We expect roads we drive on to be smooth without bumps and holes and without risk. But behind every smooth stretch of asphalt lies a rigorous process of testing and quality control.
One of Growth Acceleration Partners’ clients plays a critical role in this effort. The Asphalt Institute is the international trade association of petroleum asphalt producers, manufacturers, and affiliated businesses. This organization promotes the safe use and performance of petroleum asphalt through education, engineering, and environmental leadership.
Founded in 1919, the Institute’s members represent 90% of the liquid asphalt produced in North America (with an increasing percentage in international markets). And for the past 12 years, GAP has partnered with the Asphalt Institute to pave the way to their digital transformation with technology.
At the center of this digital evolution — and developed by GAP for this client — is a web-based application called R18LabQMS.
This software’s primary function is to serve as a comprehensive quality management system that consolidates and simplifies laboratory operations. It enables lab managers to replace traditional binders with an intuitive interface where they can manage every aspect of their quality manual, track equipment, assign tasks, and monitor compliance in real-time.
By replacing outdated processes, this software has modernized operations and helped labs streamline compliance with the R18 standard, a critical benchmark for asphalt testing.
Laying the Foundation for Change
When R18LabQMS was first rolled out in 2012, it signaled a major shift in the way asphalt testing labs handled compliance with the R18 standard. The road to compliance had previously been filled with manual processes, bulky binders of paperwork, and a high risk of error. Critical documents were dispersed across spreadsheets, word processors, file cabinets, and binders, creating inefficiencies and potential compliance risks. Labs struggled to keep up with the detailed documentation required by the standard.
Now, with R18LabQMS, this comprehensive SaaS solution paved the way for faster, more efficient operations. This advanced application centralizes all documentation, including calibration records, equipment checks, standardization procedures, maintenance logs, and compliance requirements.
Streamlining Lab Operations
For labs with multiple locations, R18LabQMS acts as a central hub, allowing satellite labs to inherit the parent lab’s quality manual and procedures while still offering room for customization.
“Satellite labs inherit a lot of the same quality manual content but can customize it if they need to,” explains Justin Toon, GAP’s lead on the project. “And if the parent lab updates a section the satellite has customized, the satellite has the option to easily review the changes.”
Maintaining the Equipment & Building Custom Forms
Just as roads need regular maintenance to stay safe, lab equipment must be meticulously managed to ensure accuracy and compliance. R18LabQMS offers a suite of management features for lab equipment records and procedures to be performed on those records. Lab managers can attach procedures using customized schedules, and the application will use those schedules to not only display upcoming calibration dates but also notify relevant users when procedures are due soon or past due.
One of the software’s standout features is its drag-and-drop form builder used to generate procedures. This tool allows labs to create tailored testing procedures and design specific checklists and questionnaires to capture precise data during testing.
Enhanced Security & Tracking Corrective Actions
R18LabQMS provides robust role management features, ensuring that lab personnel have the appropriate level of access based on clearly defined roles.
According to Toon, actions such as performing procedures, updating equipment, and managing lab users are separated by these roles, with primary lab managers able to reassign roles as necessary. The software GAP developed for the Asphalt Institute keeps sensitive data safeguarded, like well-placed guardrails ensuring the safety of all travelers on the road.
When things don’t go exactly right in the lab, R18LabQMS also shines in its ability to track quality management reports, giving labs the tools to quickly address any issues that arise. In an industry where compliance is crucial, the software ensures any potholes in the process are swiftly filled, keeping labs on track and in line with regulations.
A Decade of Partnership and Innovation
Since its debut, GAP has worked to continuously evolve R18LabQMS, which is now supporting over 100 active labs globally. The unified digital platform continues to enhance accessibility, accuracy, and operational productivity, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in laboratory management.
“Over the last several years, we’ve added features like support for different standards and a form builder, continually improving it based on user feedback,” Toon said.
GAP’s development of R18LabQMS is a prime example of how technology can repave the road for traditional industries, making the journey smoother, more efficient, and more secure. GAP has not only helped the Asphalt Institute take the wheel on digital transformation and technology but has also ensured a smooth ride ahead.
For businesses ready to chart their own path toward innovation, GAP is here to pave the way.
