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In a materials science lab, a single sample can go through many tests, and each test has to be tracked and paid for against the right purchase order. A global engine and power systems manufacturer was managing its Chemistry and Metallurgy Lab with too much manual work and too little visibility. MXTechies built an end-to-end Mendix application that registers samples, tracks each test parameter, maps test types to PO line balances and keeps the lab and finance teams in step.
A laboratory sample management system registers samples and tracks every test until it is complete and billed. In this project, the solution automates sampling and testing in a Chemistry and Metallurgy Lab. The Mendix app gives one place to register samples, track status for each test parameter and monitor progress. It maps test types to the line balance on each purchase order, so lab work and finance stay aligned, with role-based access, dashboards and reports for full traceability.
- Client
- A global engine and power systems manufacturer
- Lab
- Material Science: Chemistry and Metallurgy
- Core capabilities
- Sample registration, test-parameter tracking, PO line balance mapping, lab-finance coordination
- Approach
- Mendix low-code, with complex logic turned into reusable components (model-driven architecture)
- Platform
- Mendix web application
- Delivered by
- MXTechies, Mendix Certified Partner and Siemens Certified Partner
The challenge
Without one end-to-end system, the lab faced six recurring problems:
- Hard-to-track samples: knowing the status of each sample took effort.
- Test-level blind spots: progress on individual test parameters wasn’t easy to see.
- Lab and finance out of step: coordination between the lab and finance teams was manual.
- PO tracking gaps: linking samples and tests to the right purchase orders was difficult.
- Complex mapping: matching test types to the line balance on each PO was error-prone.
- Slow updates: manual status changes delayed decisions and weakened traceability.
The solution
MXTechies delivered an end-to-end process automation web application on the Mendix low-code platform. It brings sample registration, test-parameter tracking and progress monitoring into one interface. Mendix business logic, workflows, validations and data models automate the routine steps.
The app maps test types to PO line balances, so the lab and finance teams work from the same numbers. Where a requirement is too complex for standard low-code features, the team converts the high-code logic into reusable low-code components wherever possible, following a model-driven architecture. That keeps the app easier to maintain and extend.
Key features
01Sample registration
- For the lab
- Every sample is logged once, with its details and PO.
02Test-parameter status
- For the lab
- Each test on each sample has its own status.
03Progress monitoring
- For the lab
- Lab managers see testing progress across all samples.
04PO line balance mapping
- For the lab
- Test types are mapped to the remaining balance on each PO line.
05Lab-finance coordination
- For the lab
- Finance sees what has been tested and billed.
06Role-based access
- For the lab
- Lab staff, managers and finance see what they need.
07Dashboards and reports
- For the lab
- Status, workload and PO usage at a glance.
08Reusable components
- For the lab
- Complex logic packaged for reuse and easy maintenance.
How it works
- RegisterA sample is registered and linked to its purchase order.
- Plan testsThe required test types are assigned and mapped to PO line balances.
- TestLab staff update the status of each test parameter as work progresses.
- MonitorDashboards show progress, delays and PO consumption.
- CoordinateFinance sees completed tests against each PO line.
- ReportTraceable records support decisions and audits.
The same manufacturer also uses Mendix for test operations automation.
Outcomes
- Real-time visibility: sample and test status are always current.
- Less manual work: routine steps and updates are automated.
- Accurate PO tracking: tests are mapped to the right PO line balance.
- Better lab-finance alignment: both teams work from the same data.
- Easier to maintain and scale: low-code and reusable components keep development effort down.
Why build this on Mendix
- Model-driven development: Mendix turns lab rules into visual models that are easy to maintain.
- Reusable components: complex logic is packaged once and reused.
- Lab and finance in one app: role-based access serves both teams.
Who this is for
Materials, chemistry, metallurgy and quality labs in manufacturing companies, especially labs that test against customer or internal purchase orders and need test-level tracking and clean coordination with finance.
Frequently asked questions
What is a laboratory sample management system?
It is software that registers samples, tracks each test and its status, and keeps a traceable record of lab work.
How does it link tests to purchase orders?
The app maps each test type to the line balance on the relevant PO, so lab work and finance stay aligned.
Can it track individual test parameters?
Yes. Each test parameter on a sample has its own status.
What happens when a requirement is too complex for low-code?
The team converts high-code logic into reusable low-code components where feasible, following a model-driven architecture.
Who uses the app?
Lab staff, lab managers and finance teams, each with role-based access.
About MXTechies
MXTechies is a Mendix Certified Partner and Siemens Certified Partner with delivery teams in India, the USA and the UAE. We build enterprise apps on Mendix, the low-code platform from Siemens, for manufacturing, banking, real estate and retail. See more of our case studies.
Last updated October 2026
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