March 18, 2025 · Author: Third Wave Analytics

Upgrading to Lockbox 2.0 Benefits and Approaches

Lockbox 2.0

Lockbox 2.0 contains a new product, Lockbox QMS, and new features, including NGS workflow and CSV import enhancements. In addition, many upgrades have been implemented behind the curtain to ensure that Lockbox is up to date with the latest technology and security. 

Lockbox QMS:

Lockbox QMS is a new Lockbox product that contains three modules described in these linked web pages: Document Control, Quality Events, and Training. Each of these modules is seamlessly integrated with Lockbox LIMS and can interact with objects like Samples, Protocols, and Equipment. Lockbox QMS gives laboratories the ability to track quality events, controlled documents, and training without leaving Lockbox, as described in these articles: Master Lab Compliance with Lockbox QMS Quality Events, Revolutionizing Lab Training Management with Lockbox QMS, and Streamline Document Control with Lockbox QMS. Lockbox QMS is especially helpful to regulated laboratories and contains many features not offered by other QMS vendors. It was designed for seamless integration with Lockbox LIMS and provides the same degree of customizability our clients have come to expect from Lockbox LIMS. 

NGS Workflow Enhancements:

With Lockbox 2.0, clients can configure an end-to-end NGS workflow completely inside Protocol Execution. The new capabilities are designed to streamline and automate lab processes, from sample preparation to sequencing, and to support diverse lab types, from small laboratories with a handful of technicians to larger laboratories with dedicated specialized teams. The new functionalities include flow cell selection automation, direct pool-to-lane assignment, and in-protocol sample sheet creation. 

CSV Import Enhancements:

The updated CSV import tools in Lockbox 2.0 include many new features that help laboratories efficiently upload large data sets and instrument-generated data. New tools include custom field mapping, error detection, validation, and improved Date and Datetime handling. These enhancements reduce manual data entry, minimize errors, and improve workflow consistency. Lockbox CSV import can upload 3,300 records at a time (and in certain objects and configurations, up to 10,000 records), making it a beneficial tool in multiple lab settings.

Critical Bug Fix and Technical Upgrades:

We released a critical bug fix in Lockbox version 1.97. This critical bug fix addresses a potential data integrity issue that could occur when using supported actions. This is just one of many technical upgrades, bug fixes, enhancements, and security improvements included in the latest version.

Customer-Centric Approach to Software Changes

Our changes and enhancements are done in response to customer feedback. We are dedicated to continuous improvement of Lockbox products. We are not only adding valuable new features, we are also improving the overall user experience. We are providing implementors with new powerful features such as flow and query supported actions in Protocols. These innovations give administrators the power to mirror real-life processes in any database object or any action definable in a flow, without the need for software development knowledge. Our new software features adapt and scale for varying lab sizes, technologies, and workflows. Our goal is to continually improve technology while keeping the end user experience constant.

Low Risk to Upgrade

Although no upgrade is completely risk-free, we have taken steps to minimize potential issues. Your data, lightning pages, and page layouts are never affected by upgrading. We take a thoughtful, intentional approach to software changes, and every change is done with minimal customer impact in mind. Third Wave Analytics doesn’t even move a button without a good reason. 

As part of our customer-centric approach to software changes, Third Wave Analytics maintains that upgrades should be as invisible as possible, so that users do not experience unexpected changes. For this reason, changes to existing user interface behavior require approval from our entire Product Team. These types of changes are only approved when they alter a behavior that we believe few customers would have intentionally chosen. Even then, we always include an easy way to revert to the previous behavior, and the Release Notes clearly identify these software changes with the title CRITICAL UPGRADE STEP. With this restrictive approach, we average only about one change to existing user interface behavior per 5-10 minor releases.

We have two types of Lockbox versions: Initial Release and General Availability. Initial Releases undergo testing to confirm that all expected changes work as described and to ensure that no adjacent functionality was broken by the software changes. However, all of our General Availability Releases, such as Lockbox version 2.0, undergo extensive software verification testing to ensure that every Lockbox LIMS function behaves as documented. We follow the same process for this verification as we do for clients who purchase our full software verification package, which is often utilized by regulated labs. The results of this extensive testing are available upon request.

When you choose to upgrade, you get the benefit of all of the Initial Releases and General Availability releases between your current production version and our most recently released version. Our public website provides release highlights for each version. Our Customer Portal provides individual Software Change records for each version, including extensive details about the changes made, identification of any Automatic Changes to Existing Behavior or Required Upgrade Steps, and a description of how to implement the feature if desired. Any questions can be directed to any member of your project team.

Upgrade Approach and Process

Upgrading to Lockbox 2.0 can be a seamless process with minimal risk if approached strategically in a way that makes sense for your organization. Lockbox LIMS offers testing environments and best practices to ensure a smooth transition to Lockbox 2.0 while maintaining productivity. 

Three upgrade scenarios: 

1. Upgrade-Based Rollout 
2. Opportunistic Rollout 
3. Quick Deployment/Minimum Upgrade

Upgrade-Based Rollout

In this approach, the Lockbox upgrade is the reason for the implementation cycle. All the new features are considered for implementation. The upgrade is implemented in a test environment, and the selected features are tested. The upgrade is then moved to production. This approach is common when there is not a feature development cycle in process. 

The process of this upgrade approach is as follows.

1. Upgrade the software in a test environment.
2. Review the release notes, paying particular attention to any critical upgrade steps.
3. Implement desired new features and workflow modifications.
4. Conduct end-to-end testing of all workflows to ensure they function as expected.
5. Upgrade production and migrate workflow changes.

Opportunistic Rollout

In this approach, a Lockbox upgrade is performed with feature implementation. As the feature is being developed in the testing environment, the upgrade is performed. This allows the organization to combine the testing for the new feature with the testing for the new upgrade. This approach seeks to reduce the amount of testing time by delaying the adoption of new Lockbox versions while the custom feature is in development. The upgrade steps are the same as described in the upgrade-based rollout section.

Quick Deployment/Minimum Upgrade

The quickest upgrade path with minimal user impact focuses on updating the software with little to no changes to workflows. The steps to upgrading the software in this manner include:

1. Upgrade the software in a test environment.
2. Review the release notes, paying particular attention to any critical upgrade steps. 
3. Without implementing new features, other than desired critical upgrade steps, test all key existing features and workflows used in your lab.
4. Upgrade to production once testing is completed, migrating any required build.

New features can be introduced over time, as needed, or during future development cycles. A drawback to this approach is that your users will not benefit from the majority of the enhancements in Lockbox 2.0 due to our policy of minimizing automatic changes to behaviour, as discussed above. However, your lab will still benefit from bug fixes, security enhancements, and any implementation of critical upgrade steps.

Testing Environments

All of our Lockbox LIMS implementations include access to 26 sandbox testing environments, many more than necessary. This gives ample flexibility for testing upgrades and new functionality before going live with any changes. For clients implementing new functionality as part of the upgrade, we recommend upgrading to Lockbox 2.0 in a Developer Sandbox and implementing new functionality there, then migrating the functionality to a Partial Copy Sandbox to test with real data. When testing is complete and you are ready to deploy changes into your production environment, the changes can be migrated from the Partial Copy Sandbox to Production. No downtime is needed for the upgrade. However, if significant changes were made to workflows or protocols, it is best practice for your users to log off during the upgrade. We also recommend coordinating with your end users, technical team, and Third Wave Analytics to perform the upgrade at a time that is convenient for users and when Third Wave Analytics support staff is available to assist with any issues that may occur during migration.

Cost

As a Lockbox customer, you have access to all future releases free of charge. Upgrading is included in your Lockbox subscription agreement. However, if you need assistance implementing new features, understanding software changes, or performing configurations, you can contact your Engagement Director for assistance and to discuss associated costs. 

Conclusion

With Lockbox 2.0, laboratories can operate more efficiently and with greater flexibility. The upgrade process is straightforward and low-risk. Third Wave Analytics provides extensive testing environments before any changes are implemented into your production environment. To utilize all the new features of Lockbox 2.0 and get started with the upgrade process, contact your Engagement Director.