No single automation strategy suits every laboratory. Goals, resources, and technical depth all shape whether you build in-house or adopt a ready-made system. This guide compares in-house and turnkey automation so you can match the approach to your scientific needs.
Building an automated workcell in-house means selecting and integrating your own hardware and software to run scientific workflows without manual intervention. With a growing ecosystem of benchtop instruments, robotics, and scheduling software, this approach can unlock powerful productivity gains, but it requires thoughtful planning, technical expertise, and clear execution.
Putting idle robotic arms to work by integrating them into new workflows
Quickly deploying a system to feed high-throughput instruments (e.g., imagers, readers)
Automating handoffs between two or three key instruments using a single robotic arm
Building fully customized, internally developed automation systems tailored to unique needs
Fast deployment using internally sourced components
Full control over system design, configuration, and iteration
Opportunities to build internal automation expertise and ownership
Capital allocation that aligns with short-term needs and long-term flexibility
Success is highly dependent on internal expertise and engineering bandwidth
Steep learning curve for teams new to automation
Responsibility for uptime, maintenance, and support falls on your team
Instrument selection is critical for long-term reliability and performance. At HighRes Biosolutions, we’ve spent over 20 years integrating benchtop devices into automated systems across a wide range of life science applications. This experience allows us to guide customers toward instruments that integrate well and perform consistently under automation.
If you’re building independently, do your research and seek input from experienced scientists and lab automation professionals.
Effective scheduling software must serve two user experiences: protocol execution and system configuration. Choose a tool that simplifies:
Designing and running workflows
Configuring new workcells or adapting existing ones
Leveraging an extensive driver library
Developing new drivers with minimal effort
We built CellarioScheduler to meet all of these needs by offering flexibility, simplicity, and performance for labs that want to control their own automation journey.
We recommend the Brooks PreciseFlex arm for its reliability and ease of integration. Whether sourced new or second-hand, it becomes especially valuable when paired with CellarioScheduler, which makes it easy to teach positions even for non-specialists.
Treat tables as part of the lab automation system, not just furniture. Look for:
Rigid, stable frames (steel or reinforced) to minimize vibration
Modular dimensions aligned to robot reach and workflow layout
Locking casters, leveling feet, and cable management features
Durable, chemical-resistant surfaces (e.g., Trespa, phenolic resin, stainless steel)
Integrated power and networking infrastructure
Partner with vendors experienced in laboratory and industrial automation environments to ensure your setup supports current needs and future expansion.
Power and networking infrastructure must be planned as carefully as mechanical components. Best practices include:
Dedicated 15–20A circuits and line conditioners or UPS units for sensitive electronics
Industrial-grade power strips or DIN-rail power distribution systems
Wired Ethernet (Cat6 or better) using shielded cables and local switches
Clear separation of power and data lines to avoid interference
Support for legacy protocols (e.g., RS-232) through converters or hubs
Centralized racks or control boxes to house power, safety, and network components
Clean and scalable infrastructure lays the foundation for safe, maintainable automation that can grow with your needs.
Even if you choose to build your own system, you don’t have to go it alone. HighRes offers tools, guidance, and support to help you succeed. From proven robotics and driver libraries to powerful scheduling software and open APIs, we are committed to delivering automation to every lab.
At HighRes, we support flexible paths to automation. Whether you’re self-deploying or scaling with us, we are committed to supporting any and every lab to adopt workflow automation.
Turnkey lab automation refers to fully integrated, vendor-delivered systems designed to run your scientific workflows with minimal internal lift. After a collaborative scoping process, the vendor designs, assembles, validates, and installs a complete solution including instruments, robotics, software, documentation, and safety certifications. The result is a production-ready system with dedicated support and a clear path to value.
Want a white-glove, production-ready automation platform
Lack internal engineering resources or time to manage integration
Require robust compliance, traceability, and service infrastructure
High confidence in build quality, performance, and validation
Minimal internal effort during setup, deployment, and support
Single point of accountability across hardware, software, and services
Faster path to operational success with lower implementation risk
Empowered ownership—as part of our turnkey delivery, HighRes ensures your team is trained and confident managing, modifying, and maintaining the system over time
Physical flexibility may be limited by hardware layout or infrastructure, but the underlying software is built to support future changes
For complex workflow modifications, vendor support may be required to manage expanded use cases or ensure system stability
Higher upfront capital investment compared to modular, incremental builds
At HighRes, we’ve delivered turnkey systems for leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, balancing technical rigor with real-world agility. From concept through commissioning, we work as an extension of your team to deliver automation that performs from day one and evolves as your lab grows.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to lab automation. Use the questions below to help guide your decision based on your lab’s current needs, capabilities, and future direction:
Goals. What are your short- and long-term objectives around throughput, data quality, and scalability?
Priorities. Is speed, cost-efficiency, or team development most critical right now?
Infrastructure. What software, hardware, and data systems are already in place?
Flexibility. How often will your workflows need to change or expand?
Expertise. What internal automation or engineering resources do you have today?
Focus. What do you want your scientists and engineers to own versus outsource?
Ownership. Who will manage documentation, training, and system continuity?
Scope. Is this a one-off project or a platform intended to scale across teams?
Timeline. Are you working against an internal deadline or vendor-led deployment?
| Feature | In-House Automation | Turnkey Automation |
|---|---|---|
| Customization | High | Moderate |
| Internal Effort | Higher | Lower |
| Time to Deploy | Internally driven | Vendor-dependent |
| Product Stability | Variable | High |
| Compliance & Documentation | User-owned | Vendor-supplied |
| Agility | Very agile | Agile |
| Service & Support | User-driven | Vendor-supported |
| Best Fit For | R&D teams, fast iteration, savvy labs | Enterprise programs, limited internal bandwidth, production needs |
We believe that in life science environments where science moves quickly, flexibility is critical. Many labs start with a turnkey system for speed, then move to self-managed deployments as confidence and experience grow or vice versa. The important part is not which path you choose to start, but whether your tools and partners allow you to adapt.
At HighRes, we design our software and systems to be intuitive, powerful, and modular so you can:
Empower your scientists to configure workflows and make changes independently
Lean on our team when you need white-glove support, integration expertise, or long-term scale-up
Transition smoothly between in-house and vendor-managed approaches as your needs evolve
The goal of automation is not technology for its own sake. The goal is fast, efficient, and reproducible science.
Whether you build a workcell in-house or rely on our team to deliver it end-to-end, the beauty of working with HighRes is that our tools are built for both paths. You can retain control, empower your scientists, and still count on us when you need support. That’s what makes HighRes the right partner for today’s experiments and tomorrow’s growth.
Let’s talk about your goals and map the automation journey that fits your lab today and tomorrow.