Build Your Lab: TraxStar’s SynQ Brings No-code Workflows to Manufacturing Testing

A fresh tool for lab teams that want to move fast

TraxStar this week introduced SynQ, a drag-and-drop platform that promises to let lab and quality teams design fully custom testing workflows without writing code. The pitch is simple: give technicians and engineers a visual tool to build the exact process they need—sampling, tests, handoffs, device control and data capture—rather than forcing them to conform to a one-size-fits-all system.

That matters because many manufacturers still rely on spreadsheets, paper, or old lab software that is rigid and slow to change. SynQ aims to shorten the time it takes to turn a new process or a regulatory tweak into working software. If it delivers, teams could spend less time on workarounds and more time running tests and improving product quality.

TraxStar says the platform is aimed at discrete manufacturers—think electronics, automotive components and specialty chemicals—where labs support complex, repeatable checks that must connect to instruments on the shop floor. The company positions SynQ as a middle ground between lightweight checklist apps and heavyweight lab information systems.

How SynQ works and where it differs from older lab systems

At its core SynQ is a no-code/low-code workflow builder. Users drag blocks that represent steps—collect a sample, run an instrument, verify a reading, or route an item for rework—and wire them together into a sequence. Each block can carry validation rules, conditional logic and human tasks so a process can branch when needed.

That low-code approach is now common in business software, but SynQ tries to stand out in two ways. First, it ties workflow steps directly to lab instruments and data streams, aiming to make device control and automated capture part of the same canvas rather than separate pieces. Second, it emphasizes customization: instead of forcing labs into rigid templates, SynQ lets teams design processes that match their actual shop-floor reality.

Compared with traditional LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) or MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), SynQ looks lighter and more modular. LIMS and MES often require heavy consulting and months of configuration. SynQ’s promise is faster setups and easier changes, though that speed can come with limits—complex enterprises often rely on deep integrations, specialized validations and long-established compliance features those older platforms already provide.

Practical ways manufacturers might use SynQ

TraxStar highlights several concrete use cases. A battery maker could build a workflow to route cells through specific charge/discharge tests, capture instrument readings, and automatically flag batches that fail tolerance checks. An electronics contract manufacturer might create sampling plans that tie a line-side tester to a traceability record, so each board’s test results follow it through assembly.

For lab managers the main benefit is time saved. Instead of waiting weeks for IT or a vendor to retool a process, a team can tweak the visual flow and deploy changes quickly. That flexibility can cut cycle times, lower rework, and reduce manual transcription errors—small wins that stack into real productivity gains.

But the upside depends on adoption. Teams used to spreadsheets may still need support to formalize their steps and decide what belongs in an automated flow. Big industrial clients will also judge SynQ on whether it can scale and play nicely with existing enterprise systems.

Under the hood: integrations, security and deployment

SynQ includes APIs and device connectors so it can communicate with laboratory instruments and other factory systems. TraxStar says it supports common data formats and can link to analytics or reporting tools, which helps turn raw readings into usable records.

On deployment, SynQ is offered with flexible options: cloud for teams that want fast setup, and on-premises for customers with strict data residency or regulatory needs. The company also notes attention to security and audit trails—important in regulated industries where who did what and when has to be provable.

That said, buyers should check specifics: the range of device drivers, the depth of API access, and whether SynQ’s validation tools meet industry rules for things like electronic signatures and traceability.

Where TraxStar fits and what to watch next

TraxStar is positioning SynQ as a practical alternative for labs that need custom workflows but don’t want the time and cost of a classic LIMS overhaul. The company’s go-to-market leans on partnerships with systems integrators and pilot customers in discrete manufacturing. Pricing and broad availability were not detailed beyond pilot programs and early deployments.

For readers tracking lab software, the next signs of traction to watch are customer case studies showing shorter deployment times, integration depth with instruments, and how the platform handles regulated workflows. If SynQ can combine visual simplicity with solid integrations and compliance features, it could become a useful tool for many shop-floor labs. If it falls short on integration or validation, buyers may still prefer established LIMS and MES providers despite the slower change process.

Photo: ThisIsEngineering / Pexels

Sources

• prnewswire.com