System and method for automated laboratory inventory management using RFID technology

A method for laboratory information management, comprising:

• operatively coupling a local computer to an inventory database and to a remote computer;
• providing a first portal at an entryway of a delivery location of a laboratory;
• receiving at least one laboratory item at the delivery location;
• physically affixing a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag to the at least one laboratory item or physically affixing the RFID tag to packaging corresponding thereto, the at least one laboratory item and corresponding RFID tag defining a tagged item;
• providing an RFID scanner at the first portal and at a second portal;
• automatically scanning, using the RFID scanners, the RFID tag of the tagged item as the laboratory item and affixed RFID tag passes through respective portals, and automatically transmitting information obtained from the RFID tag to the local computer;
• wherein the automatic scanning occurs only at the first portal and at the second portal;
• obtaining, by the local computer, a product catalog containing information about available laboratory items to be ordered from vendors that supply the laboratory items;
• monitoring, using the local computer, an inventory database and determining if an amount of the at least one laboratory item is less than a predetermined amount based on a change in inventory caused by the tagged item passing through the respective portal;
• generating, by the local computer, a purchase requisition corresponding to laboratory items, wherein an amount of the laboratory items has been determined to be less than the predetermined amount;
• and
• after approval of the purchase requisition, the local computer automatically generating a purchase order for the at least one laboratory item based on the available laboratory items contained in the product catalog, the generated purchase order containing details of a plurality of laboratory items to be ordered, including a delivery location of the laboratory items to be ordered.