The German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, GRC) is one of Germany's most respected humanitarian organizations worldwide. Founded and operating under the Geneva Conventions, it is a vital member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, with its headquarters in Berlin. The GRC boasts more than three million members, giving it a significant social support base and volunteer-based workforce.
As one of the largest welfare organizations in Germany, the GRC plays a prominent role in providing social welfare services. It is a leading independent welfare association with various activities, including health services, social work, disaster relief, and blood donation. GRC activities include education and training, international assistance, and development projects.
Through its long history and extensive activities, the GRC has built up an infrastructure and expertise that has enabled it to respond effectively to various social and natural challenges nationally and internationally.
The GRC's commitment to humanitarian values and human dignity is exemplary and assists people in need in many areas.
For a long time, the German Red Cross (GRC) IT infrastructure was developed by in-house IT specialists, which, combined with the rapid development of technology, made their systems obsolete. The software used until 2020 did not support web access, which limited data communication and information flow. Data could only be managed through paper documents, significantly reducing efficiency and increasing errors.
This situation was particularly disadvantageous for the GRC, given its wide range of activities and the rapid response it requires, such as disaster relief and blood donations. The paper-based system's slowness and potential for error posed a severe risk to efficient operations and prevented the organization from functioning in line with 21st-century requirements.
For the GRC, it was essential to develop a modern, web-based IT infrastructure that could support fast and accurate data management and improve the speed and reliability of data communication.
The solution developed for the German Red Cross (GRC) was a cloud-based digital laboratory software that manages the entire laboratory process - from sampling, processing, and evaluating samples to displaying and returning results - in a single integrated system. This solution allowed GRC to eliminate outdated software and error-prone paper-based data management.
With the introduction of digital lab software, GRC was able to significantly reduce conversions between analog and digital data, which previously required manual data entry and had much potential for error. The cloud-based solution ensured a fast and secure flow of data and immediate availability and traceability of laboratory results.
The system included sample tracking, automated processing, rapid evaluation of results, and efficient feedback management. By taking advantage of the cloud-based infrastructure, GRC was able to provide a scalable and flexible solution that could adapt to changing needs and workloads. Implementing the new system has been a significant step forward for GRC, enabling the organization to implement modern, efficient, and error-free workflows.
An innovative solution was introduced during the development of the German Red Cross digital lab software, revolutionizing the process of sample data entry. What made it unique was that the samplers could record the data directly on their mobile devices, increasing the speed of data upload and reducing the possibility of errors.
This was made possible by the use of QR code technology. The sample donors accessed a dedicated website on their phones, which generated a QR code from the data.
The website was designed to keep the data on the sampler's device, and only the QR code would be scanned into the lab's system. This method ensured the data was entered into the system quickly and without error.
Gloster-Minero also leveraged its deep experience in Docker and Kubernetes-based microservices architectures for the project. These technologies formed the basis of the digital lab, enabling system scalability, reliability, and maintainability. The microservices architecture ensured that the system was flexible to handle different laboratory processes and could be easily integrated into the existing IT infrastructure.
Several factors influenced the German Red Cross (GRC) decision to implement its digital lab software project with Gloster-Minero Ltd. On the one hand, the previous relationship of trust was a significant advantage, as the organization was already familiar with the quality and reliability of the company's work.
On the other hand, the high-quality performance and outstanding problem-solving ability demonstrated during the Proof of Concept (PoC) in the early stages of the project confirmed GRC's decision to choose Gloster-Minero. During PoC, they showed their ability to respond quickly and effectively to emerging challenges and provide innovative solutions to complex problems.
For GRC, it was essential to choose a partner to work with them over the long term and support them in the digital transformation process. PoC's success and positive experience gave GRC the confidence that its project was in the best hands and that the long-term partnership would significantly improve its digital capabilities.
The digital laboratory software introduced by the German Red Cross is currently being tested in two laboratories, and the project's future looks promising. The next step is to extend the system to the entire German network, allowing the GRC to benefit from the digital transformation on a national level.
Following a successful national roll-out, plans are underway to extend the system to the European level. This move could significantly increase the GRC's efficiency and improve the quality of services across the continent, enabling the organization to become at the forefront of digital innovation in the international healthcare sector.
The expansion will improve the organization's operational efficiency, standardize laboratory processes, and improve healthcare quality. The successful implementation of the project could further strengthen GRC's market position and open up new opportunities in the international healthcare market.
