QB Control vs Lucullus PIMS Comparison
Lucullus® PIMS vs. QB Control
Comprehensive Comparison for Bioprocessing Automation
1. Executive Summary
Lucullus® PIMS (Process Information Management System) from Securecell is the bioprocess industry's most established software-only PIMS/SCADA platform, with over 25 years of continuous development. It excels at multi-vendor data aggregation, design of experiments (DoE) integration, sample management, and enterprise-scale data warehousing — all backed by an Oracle® database.
The core distinction: Lucullus is a software layer designed to sit on top of existing bioreactor hardware from multiple vendors. QB Control is a complete platform — hardware and software designed together as one unified system — but with OPC-UA connectivity that also allows it to integrate and control third-party equipment when needed.
Replacement Viability Matrix
| Scenario | Lucullus PIMS | QB Control | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| New greenfield lab (1–12 bioreactors) | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control — unified hardware + software, faster deployment |
| Adding vessels to an existing Lucullus-controlled lab | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ | Lucullus — leverage existing infrastructure; QB for new standalone vessels |
| CDMO with mixed vendor bioreactors | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ | Lucullus — broader driver library; QB Control's OPC-UA connector enables integration with Sartorius, etc. |
| R&D lab wanting turnkey automation | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control — plug-and-play, no integrator, no Oracle DB |
| Enterprise multi-site data harmonization | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ | Lucullus — Enterprise edition with centralized Oracle DB |
| Academic teaching lab | ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control — zero IT overhead, browser UI, modular hardware |
| Process development with DoE focus | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ | Lucullus — native DoE integration and data analytics tools |
| Pilot scale (10–50L), new build | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control — hardware + software from one vendor, lower TCO |
2. Platform Philosophy
Lucullus PIMS — Software-Defined Data Integration
Lucullus was born from the need to unify data from heterogeneous bioprocess equipment. Its philosophy is: "connect to everything, centralize all data, enable cross-experiment analysis." It assumes the lab already has bioreactors (Sartorius, Getinge/Applikon, Eppendorf, Infors, etc.) and provides the software layer to monitor, control, and analyze processes across those vendors.
This makes Lucullus a middleware platform — powerful for data aggregation but dependent on third-party hardware and custom driver development for each new device.
The analogy: Lucullus is like a universal TV remote that can control any brand of TV — powerful but requires programming for each new device. QB Control is like an Apple TV where hardware and software are designed together — but one that also speaks HDMI-CEC (OPC-UA) to control other brands when needed.
3. Architecture & Hardware
| Aspect | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Software platform | Windows desktop application (client-server) | Browser-based (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) |
| Database | Oracle® (XE for standalone, full Oracle for enterprise) | Local on QB Edge, no external DB required |
| Hardware dependency | Third-party bioreactors + controllers | QB Modules (20+ purpose-built PoE devices) |
| Controller | Existing bioreactor controllers (Getinge i-Control, ez-Control, my-Control, Sartorius, etc.) | QB Edge industrial PC |
| Communication protocols | OPC UA, OPC DA, RS232, RS485, custom drivers | Ethernet (TCP/IP), OPC UA, Modbus, MQTT, REST API, Profibus, Serial |
| Device integration method | Custom driver development per device or standard interface adapters | Auto-discovery for QB Modules (plug-and-play); OPC-UA connector for third-party equipment |
| Deployment editions | Standalone (up to 8 bioreactors), Client-Server, Enterprise (multi-site) | Single QB Edge (scales with QB Switch expanders) |
| Client installation required | Yes — Windows application + Oracle client | No — any device with a modern browser |
| IT infrastructure | Windows Server, Oracle DB, network configuration, driver installation | Single QB Edge unit, PoE cables, standard Ethernet |
| Server OS | Windows / Windows Server | Linux-based QB Edge (managed internally) |
Hardware Ecosystem Comparison
Lucullus operates as a software-only platform and does not manufacture any process hardware. It connects to third-party bioreactor controllers, sensors, pumps, and analyzers through device-specific drivers. This means every new device type requires Securecell (or the customer) to develop or commission a driver — a process that can take weeks to months.
QB Edge — central controller unit (7x PoE ports)
QB Pump — peristaltic (3-roller, 4-roller) and centrifugal
QB Syringe Pump — precision low-flow sampling
QB Multisensor — up to 6 Hamilton or Mettler Toledo sensors
QB Pressure Sensor — single-use IBP transducers
QB Multiscale — up to 6 industrial scales
QB Gasflow — dual mass flow controllers (Air, O₂, CO₂, N₂, etc.)
QB Thermo — heating/cooling (TCU or heating mat)
QB Agitator — overhead stirrer and sealed-tank variants
QB Multiagitator — 2 or 6 vessel simultaneous stirring
QB Selector Valve — 24-position automated path switching
QB Pinch Valve — dual flow on/off control
QB Light — LED control for photobioreactors
QB Switch — network expander (+7 PoE ports)
QB Foam Sensor — optical non-contact foam/liquid level detection
QB Tanks — 1L, 3L, and custom up to 10L glass bioreactor vessels
Deployment Topology Comparison
The physical deployment footprint of Lucullus and QB Control represents a fundamental architectural difference in how each platform manages hardware, data, and control.
| Component | Lucullus PIMS | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Central database server | Oracle instance (dedicated Windows machine or VM) | None — embedded on QB Edge |
| Control orchestration | Distributed across bioreactor controllers + Lucullus workstations | Centralized QB Edge (single Linux appliance) |
| Client workstations | Minimum 1, typically 2–5 (Windows machines) | None required — any device with a browser |
| Network complexity | Corporate IT network (firewalls, domain controller, VPN) | Simple Ethernet + PoE switch |
| Minimum devices | 4+ machines (Oracle server, Windows client, OPC gateway, bioreactor controller) | 1 device (QB Edge) + standard PoE switch |
| Physical footprint | Distributed: server room (Oracle) + lab workstations | Compact: QB Edge (shoebox-sized) sits on bench or rack |
| Power infrastructure | Multiple UPS units, separate power circuits | Single 48V DC 220W supply, PoE integrated |
| Cabling requirements | Network cable (Oracle ↔ workstation), RS232/RS485 (controllers), custom adapters | Single Ethernet cable per QB Module (daisy-chain via PoE) |
Lucullus topology: Multiple distributed nodes (Oracle DB server in a server room, 1–2+ Windows workstations in the lab, OPC gateways for device communication, each bioreactor controller operating semi-autonomously). Data flows from bioreactors → OPC server → Lucullus → Oracle DB. Any network interruption between nodes breaks the system.
Network & Infrastructure Requirements
Deploying Lucullus and QB Control demands very different IT and operational support structures.
| Requirement | Lucullus PIMS | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Database administration | Oracle DBA required — license management, backup/recovery, schema design, query optimization | None — embedded time-series database, automatic backups |
| Windows patching & updates | Monthly security patches, OS updates, antivirus management for all client machines | Firmware updates via QB Edge web UI (infrequent, non-disruptive) |
| OPC licensing & gateways | OPC server license ($5K–$20K), gateway maintenance, driver versioning | No OPC-UA licensing; native protocol support |
| Network architecture | Corporate IT governance, VLAN configuration, firewalls for DB access, VPN for remote monitoring | Plug-and-play; PoE switch + single Ethernet cable per module |
| IT staffing (annual cost) | Database admin (0.5 FTE, $40K–$60K), systems admin (0.2 FTE, $15K–$25K), IT support escalations | Zero — device manages itself; browser access only |
| Cybersecurity burden | Windows credential management, Oracle authentication, firewall rules, audit logging configuration | HTTPS + standard browser security; no external DB exposure |
| Backup & disaster recovery | Oracle DB backups, transaction logs, recovery testing (manual process, $10K–$20K/year) | Automatic cloud backup option (optional); local JSON export |
| Remote monitoring | VPN tunneling, Windows RDP, firewall exceptions required | Direct HTTPS browser access from any location with internet |
| Integrator dependency | New device type → contact Securecell → custom driver development (6–12 weeks, $10K–$30K) | New OPC-UA device → auto-discovery within minutes (zero additional cost) |
Key insight: Lucullus was architected in an era when "software + infrastructure" was a bundle; IT and database expertise were assumed. QB Control modernizes this by eliminating the infrastructure entirely — shifting from "hire a DBA" to "plug in a cable."
4. Parallel Processing
| Capability | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-bioreactor control | Yes — up to 8 per standalone, unlimited with Client-Server/Enterprise | Yes — centralized multi-processing from a single QB Edge |
| Centralized multi-processing | Requires aggregation from multiple separate controllers | ✓ All processes run from one QB Edge — no data integration between controllers needed |
| Dynamic P&ID per process | Manual HMI setup per controller/vessel | ✓ Separate plug-and-play generated P&ID/HMI per process, dynamically created |
| Parallel recipe execution | Yes — multiple recipes across different reactors | Yes — multiple recipes in sequence or parallel, recorded as batch |
| Scaling model | Add bioreactors from any vendor, connect via drivers | Add QB Modules via PoE, expand with QB Switch; add 3rd-party via OPC-UA |
| Cross-reactor data comparison | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ — core strength, Oracle-based cross-experiment analytics | ★ ★ ★ — per-process graphs with multi-signal overlay |
| Max vessels per installation | Standalone: 8, Client-Server/Enterprise: practically unlimited | Per QB Edge: 7 direct + expansion via QB Switch |
| Independent process control | Yes — each reactor independently controlled | Yes — separate processes with independent auto-generated P&ID and services |
| Shared resource management | Yes — scheduling tools for shared equipment | Yes — system-level inventory management |
Lucullus advantage: Its cross-experiment data analytics is unmatched. Because everything lives in one Oracle database, scientists can query, compare, and overlay data from hundreds of past runs across different vessel types and scales. This is its core value proposition.
5. Multi-Vendor Integration
| Aspect | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Integration philosophy | Vendor-agnostic — connect to any bioreactor via drivers | Ecosystem-first with OPC-UA bridge — native QB hardware + OPC-UA connector for third-party equipment control |
| Supported bioreactor vendors | Sartorius, Getinge/Applikon (ez-Control, my-Control, i-Control, Livit Flex), Eppendorf, Infors, and others | QB Modules (native); third-party (e.g., Sartorius bioreactors) via OPC-UA connector; additional devices via Modbus, MQTT |
| OPC-UA connector (third-party control) | OPC UA server/client for data exchange | ✓ Built-in OPC-UA connector — enables QB Control to run and control OPC-UA-enabled third-party equipment, serving as a modern control platform for retrofitted legacy hardware |
| Analytical device support | Extensive — offline and online analyzers, scales, pumps, sensors, incubators, DSP devices | Native Hamilton and Mettler Toledo sensors via QB Multisensor; Levitronix flow meters |
| Automated sampling | Numera® — Securecell's hardware companion for automated sampling with event-based scheduling | QB Syringe Pump + QB Selector Valve — native automated sampling service |
| New device integration | Requires driver development (weeks–months) or standard interface adapter | Plug-and-play for QB Modules; OPC UA/Modbus for third-party |
| OPC UA support | ✓ Server and client | ✓ Supported |
| REST API | ✓ Lucullus REST API (documented, Python library available) | ✓ Native REST API |
| MQTT | Not documented as primary protocol | ✓ Native MQTT support |
| SQL access | ✓ Via Oracle database (JDBC/ODBC) | ✓ Native SQL (JDBC/ODBC) |
| IT system integration | OPC, REST API for external software (MATLAB, Python) | HTTP/S, REST API, LDAP/AD, SMTP, custom connectors |
Lucullus advantage: Deep vendor integration ecosystem built over 25+ years. Getinge/Applikon integration is particularly mature (10+ year partnership). Can connect to virtually any bioreactor brand through custom drivers.
6. Software Module Comparison
| QB Control Module | QB Control Capability | Lucullus® PIMS Equivalent | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inventory | Central registry: devices, services, equipment, media | Device management + media management module | Lucullus: deeper media management with component traceability; QB: auto-discovery of hardware |
| System | Logical grouping of inventory into operational units | System configuration | Comparable |
| Process | Multi-process configurations with versioning; process import/export for replication across installations; centralized multi-processing from one QB Edge | Process planning and reactor allocation | QB: process import/export + centralized multi-processing without multiple controllers; Lucullus: integrated DoE planning |
| P&ID | Dynamic, plug-and-play generated P&ID/HMI per process — separate interactive visualization for each concurrent process | Process visualization (HMI screens) | QB: auto-generated P&ID per process from configuration; Lucullus: requires manual HMI configuration |
| Alarms | ISA 18.2 conformant alarm management | Alarm management | Both provide alarm management; QB explicitly conforms to ISA 18.2 |
| Recipe | Visual DAG designer, Batch Board, Executions Board | Recipe management with event-based control | QB: visual drag-and-drop workflow; Lucullus: recipe-based with event triggers |
| Graphs | Per-process live and historical data visualization | Data visualization and trending | Lucullus: stronger cross-experiment comparison; QB: per-process real-time focus |
| Reports | Automated batch reports (PDF, DOCX) | Automatic batch report generation | Comparable — both generate standardized batch reports |
| Runs | Batch execution overview with unique IDs | Batch execution tracking | Comparable |
| Calibration | Calibration management with supported methods (Hamilton, pumps) | Not a core module — depends on device vendor tools | QB: integrated calibration workflow; Lucullus: defers to device-specific tools |
| Audit Trail | Tamper-proof, CFR 21 Part 11 conformant | Audit trail via Oracle database | Both provide audit trails; QB explicitly references CFR 21 Part 11 |
| Users & Roles | RBAC with granular per-module permissions, LDAP/AD | User management | QB: more granular RBAC documented; Lucullus: basic user management |
| Notifications | Email notifications with escalation chains | Notifications (limited documentation) | QB: documented escalation chains and digest mode |
| Backup & Export | Full system backup, scheduled, selective | Database backup (Oracle utilities) | QB: purpose-built backup module; Lucullus: relies on Oracle DBA tools |
| License | Feature-based, device-based, time-based licensing | License management | Both manage licenses |
| Settings | System configuration (timezone, language, safety states) | System settings | Comparable |
| — (not in QB) | — | DoE Integration | Lucullus only — integrated Design of Experiments with 3rd-party DoE tools |
| — (not in QB) | — | Sample Management | Lucullus only — sample tube barcoding, at-line analyzer data retrieval |
| — (not in QB) | — | Media Management | Lucullus only — automated media creation, raw material tracking, storage management |
| — (not in QB) | — | Cross-experiment Analytics | Lucullus only — Oracle-powered multi-run comparison and overlay |
7. Services Catalog & Rapid Deployment
This is QB Control's most distinctive differentiator versus Lucullus PIMS.
| Category | Services | Count | Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH Control | pH Control by Base & CO₂, pH Control by Base & Acid, pH Control by One Pump, pH One Pump PID, pH PID Control, PID Reference | 6 | Continuous |
| Temperature Control | Temperature Control by TCU, Temperature Control by Heating Mat, Temperature Control by Steam & Water, Split Temp Control, Set Circulator Temperature, Set Heating Mat Power | 6 | Continuous |
| Pump & Feed Control | Feed Service, Autosubstrate, Set Pump Flow Rate, Set On/Off Pump, Set Centrifugal Pump RPM, Transfer Volume by Pump, Transfer Bolus Mass, Transfer Bolus Volume, Gravimetric Feeding by Peristaltic Pump | 9 | Continuous + Autocomplete |
| Gas Control | O₂ Control, Advanced O₂ Control, Set Mass Flow Controller Flow, Set Sparger Mass Flow | 4 | Continuous |
| Gas Volume Delivery | Set Sparger Volume & Mass Flow | 1 | Autocomplete |
| Sampling | Automated Sampling, Sample by Syringe Pump, Sampler Cleaning | 3 | Continuous + Autocomplete |
| Stirring & Agitation | Stirring Service, Set Agitator Speed | 2 | Continuous |
| Foam Control | Foam Control, Foam Control by Antifoam Reagent | 2 | Continuous |
| Valve Control | Set Selector Valve Position, Set Valve Position | 2 | Continuous |
| LED & Light Control | LED Control, LED Control Scheduler | 2 | Continuous |
| Total | 37 | 32 Continuous + 5 Autocomplete |
Service Profiles provide reusable parameter templates (pH Control, Temperature Control, Gas Flow, Stirring, Foam Control, etc.) so operators can switch strategies or adjust parameters in minutes without re-engineering the control logic.
Lucullus's Approach: Custom Configuration
Lucullus provides process control capabilities, but each control strategy must be configured per-device based on the connected bioreactor controller's capabilities and Lucullus drivers. There is no equivalent "service template library" that works out-of-the-box. Event-based process control is possible but requires configuration of triggers, conditions, and actions specific to the connected hardware.
Deployment Time Comparison
| Activity | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Install software | 2–4 hours (Windows, Oracle, client) | 0 — browser-based, pre-installed on QB Edge |
| Connect first bioreactor (QB hardware) | Days–weeks (driver development/verification) | Minutes (plug PoE cable, auto-discovery) |
| Connect third-party bioreactor (OPC-UA) | Days–weeks (driver development) | Hours (configure OPC-UA connector endpoint) |
| Configure first control loop | Hours (driver + recipe + alarm setup) | Minutes (select Service Template, apply Profile) |
| Switch from pH-by-CO₂ to pH-by-acid | Reconfigure recipe/control logic | Select different service template |
| Add a second identical vessel | Hours (duplicate configuration, verify) | Minutes (plug in modules, assign to process) |
| Go from 0 to running experiment | Weeks (typical with integrator support) | Hours to days (self-service) |
8. Recipe Engine
Designer Board:
Visual drag-and-drop directed acyclic graph (DAG) workflow editor — intuitive graphical recipe creation
Operations blocks: Start, Wait, End, Stop, Conditional, Wait Until, Counter, Polygon (piecewise linear), PID, Split, Merge, Manual Operation
Services blocks: any of the 37 service templates (Autocomplete or Continuous)
Recipe versioning with state management: Draft (Yellow) → Verified (Blue) → Validated (Green) → Archived (Red)
Recipe import/export — share recipes across QB Control installations for replication and standardization
Duplicate recipe for rapid variation
Batch Board:
Create batches for processes and assign recipes
Single recipe execution — execute one recipe and record it as a batch with full traceability
Multiple recipe execution — run multiple recipes in user-defined sequence or in parallel , all recorded as a single batch
Real-time monitoring of recipe execution with status indicators
Recipe execution control: Execute, Pause, Resume, Cancel
Pre-Execution Checklist — mandatory system-enforced safety validation before recipe start
Live-view of currently executing recipes
Executions Board:
Historical list of all executed batches with status: During Execution, Paused, Hold, Completed, Failed, Aborted
Filter by system, process, or status
Export execution list and visual recipe diagrams (CSV, PNG)
Direct links to currently running recipes
Process Import/Export:
- Process configuration import/export — complete process definitions (devices, services, recipes, P&ID layouts) can be exported and imported across QB Control installations, enabling rapid replication of validated setups between labs or sites
Lucullus: Recipe and Event-Based Control
Lucullus provides recipe management for defining process sequences with event-based triggers:
Recipe creation for predefined process execution
Event-based process control — trigger actions based on sensor readings (e.g., temperature shift when OD reaches threshold)
Process planning with reactor allocation
Integration with DoE modules for systematic experiment design
Automated sampling scheduling (with Numera® hardware)
Batch execution tracking
Comparison
| Aspect | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Recipe creation method | Script/form-based with event triggers | Visual DAG drag-and-drop designer |
| Recipe versioning | Not documented in detail | Draft → Verified → Validated → Archived (color-coded) |
| Recipe import/export | ✓ | ✓ — full recipe import/export for cross-installation sharing |
| Process import/export | Limited | ✓ — complete process configuration import/export (devices, services, recipes, P&ID) |
| Pre-execution safety | Not documented as system-enforced | Mandatory Pre-Execution Checklist |
| Event-based control | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ — sophisticated event/trigger system with Numera integration | ★ ★ ★ ★ — Conditional, Wait Until, and sensor-based operations |
| DoE integration | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ — native 3rd-party DoE module integration | ★ ★ — not a primary feature |
| Visual workflow | Limited — form/script-based | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ — visual DAG with drag-and-drop |
| Single recipe → batch | ✓ | ✓ — single recipe execution recorded as a batch |
| Multiple recipes → batch | ✓ | ✓ — multiple recipes in user-defined sequence or parallel, recorded as one batch |
| Parallel recipe execution | ✓ | ✓ — user chooses sequence or parallel mode |
| Batch tracking | ✓ — batch reports and data storage | ✓ — Batch Board and Executions Board with status indicators |
9. Regulatory Compliance
| Requirement | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| FDA 21 CFR Part 11 | Supported — electronic records, audit trail via Oracle DB | ✓ Designed for conformance — audit trail, access control, electronic records |
| EU Annex 11 | Supported (implied by pharma customer base) | ✓ Explicitly referenced |
| GAMP 5 Category | Category 5 (custom software with device-specific drivers) | Category 4 (configurable software) |
| ISA 18.2 (Alarm Management) | Not explicitly documented | ✓ Conformance documented |
| ISA-88 (Batch Control) | Partial — recipe-based batch control | Recipe Designer follows batch principles |
| Data Integrity (ALCOA+) | Oracle database with structured, traceable storage | ✓ ALCOA+ principles explicitly stated |
| Audit Trail | Via Oracle database logging | Purpose-built Audit Trail module covering all system modules |
| Role-Based Access Control | User management with access control | Granular RBAC with per-module, per-action permissions |
| Electronic Signatures | Supported (for regulated environments) | ◐ On roadmap (not in current version) |
Validation Effort Impact
GAMP 5 Category is the critical difference:
- Lucullus = Category 5 (Custom): Device-specific drivers constitute custom code. Each new driver must be validated individually. Every Lucullus installation is unique because it connects to different hardware combinations. Validation effort is proportional to the number and complexity of connected devices. Organizations typically allocate 50–100% more validation effort for Category 5 vs. Category 4 software.
Validation Effort Comparison
| Validation Activity | Lucullus PIMS | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| GAMP Category | Category 5 (custom, Oracle) | Category 4 (configurable) |
| IQ/OQ/PQ effort | 8–16 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
| Custom validation scripts | Required (Oracle queries, OPC links) | Minimal (pre-validated services) |
| Change control complexity | High (Oracle schema + OPC + Windows) | Low (firmware update, auto-validated) |
| Re-validation triggers | Any DB schema change, OS patch, OPC config | Only QB Control version upgrades |
| Electronic signatures | Not built-in (3rd party) | On roadmap (not yet available) |
| Audit trail | Available (database-level) | Native (every action logged, ALCOA+) |
10. Pricing, Licensing & TCO
Direct Pricing Comparison
| Component | Lucullus® PIMS (Estimated) | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Software license | ~$30,000–80,000+ (varies by edition and bioreactor count) | Included with QB hardware (perpetual license) |
| Oracle database license | $0 (XE for standalone) to $10,000–50,000+ (full Oracle for enterprise) | $0 — no external database required |
| Bioreactor hardware | Third-party — $30,000–100,000+ per bioreactor | QB Modules ecosystem included in system price |
| Driver development | $5,000–20,000 per device type (if custom driver needed) | $0 — all QB Modules auto-discover |
| System integrator | $10,000–50,000+ (installation, configuration, validation) | $0 — self-service plug-and-play |
| Windows Server license | $500–2,000 | $0 — QB Edge runs its own OS |
| Annual maintenance/support | ~15–25% of license cost per year | Paid support tiers (Basic, Standard, Premium) — chosen by client |
| Training | $5,000–15,000 (formal Securecell training courses) | QB Systems Online Portal + documentation (self-paced, included) |
| Configuration | QB Control Price |
|---|---|
| Entry-level system (1 bioreactor) | $15,000–25,000 USD |
| 4-bioreactor lab setup | $60,000–85,000 USD |
| 6-bioreactor lab setup | ~$100,000 USD (hardware) |
| Pilot setup (8–12 bioreactors) | $150,000–250,000 USD |
| System integrator cost | $0 (self-setup, plug-and-play) |
| Workstation hardware | $0 (any device with a browser) |
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership (4-Bioreactor Lab)
| Cost Component | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Software license | $50,000 | $0 (included) |
| Oracle DB (standalone XE) | $0 | $0 |
| Bioreactor hardware (4 vessels + controllers) | $120,000–200,000 | $60,000–85,000 (all-inclusive) |
| Driver integration | $15,000 | $0 |
| System integrator / installation | $20,000 | $0 |
| Windows Server + workstations | $3,000 | $0 |
| 5-year maintenance (software) | $37,500 (est. 15%/yr) | $15,000–25,000 (support tier) |
| 5-year Oracle DBA support | $10,000 | $0 |
| Training | $10,000 | $0 (online portal) |
| 5-Year Total | $265,500–345,500 | $75,000–110,000 |
| Savings with QB Control | — | $155,500–270,500 (58–78% lower) |
Note: Lucullus pricing is estimated based on typical enterprise bioprocess software costs. Securecell does not publish list prices. Actual costs may vary significantly based on configuration, region, and negotiation.
Licensing Model
| Aspect | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| License type | Annual or subscription (typical for enterprise software) | Perpetual license — one-time purchase |
| Per-bioreactor licensing | Commonly licensed by bioreactor count or edition tier | Device-based and feature-based licensing |
| Oracle license | Not included in Lucullus — customer's responsibility for enterprise editions | Not applicable |
| Recurring costs | Annual license renewal + Oracle maintenance | Optional paid support (Basic/Standard/Premium) |
| Upgrade path | Paid version upgrades | Software updates via QB Edge management interface |
11. Industry Fit Analysis
Biotechnology (Cell Culture, Fermentation)
| Criterion | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-vendor bioreactor support | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ | Lucullus |
| Turnkey lab automation | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control |
| Cross-experiment data analytics | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ | Lucullus |
| Time to first experiment | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control |
| Automated sampling | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Numera) | ★ ★ ★ ★ (QB Syringe + Selector Valve) | Lucullus |
| Cost per bioreactor setup | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control |
Pharmaceutical (Process Development)
| Criterion | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoE integration | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ | Lucullus |
| Regulatory validation effort | ★ ★ ★ (GAMP 5) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (GAMP 4) | QB Control |
| Data integrity for submissions | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ | Lucullus |
| Recipe management flexibility | ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control |
| Enterprise scalability | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ | Lucullus |
Cosmetics & Food/Beverage
| Criterion | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small batch flexibility | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control |
| Setup simplicity | ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control |
| Hardware cost | ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control |
| IT overhead | ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control |
Academic Research
| Criterion | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget compatibility | ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control |
| Student ease of use | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control |
| Data analysis tools | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ | Lucullus |
| No IT department needed | ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control |
| Teaching lab scalability | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB Control |
Industry Decision Guide
Biotech R&D / Process Development: Lucullus preferred IF DoE and cross-experiment analytics are the #1 priority; QB preferred IF rapid setup, compliance, and hardware control matter more.
CDMOs: QB wins — fast client changeover, perpetual licensing, no Oracle admin between campaigns.
Academic Research: QB wins — no IT department needed, plug-and-play for teaching labs.
Cosmetics & Fine Chemicals: QB wins — small batches, simple deployment, cost-effective.
GMP Scale-Up: Lucullus can complement QB — use Lucullus for historical data aggregation, QB for real-time control.
12. What QB Control Can Replace
Full Replacement Scenarios
New greenfield lab — building from scratch with no legacy equipment
Small R&D lab (1–6 bioreactors) — where Lucullus's data analytics breadth is not needed
Pilot facility with standardized vessels — all vessels use QB hardware
Academic/teaching lab — budget-sensitive, needs simplicity over analytical depth
Startup biotech — rapid setup, minimal IT, maximum operational speed
Lab with retrofittable Sartorius or other OPC-UA equipment — QB Control's OPC-UA connector can control third-party bioreactors, serving as a modern replacement control platform for legacy hardware
Partial Replacement Scenarios
New vessel additions — run new vessels on QB Control while legacy vessels remain on Lucullus
Satellite labs — use QB Control for smaller satellite operations, Lucullus for main facility
Prototyping/rapid iteration — use QB for early-stage work, transfer to Lucullus for formal studies
Not a Replacement For
Enterprise multi-site deployments — where centralized Oracle data warehouse is essential
Existing installations with 50+ drivers — where Lucullus's vendor integration library is already established
DoE-heavy process development — where Lucullus's native DoE tooling provides irreplaceable value
Numera-dependent workflows — where Securecell's Numera automated sampling hardware is deeply integrated
13. Where QB Control Creates Superior Value
1. Zero Oracle Dependency — Eliminate Database License & Administration
Lucullus pain point: Every Lucullus installation requires Oracle (XE for standalone labs, full Oracle Enterprise for multi-site operations). Oracle licensing is $500–$3,000/year per instance; administration requires a DBA or external consulting ($10K–$30K annually for backup, schema tuning, and recovery testing). If an Oracle database crashes, the entire lab stalls until recovery is complete — a catastrophic scenario in GMP environments.
Value: $8K–$35K/year in saved licensing and DBA labor; eliminates database failure risk.
2. Hardware Ownership — Complete Ecosystem in One Purchase
Lucullus pain point: Lucullus owns no hardware. A typical Lucullus deployment requires assembling components from 3–5 vendors: bioreactors (Sartorius, Getinge, Eppendorf, Infors), controllers (often bundled but sometimes separate), sensors (Hamilton, Mettler Toledo), pumps (Ismatec, Cole-Parmer), and specialized hardware (Amphora feeders, Numera samplers). Integrating these multi-vendor systems creates compatibility testing overhead, version conflicts, and finger-pointing when something breaks.
Value: $30K–$70K in avoided hardware integration labor; unified support reduces troubleshooting time by 70–80%.
3. Unified Control + Data — SCADA + PIMS in One Platform
Lucullus pain point: Lucullus is a PIMS (Process Information Management System) — a data layer only. It aggregates data from bioreactor controllers but does not provide real-time control. Real-time control logic (pump sequences, valve switching, temperature setpoints) lives in separate bioreactor controllers (Getinge i-Control, Sartorius DASGIP, Infors Lucullus controllers). This separation creates a two-system burden: operators must manage real-time control in one system and batch tracking/reporting in another. Data synchronization between PIMS and SCADA is manual and error-prone.
Value: $20K–$50K in eliminated middleware and manual data reconciliation; 50% reduction in operational complexity.
4. No OPC Licensing — Native Module Auto-Discovery
Lucullus pain point: Lucullus relies on OPC (OLE for Process Control) to connect to bioreactor controllers. OPC servers cost $5K–$20K per license; OPC gateways ($10K–$25K) are required for non-OPC devices. Each new device type requires Securecell to develop or commission a driver (6–12 weeks, $10K–$30K). Adding a legacy Sartorius bioreactor to an existing Lucullus setup triggers custom driver development.
Value: $15K–$35K in avoided OPC licensing and custom driver costs; accelerated time-to-deployment for new devices.
5. Self-Service Deployment — Zero Integrator Cost
Lucullus pain point: Deploying Lucullus requires specialized integrators to handle Oracle setup, driver installation, OPC configuration, and Windows environment hardening. A typical Lucullus installation involves 4–8 weeks of integrator engagement ($20K–$50K in labor). Customers cannot self-install; they are locked into vendor support for even basic expansions.
Value: $20K–$50K in avoided integrator labor per deployment; customers regain operational independence.
6. Modern Protocols & Integration — REST API, MQTT, SQL
Lucullus pain point: Lucullus relies on legacy OPC and proprietary connectors. Integrating Lucullus with modern data warehouses, AI/ML pipelines, or cloud analytics requires custom ETL development (4–12 weeks, $30K–$100K). The REST API is read-only; two-way integration is not supported.
Value: $50K–$150K in avoided custom middleware; 6–12 month acceleration of advanced analytics initiatives.
7. Unified Control Strategy Library — 37 Pre-Built Services
Lucullus pain point: Lucullus requires custom script development or manual controller reprogramming for each control strategy variation (e.g., pH-stat via acid vs. pH-stat via CO₂). Switching strategies between experiments involves reconfiguring bioreactor controllers and rewriting Lucullus batch logic.
Value: $500K–$1M/year in added throughput for R&D labs (enables 50–80% more experiments per year).
8. Perpetual Licensing — True Cost Ownership & Independence
Lucullus pain point: Lucullus requires annual license renewals (Oracle + application), subscription fees for cloud features, and regular updates that often cascade into higher-tier pricing. A 5-year Lucullus commitment (6 vessels, Enterprise edition) costs $150K–$250K in software licensing alone, excluding Oracle. Customers face vendor lock-in and unpredictable cost escalation.
Value: $100K–$200K in avoided licensing costs over 10 years; predictable, transparent TCO.
9. Agile Validation & Regulatory Compliance — Category 4 GAMP
Lucullus pain point: Lucullus is custom software at the control level, requiring IQ/OQ/PQ validation under GAMP Category 5 (custom-built software). Validation requires 14–20 weeks of effort, $35K–$75K in consulting, and extensive documentation. Any system update requires re-validation.
Value: $35K–$65K per system in validation cost savings; 50–70% faster time-to-production for regulated environments.
14. Gaps & Limitations
Where Lucullus PIMS Genuinely Wins
| Area | Lucullus Advantage | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-experiment analytics | Oracle-powered multi-run comparison, trending, and overlay across hundreds of experiments | Critical for process development teams doing scale-up studies |
| Design of Experiments (DoE) | Native integration with 3rd-party DoE tools for systematic experiment planning | Essential for structured process optimization |
| Multi-vendor hardware support (breadth) | 25+ years of driver library for Sartorius, Getinge, Eppendorf, Infors, and dozens more (including non-OPC devices) | Still broader than QB's OPC-UA reach — essential for labs with legacy non-OPC equipment |
| Enterprise multi-site | Enterprise edition enables cross-site data harmonization via centralized Oracle DB | Critical for pharma companies with global R&D operations |
| Numera automated sampling | Securecell's purpose-built automated sampling + sample prep (filtration, dilution) hardware | Numera is a best-in-class automated sampling platform |
| Media management | Automated culture media creation, raw material tracking, storage optimization | Unique workflow feature not in QB Control |
| Sample management | Barcode-based sample tracking, at-line analyzer integration, sample tube preparation | More mature sample lifecycle management |
| Data analytics depth | Overlay, compare, model data from different experiments, vessels, and scales | Oracle SQL gives analysts unlimited query flexibility |
| Established customer base | 25+ years, deployed at Teva, IDT Biologika, TU Wien, Amyris, and hundreds of others | Proven at enterprise scale |
| Amphora multi-feed | Lucullus-driven gravimetric single and multi-feed control station | Specialized hardware for complex feeding strategies |
Honest Assessment
For a lab that already has Lucullus with Numera and 10+ bioreactors from different vendors, switching to QB Control would require replacing all process hardware — an unrealistic proposition. Lucullus's strength is its ability to be the software backbone for heterogeneous, established labs.
15. Migration & Replacement Scenarios
Scenario 1: Greenfield Lab (New Biotech Startup)
Context: New company, no legacy equipment, 4–8 bioreactors needed for cell culture process development.
| Factor | Lucullus Path | QB Control Path |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware procurement | Multiple vendor negotiations (bioreactors + controllers + sensors) | Single order — QB Systems (everything included) |
| Software licensing | $50K+ (license + Oracle) | $0 additional (included) |
| Integration work | Weeks (driver installation, configuration, testing) | Days (plug-and-play, auto-discovery) |
| Time to first experiment | 4–8 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
| Total investment | $200K–400K | $60K–150K |
| Recommendation | — | QB Control — 60–70% lower cost, 75% faster deployment |
Scenario 2: Lab Expansion (Existing Lucullus Customer)
Context: Pharma R&D lab with Lucullus managing 6 Applikon bioreactors. Wants to add 4 more vessels for a new project.
| Option A: Expand Lucullus | Option B: Add QB Control in Parallel |
|---|---|
| Buy 4 more Applikon bioreactors + controllers | Buy 4 QB Control systems |
| Commission Lucullus drivers (already available for Applikon) | Plug-and-play setup |
| Integrate into existing Oracle DB | Standalone — separate data, exportable via REST API/CSV |
| $120K–200K (hardware only) | $60K–85K (hardware + software) |
| Full data continuity in Lucullus | Data in separate QB system (exportable) |
| Best if: data continuity with existing runs is critical | Best if: new project is independent, budget-conscious |
Scenario 3: Academic Teaching Lab
Context: University needs 6 benchtop bioreactors for undergraduate teaching.
| Factor | Lucullus Path | QB Control Path |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $150K+ (minimum viable setup) | $80K–100K |
| IT support required | Windows Server, Oracle DBA, network admin | None — browser on any laptop |
| Student learning curve | Complex desktop application, multi-screen | Modern browser UI, intuitive P&ID |
| Maintenance | Oracle patches, Windows updates, driver updates | QB Edge firmware updates |
| Recommendation | — | QB Control — lower cost, zero IT, student-friendly |
Scenario 4: CDMO (Contract Development & Manufacturing)
Context: CDMO serving multiple clients, each with different bioreactor preferences.
| Factor | Lucullus Path | QB Control Path |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-vendor flexibility | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ — can connect to any client's preferred bioreactor | ★ ★ ★ — limited to QB hardware ecosystem |
| Client data segregation | Oracle schemas + access control | Separate processes with RBAC |
| Enterprise reporting | Centralized reporting across all projects | Per-QB Edge reporting |
| Recommendation | Lucullus — CDMOs need vendor-agnostic flexibility | QB Control for dedicated client lines with standardized vessels |
Scenario 5: Modernization (Replacing Legacy Bioreactor Controllers)
Context: Lab replacing 15-year-old bioreactor controllers, reconsidering entire automation stack.
| Factor | Keep Lucullus (Upgrade) | Switch to QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Reuse existing vessels | ✓ (new controllers + Lucullus drivers) | Only if vessels compatible with QB Modules |
| Historical data access | ✓ (same Oracle DB) | Requires data migration/export |
| Cost | $100K–200K (new controllers + integration) | $100K–200K (full QB replacement) |
| Future flexibility | Tied to driver updates for new hardware | Tied to QB Module ecosystem |
| Recommendation | Best if vessels are reusable | Best if doing complete refresh — lower long-term TCO |
Coexistence Architecture
QB handles real-time bioreactor control — SCADA layer: vessel monitoring, recipe execution, setpoint management, multi-process orchestration
Lucullus aggregates data from QB + other sources — PIMS layer: historical data warehousing, cross-experiment analytics, DoE tool integration via REST API or OPC-UA
This is a realistic hybrid scenario where QB replaces Lucullus's control functions but keeps Lucullus for data warehousing and advanced analytics
Architecture flow:
QB Edge → OPC-UA / REST API / MQTT → Lucullus PIMS server → Oracle DB → DoE tools
In this model, QB Control provides lightweight, real-time process control while Lucullus maintains its strength in multi-run historical analysis. Customers can migrate incrementally: run QB for new processes, stream data to Lucullus for aggregation, and eventually retire Lucullus's control layer while preserving its data repository.
Migration Risk Assessment
| Risk Factor | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Historical data loss | High — Oracle DB not directly portable | Export via Lucullus REST API or Oracle dump before migration; archive on shared storage |
| OPC driver incompatibility | Medium — existing OPC configs won't transfer | QB auto-discovers modules; OPC-UA enables integration with third-party legacy bioreactors |
| Staff retraining | Low — QB browser UI simpler than Lucullus | 1–2 day QB training vs. 1–2 weeks Lucullus; self-paced QB Systems Online Portal accelerates onboarding |
| Recipe re-implementation | Medium — Lucullus recipes must be rebuilt | QB Services Catalog provides 37 pre-built control strategies; 80–90% automation possible via drag-and-drop |
| Regulatory re-validation | Medium — new system requires IQ/OQ/PQ | GAMP Category 4 reduces effort 50–70% compared to Lucullus Category 5; QB validation package includes templates |
16. Competitive Positioning Strategy
Positioning Statement
Sales Arguments Table
| Client Objection | QB Control Response |
|---|---|
| "We already use Lucullus" | "QB Control is not asking you to rip out Lucullus. Consider it for new vessel additions, satellite labs, or standalone projects where Lucullus's Oracle overhead isn't justified." |
| "Lucullus supports all our bioreactor brands" | "QB Control's OPC-UA connector can now monitor and control third-party OPC-UA equipment like Sartorius bioreactors. You get vendor integration without custom drivers, Oracle infrastructure, or Windows servers." |
| "Lucullus has better data analytics" | "For cross-experiment analytics across hundreds of historical runs, Lucullus's Oracle backbone is powerful. But for real-time process control with turnkey automation, QB Control's Services Catalog is faster to deploy and easier to maintain." |
| "We need DoE integration" | "This is a genuine Lucullus strength. QB Control can export data via REST API or CSV for external DoE tools, but Lucullus's native integration is more seamless." |
| "We have Numera for automated sampling" | "QB Control offers native automated sampling via QB Syringe Pump + QB Selector Valve. It's a different architecture but achieves the same outcome — without requiring a separate Numera purchase." |
| "Lucullus is proven at enterprise scale" | "Absolutely — for multi-site pharma with centralized data needs. But for lab and pilot-scale bioprocessing, QB Control is purpose-built with lower complexity and lower cost." |
| "Our validation team knows Lucullus" | "QB Control is GAMP 5 Category 4 (configurable) vs. Lucullus's Category 5 (custom). Your validation team will spend 50–70% less time on QB Control documentation." |
| "We need to keep our existing Sartorius bioreactors" | "QB Control's OPC-UA connector can control your existing Sartorius equipment. You can retrofit your legacy bioreactors with a modern browser-based interface and centralized multi-processing — no need to replace working hardware." |
| "We run multiple processes from different controllers" | "QB Control runs all processes centrally from one QB Edge with separate dynamic P&ID per process. No more integrating data from multiple controllers — everything is natively centralized." |
| "We want flexibility in recipe execution" | "QB Control supports drag-and-drop recipe design, recipe and process import/export, single recipe execution as batch, and multiple recipes in user-defined sequence or parallel — all recorded as a batch." |
When NOT to Position Against Lucullus
Do not propose QB Control as a replacement for Lucullus PIMS when:
The client has 50+ bioreactors from multiple vendors already on Lucullus — the switching cost is prohibitive
Enterprise multi-site data harmonization is a primary requirement — Lucullus Enterprise edition with Oracle is the right tool
DoE-driven process development is the core workflow — Lucullus's native DoE integration is genuinely superior
Numera automated sampling is deeply embedded — replacing Numera with QB sampling may not be acceptable
The client's IT organization mandates Oracle/Windows infrastructure — QB Edge's Linux-based approach may face institutional resistance
The client needs to connect to production-scale (>50L) bioreactors — these are outside QB Control's hardware range
17. Feature-by-Feature Matrix
| # | Feature / Capability | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATEGORY: Architecture | ||||
| 1 | Browser-based UI | ✗ Windows app | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: any browser, any OS |
| 2 | Dedicated hardware ecosystem | ✗ Software only | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: 20+ PoE modules |
| 3 | Auto-discovery of devices | ✗ Manual driver setup | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: plug-and-play |
| 4 | Multi-vendor bioreactor support | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ | Lucullus: broader driver library; QB: OPC-UA connector for 3rd-party |
| 4a | OPC-UA connector (3rd-party control) | ★ ★ ★ ★ (data exchange) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (full control of OPC-UA equipment) | QB: control Sartorius, etc. as modern retrofit platform |
| 5 | Oracle database backend | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ✗ Not needed | Lucullus: enterprise-grade analytics |
| 6 | PoE single-cable architecture | ✗ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: power + data in one cable |
| 7 | Standalone deployment (no server) | ★ ★ ★ (XE edition) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: just QB Edge |
| 8 | Enterprise multi-site | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ✗ | Lucullus Enterprise edition |
| 8a | Centralized multi-processing (single controller) | ★ ★ (aggregates from multiple controllers) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (all processes on one QB Edge) | QB: no data integration needed |
| 8b | Dynamic plug-and-play P&ID per process | ★ ★ (manual HMI config) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (auto-generated per process) | QB: separate P&ID/HMI per process |
| CATEGORY: Process Control | ||||
| 9 | Services Catalog (pre-built templates) | ✗ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: 37 service templates across 10 categories |
| 10 | Service Profiles (reusable parameters) | ✗ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: instant strategy switching |
| 11 | PID control loops | ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | Both support PID |
| 12 | Event-based process control | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ | Lucullus: sophisticated triggers with Numera |
| 13 | Temperature control | ★ ★ ★ ★ (via bioreactor controller) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (QB Thermo + PID service) | QB: native hardware + service |
| 14 | pH control | ★ ★ ★ ★ (via bioreactor controller) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (3 pH service options) | QB: CO₂, acid, or base+acid |
| 15 | Dissolved oxygen control | ★ ★ ★ ★ (via bioreactor controller) | ★ ★ ★ ★ (via QB Gasflow + Multisensor) | Comparable |
| 16 | Foam control | ★ ★ ★ ★ (via bioreactor controller) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (QB Foam Sensor + service) | QB: native optical sensor |
| 17 | Gas flow control | ★ ★ ★ ★ (via bioreactor controller) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (QB Gasflow MFC) | QB: native mass flow controller |
| 18 | Automated sampling | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Numera) | ★ ★ ★ ★ (QB Syringe Pump + Selector Valve) | Numera: sample prep, filtration, dilution |
| 19 | Gravimetric feeding | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Amphora) | ★ ★ ★ ★ (QB Multiscale + QB Pump) | Amphora: dedicated multi-feed station |
| CATEGORY: Recipe Management | ||||
| 20 | Visual drag-and-drop recipe designer | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: intuitive DAG with drag-and-drop blocks |
| 21 | Recipe versioning | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: 4-state color-coded workflow |
| 22 | Recipe import/export | ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: share recipes across installations |
| 23 | Process import/export | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: complete process config replication |
| 24 | Pre-execution safety checklist | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: mandatory system-enforced |
| 25 | Single recipe execution → batch | ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: execute one recipe, recorded as batch |
| 26 | Multiple recipes → batch (sequence/parallel) | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: user-defined sequence or parallel, recorded as batch |
| 27 | Batch execution tracking | ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: dedicated Batch Board + Executions Board |
| CATEGORY: Data Management | ||||
| 26 | Centralized database | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Oracle) | ★ ★ ★ (local QB Edge) | Lucullus: enterprise-grade |
| 27 | Cross-experiment analytics | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ | Lucullus: core differentiator |
| 28 | Real-time process graphs | ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: per-process with live signals |
| 29 | Historical data views | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ | Lucullus: Oracle-powered queries |
| 30 | Data export (CSV, PDF) | ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | Both support standard exports |
| 31 | REST API | ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | Both provide REST API |
| 32 | MQTT support | ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: native MQTT |
| 33 | SQL access | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Oracle SQL) | ★ ★ ★ ★ (JDBC/ODBC) | Lucullus: full Oracle power |
| CATEGORY: DoE & Analytics | ||||
| 34 | Design of Experiments integration | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ✗ | Lucullus only |
| 35 | Process planning & scheduling | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ | Lucullus: integrated reactor allocation |
| 36 | Media management | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ (manual via Inventory) | Lucullus: automated media creation |
| 37 | Sample management | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ | Lucullus: barcoding + at-line analyzers |
| 38 | Automatic batch reports | ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ | Comparable |
| CATEGORY: Compliance & Security | ||||
| 39 | FDA 21 CFR Part 11 | ★ ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: explicit design-for-compliance |
| 40 | GAMP 5 Category | Category 5 (custom) | Category 4 (configurable) | QB: 50–70% less validation |
| 41 | ISA 18.2 alarm management | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: documented conformance |
| 42 | Audit trail | ★ ★ ★ ★ (Oracle logs) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (purpose-built module) | QB: granular per-module audit |
| 43 | Role-based access control | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: granular per-action RBAC |
| 44 | LDAP/Active Directory | ★ ★ ★ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: native LDAP/AD integration |
| 45 | Calibration management | ★ ★ (device-vendor tools) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | QB: integrated calibration module |
| CATEGORY: Deployment & Operations | ||||
| 46 | Installation time | ★ ★ (hours–days) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (minutes) | QB: browser-based, no install |
| 47 | IT infrastructure required | ★ ★ (Windows + Oracle + network) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (QB Edge + PoE cables) | QB: minimal IT |
| 48 | Training requirement | ★ ★ ★ (formal courses needed) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (self-paced online portal) | QB: intuitive browser UI |
| 49 | System integrator dependency | ★ ★ (often needed) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ($0 — self-service) | QB: plug-and-play |
| 50 | Scaling ease | ★ ★ ★ ★ (buy more licenses, add drivers) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (buy modules, plug in) | QB: no per-device licensing overhead |
| CATEGORY: Hardware | ||||
| 51 | Bioreactor vessels | ✗ (3rd party) | ★ ★ ★ ★ (1L, 3L, custom to 10L) | QB: purpose-built glass vessels |
| 52 | Peristaltic pumps | ✗ (3rd party) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (3-roller, 4-roller PoE) | QB: native with feedback |
| 53 | Syringe pump | ✗ (3rd party) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (PoE, auto-detection) | QB: precision sampling |
| 54 | Sensor hub | ✗ (3rd party) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (QB Multisensor, 6 channels) | QB: Hamilton + Mettler Toledo native |
| 55 | Agitator | ✗ (3rd party) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (overhead + sealed-tank + multi) | QB: PoE-powered |
| 56 | Photobioreactor lighting | ✗ (3rd party) | ★ ★ ★ ★ (QB Light, LED control) | QB: unique offering |
18. Summary Scores by Category
| Category | Lucullus® PIMS | QB Control | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Infrastructure | 3.3 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | ★ QB (appliance, browser-based, zero IT) |
| Process Control | 4.2 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | ★ QB (Services Catalog, native PID) |
| Recipe Management | 3.5 / 5 | 4.9 / 5 | ★ QB (visual DAG, versioning, profiles) |
| Data Management & Analytics | 4.5 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 | ★ Lucullus (Oracle, DoE, cross-experiment) |
| DoE & Advanced Analytics | 4.6 / 5 | 2.0 / 5 | ★ Lucullus (native DoE, multi-variate) |
| Compliance & Security | 3.4 / 5 | 4.9 / 5 | ★ QB (GAMP Cat 4, lower validation burden) |
| Deployment & Operations | 2.4 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 | ★ QB (plug-and-play, no IT stack) |
| Hardware Integration | 0 / 5 (N/A) | 4.8 / 5 | ★ QB (own hardware ecosystem) |
| Overall | 3.6 / 5 (58%) | 4.4 / 5 (88%) | ★ QB Control wins |
Key Insight: QB Control leads decisively in architecture, deployment, compliance, and hardware — the categories most critical for lab-to-pilot operations. Lucullus retains a strong lead in data management, DoE, and cross-experiment analytics, making it the better choice for data-intensive process development workflows. For greenfield bioprocessing labs prioritizing simplicity and regulatory readiness, QB Control is the clear choice.
Scoring reflects lab-to-pilot scale bioprocessing scenarios. Lucullus would score higher for enterprise multi-site and cross-experiment analytics use cases.
19. Sources
Securecell AG — Lucullus® SCADA Software: https://www.securecell.ch/product-biotech/lucullus-scada-software-bioprocess-digitalization-automation
Getinge — Lucullus® PIMS Product Page: https://www.getinge.com/int/products/lucullus/
Securecell — Event-Based Process Control: https://www.securecell.ch/insights/lucullus-pims-for-event-based-process-control
Securecell — IntegraOne Solution: https://www.securecell.ch/en/integraone
Securecell — Numera & Lucullus PAT Integration: https://www.securecell.ch/insights/numera-lucullus-an-integrated-pat-solution
Securecell — Amphora Multi-Feed Control: https://www.securecell.ch/en/amphora
Securecell — Getinge Partnership (10 Years): https://www.securecell.ch/insights/celebrating-10-years-of-collaboration-between-getinge-and-securecell
Securecell — Lucullus REST API: https://github.com/StefanHauer/lucullus_rest
Securecell — Lucullus Release Notes v24.1.2: https://www.securecell.ch/insights/lucullus-release-notes-version-24.1.2
Securecell — TU Wien Case Study: https://www.securecell.ch/insights/bioprocess-information-management-with-lucullus-pims
QB Systems — QB Control Product Catalog v3.x (March 2026)
QB Systems — QB Modules Product Catalog (October 2025)
QB Systems — QB Control User Manual v1.9a (March 2026)
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