In today’s fast-evolving research landscape, laboratories are under increasing pressure to improve precision, speed, and overall efficiency. This is where Deft, the Digital Enabled Formulation Toolset, makes a powerful impact. Designed to bridge the gap between traditional lab work and the digital future, Deft connects and integrates existing bench-top instruments to create a seamless, fully digitised laboratory workflow.

What is Deft?

Deft is a scalable, networked solution developed specifically for R&D and chemical formulation labs. With a focus on the bench scientist, Deft was crafted in close collaboration with leading industrial researchers to address the challenges of manual bench formulations. It provides an efficient, user-friendly platform for automating and digitising lab workflows, offering a wealth of features that drive both productivity and accuracy.

Whether you're looking to move towards a paperless environment, integrate data capture seamlessly, or enhance your lab’s overall operational efficiency, Deft is the tool that supports your Lab-of-the-Future aspirations. It can function independently or integrate with your existing Lab Information Management Systems (LIMS), enhancing your existing infrastructure.

How Deft Works:

The Deft system is composed of several integrated components:

Deft Standard Gateway: Connects up to 4 lab instruments (available in multiple connection variations).
Deft Client App: Available on Android, iOS, with desktop versions in development for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Bluetooth-Enabled Smart Tags & SDM: Ensure seamless connectivity and data capture.
Network Connectivity: Ensures all devices are connected and accessible for real-time data management.

Deft allows instruments like balances, overhead stirrers, hotplates, rheometers, and more to communicate digitally, providing instant data capture and traceability for your formulations. This system is not just a tool; it’s an integral part of the lab transformation towards a digital-first future.

Key Benefits of Deft:

✅ Paperless Workflow: Eliminate manual note-taking with digital logs and reports.
✅ Accurate Calibration: Ensure instruments are always properly calibrated, enhancing data integrity.
✅ Ingredient Traceability: Automatically track ingredients throughout the formulation process.
✅ Real-Time Data Capture: Capture photographs, digital notes, and experimental data, all synced in real-time.
✅ Seamless Updates: Stay up-to-date with over-the-air software updates, keeping your system current and secure.
✅ Security & Reporting: Individual logins ensure secure access, while user and equipment reports offer critical insights.
✅ Remote Access: Access data and control experiments from anywhere, giving your team flexibility.

Deft is a truly cloud-ready solution, enabling remote asset management and continuous integration into your lab’s existing workflows, ensuring your transition to a digital lab environment is both seamless and future-proof.

Why Choose Deft?

Without Deft, traditional lab methods can often fall short—relying on memory and handwritten notes introduces the risk of inconsistency, errors, and inefficiencies. With Deft, these risks are minimized by digitally capturing every aspect of your formulation process, ensuring data accuracy, reproducibility, and scalability.

The use of the SiLA2 (Standardization in Lab Automation) Rapid Integration protocol within Deft further enhances the system’s ability to capture, store, and analyze data for audit, verification, and process scaling. This standardized integration is critical as labs increasingly move toward complete digital transformation.

Deft in Action:
Imagine having full visibility into your experiment while interacting with your equipment remotely, capturing live data, and making informed decisions—all from your mobile device. This is the reality with Deft, where workflow control and experimental design are all fully integrated within the app.

Awards and Recognition:
We are proud to announce that Deft won the prestigious Red Dot Award for Innovative Design in 2022, a recognition of its groundbreaking design and utility in transforming the way labs function.

The Future of Labs Starts Here
Ready to take your lab to the next level? Deft is more than just a tool—it’s a platform that propels your lab into the future, enabling digital transformation, enhancing efficiency, and reducing error across all stages of your research.

For more information on how Deft can streamline your workflow and boost lab productivity, reach out to our team today. Book a live demo or get in touch to discuss how we can help revolutionize your lab’s operations.

📧 Contact us at: sales@appliedst.co.uk
📞 Or call: +44 (0) 1642 717550

About Applied Scientific Technologies (AST):
Founded in 2017 and based in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, AST is an innovative leader in laboratory automation, digital connectivity, and hardware integration. Specializing in solutions for the chemical, pharmaceutical, physical, and life sciences industries, we are proud to support your journey towards full laboratory digitalisation.

Deft – Revolutionising Lab Efficiency Through Digital Integration