.

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Technical Service & Application Automation and laboratory services