QB Control
Any setup, any process, any time
Define your hardware setup by software. QB Control lets you create, control and optimize processes — ensuring data integrity and accelerating research while saving time and cost.
Schedule a demoFlexible. Innovative. Limitless.
What is QB Control?
QB Control is a piece of software that runs liquid handling — but it is easier to understand through the roles it plays. Depending on how you deploy it, QB Control can be considered as:
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A software-defined platform for liquid handling solutions
The behaviour of the hardware is defined in software, not fixed in wiring.
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Modular control software for QB Systems solutions and applications
One platform behind QB bioreactors, autosamplers, dosing, multisensing and more.
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A vendor-agnostic operating system for liquid handling
Driving solutions and applications across vendors through OPC-UA integration.
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A retrofitting and development-acceleration platform
Modernize existing equipment or shorten the path from concept to a working process.
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A software platform for skid builders
Replacing traditional OT PLC & HMI development with a configurable, software-defined layer.
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An AI-ready platform
One that contextualizes process data with the system, process, recipe, audit-trail and report definitions plus execution logs, ready for analytics and AI.
In short: QB Control is the software-defined layer that turns modular hardware — QB Modules or equipment you already own — into a coordinated, traceable, automated process.
Freedom, flexibility and confidence to innovate
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Easy integration
Deploy QB Control on QB Modules for turnkey performance, or run it atop existing equipment from other vendors via retrofit kits (signal adapters, I/O expansions, panel upgrades) and software connectors (OPC-UA, REST, MQTT) — protecting past investments.
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Data integrity
Compliance, security and efficiency through an integrated audit trail, role-based access, versioning, calibration records, and export to PDF or CSV.
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Precision control
Achieved through P&ID loops, event-based logic, cascades and hardware interlocks, all governed by comprehensive alarm policies for safe, accurate operation.
Platform features
QB Control's capabilities
QB Control is organized into modules that together cover the full lifecycle of a process — from inventory and configuration to execution, compliance and reporting. Descriptions below reflect the current platform, including the latest v0.6.4 release. Across these modules the platform exposes 230+ individually licensable features; the depth available in each module — and how many systems, processes, services, devices, sensors and probes you can run — is set by your license tier (see Licensing below).
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Inventory Management
Track hardware, sensors, consumables and software services with live connectivity status. Devices, Services, Lab Equipment and Media tables each have search for large lists.
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System Management
Multi-configuration setup and activation across systems.
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Process Management (Composer)
Parallel multi-process execution and orchestration. Lab equipment can be added or removed from already-deployed processes without creating a new process version, with clearer guided process import.
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User Management
Role-based access control aligned with 21 CFR Part 11.
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Dynamic P&ID
Interactive process visualization and live control. Now with freeform note elements, connections that attach to specific anchor points for realistic piping, adding lab equipment directly from the P&ID editor, and faceplate banners that safely restrict controls in Protect or Interlock mode.
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Recipe Management
Visual, no-code automation designer for multi-step processes. Now with batch scheduling (recurring or one-time runs with a calendar view), a Skipped status for schedule collisions, execution-source tracking, and the ability to reassign a recipe to a different process.
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Runs / Batches Management
Batch organization and full traceability, with a Batch Board showing upcoming active schedules at a glance.
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Calibration Management
Device calibration records and compliance tracking. Guided or manual methods are clearly signposted, and a declared calibration now reserves the device to block conflicting operation.
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Alarms
Centralized, ISA-18.2-compliant alarm management, with a background watchdog that reconciles alarm state against live equipment values every 30 seconds.
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Notifications
Email and system alerting for critical events. Preferences are organized by channel and module, with global notifications when a batch starts or stops and a dedicated email history tab.
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Graphs & Visualizations
Real-time and historical data overlay with export; disconnected devices are handled gracefully and clearly marked.
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Report Management
Automated and dynamic batch reporting (DOCX / PDF).
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Audit Trail
21 CFR Part 11 compliance logging across modules, with events and CSV exports filtered to match your platform license.
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Remote Access
Encrypted, multi-session remote access with mobile support.
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Backup & Export
Scheduled system backup, restore and export.
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License Management
Dynamic, flexible licensing — apply a license file from A4BEE in real time, with no reinstall or downtime. Unlicensed features appear disabled with an explanatory tooltip rather than disappearing.
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Services Catalog
A growing library of control services and lab-equipment types — including cooling chamber, external analog/digital devices, filter cassette, hollow-fiber filter and vials holder, plus a set of tangential-flow filtration services.
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Connectivity
Native OPC-UA, MQTT and Modbus TCP. The OPC-UA Connector can run its own embedded OPC-UA server, letting external OPC-UA clients read from QB Control directly.
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Health Monitoring
Live platform health, including when the system started and how long it has been running.
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Help
A full in-app Help section with guided walkthroughs, screenshots and searchable content covering every module.
Note on electronic signatures
QB Control provides an integrated audit trail, role-based access control, versioning and data integrity aligned with 21 CFR Part 11, but does not currently support electronic signatures. Where electronic-signature workflows are required, they are handled through the customer's LIMS or quality management system.
See it in action
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Dynamic P&ID
Interactive process diagram with live control.
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Graphs & visualizations
Real-time and historical data overlays with export.
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Platform portal
One interface for every module.
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Users & roles
Role-based access control and audit trail.
How our clients use QB Control
One platform, multiple use cases
Run natively on QB Modules
- Centralized integration — control multiple QB modules (pumps, sensors, agitators) from one platform.
- Multi-system orchestration — run single or multiple bioprocess systems simultaneously.
- Real-time parameter control — temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and flow via automated P&ID.
- Plug-and-play operation — auto-discover and configure modules, reusable across setups.
- Process automation — multi-step processes with dosing, sampling, mixing and temperature control.
Extend the capabilities of your SCADA
- Multi-vendor integration — connect existing SCADA and equipment via OPC-UA, Modbus TCP and MQTT.
- Enhanced data management — add traceability, audit trails and compliance (21 CFR Part 11, ISA-18.2).
- Advanced process control — dynamic per-process P&ID, multi-batch support and alarm management.
- Comprehensive analytics — visualization, reporting and real-time analytics (optional ML/AI).
- Scalable architecture — expand SCADA functionality without replacing existing infrastructure.
Retrofit an existing legacy system
- Legacy hardware integration — bridge old systems via Modbus TCP / OPC-UA software and hardware connectors.
- Gradual modernization — combine legacy and new systems progressively, no full replacement.
- Cost-effective upgrades — retrofit existing PLCs with read/write or read-only access.
- Standard protocol support — established industrial communication standards.
- Future-proof evolution — systematic updates while maintaining operational continuity.
Licensing & flexible plans
Comprehensive and limitless
QB Control is licensed along two dimensions:
- Scale — the number of systems, processes, services, devices, sensors and probes the licence covers.
- Advancement — the depth of capabilities and features unlocked, from core operation through full automation and integration.
Licences apply in real time: upload the licence file provided by A4BEE into the QB Control Licensing module, and the new scale and capabilities take effect immediately — no reinstall, no downtime. Mix and match to fit your setup, or ask for a custom licence.
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Basic
Core operation for a single system and process
- 1 system · 1 process
- Up to 10 devices · 6 sensors & probes · services not included
- 7 users · 2 remote sessions · predefined roles
- Core modules: inventory, system & process, dynamic P&ID, alarms, calibration, audit trail, reports; live graphs
- 1 interface language
~80 platform features
Ask for an offer - Most popular
Advanced
Multi-process operations and integrations
- Up to 5 systems · up to 12 processes
- Up to 20 devices · 12 sensors & probes · up to 12 services
- 15 users (Active Directory option) · up to 9 concurrent remote sessions · backup & restore
- Recipe automation (up to 12 recipes) · service profiles · historic graphs · calibration history
- Up to 3 interface languages · email notifications
200+ platform features
Ask for an offer -
Pro
Full capabilities and maximum scalability
- Unlimited systems and processes
- Unlimited services, devices, sensors and probes
- Unlimited users and concurrent remote access · up to 5 custom roles
- Full recipe automation with device & service logic · external reports editor · advanced health monitoring
- Full audit trail across recipes, backup, calibration and remote access
- Up to 6 interface languages · custom UI colours & icons
230+ platform features
Ask for an offer
Got questions? We have answers
Is QB Control compatible with my sensors and pumps?
Yes — QB Control is vendor-agnostic and integrates equipment across standards like Modbus TCP and OPC-UA.
Can I use it in a regulated environment?
Yes — audit trails, role-based access control and versioning align with 21 CFR Part 11 and ISA-18.2. Electronic signatures are not currently supported and are handled through your LIMS or quality management system.
How fast can it be deployed?
Days to weeks. Software-defined configuration removes most of the integration effort.
Does it integrate with SCADA and LIMS?
Yes — QB Control extends SCADA systems and connects to LIMS and other digital ecosystems. The OPC-UA Connector can also run an embedded OPC-UA server for external clients.
Curious to see QB Control in action?
Schedule a demo and see how to accelerate and automate your bioprocesses. Or reach us directly at [email protected].
Contact us
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Disclaimer. The information on this page is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is valid as of the publication date, 20 July 2026, and is subject to change at any time without prior notice — including product capabilities, features, technical specifications, licensing tiers and availability, which may vary by release and by the license level applied. For confirmed and detailed information related to the content of this page, please contact [email protected].