Hand-built layouts
Plate maps typed into spreadsheet cells are easy to mis-copy, and one misplaced sample or control can affect a whole run.
Introducing J-PlateMap by JeevaySoft
Plate Mapping, Finally Beyond Excel.
A dedicated web-based application for plate mapping in diagnostic laboratories. Lay out samples, controls and blanks across your microplate and review the layout visually.
Replace Excel plate maps with a structured, color-coded layout built for molecular testing workflows such as PCR, qPCR and ELISA, where supported.
Built for the plate mapping needs of diagnostic and molecular laboratories.
The problem
Your Plate Maps Deserve Better Than Excel.
Excel plate maps seem simple at first. As laboratories run more plates, more assays and more people, keeping every layout correct and consistent becomes harder.
Hand-built layouts, no visual check of controls and blanks, and a manual step to match results back to the plate create avoidable risk for laboratory teams. J-PlateMap is designed to bring plate mapping into a dedicated web-based application.
No visual check
A grid of cell text is hard to scan. Reviewers cannot see at a glance where samples, controls and blanks sit on the plate.
Inconsistent setups
Every technologist and every assay can end up with its own template, so run setup varies from bench to bench.
Disconnected from results
Matching instrument output back to the original plate map is a manual step that is easy to get wrong.
The solution
Meet J-PlateMap: A Web-Based Application for Plate Mapping.
J-PlateMap is a JeevaySoft product focused on how diagnostic laboratories lay out and manage microplates. It is a dedicated web-based application for the plate mapping work that otherwise lives in spreadsheets.
The goal is straightforward: make every plate layout visual, standard and easy to review, so runs start from a confirmed map.
Five things it is built to do
- Move beyond Excel plate maps. A dedicated web-based application for plate layouts.
- Lay out wells visually. See samples, controls and blanks on the plate at a glance.
- Standardize setups. Lay out the same assay the same way, every time.
- Check before you run. Catch layout problems early, where validation is implemented.
- Connect to results. Support comparing results with the plate map, where supported.
Try the idea
Lay out a plate in a few clicks.
A small simulation with sample data to show what a visual plate map feels like. Pick a type, then click or drag across the wells. Nothing is saved.
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How it works
From Spreadsheet Plate Maps to a Confirmed Layout.
- 1
Choose the plate format
Select the microplate layout the assay needs, based on throughput, sample volume and assay type.
- 2
Assign samples, controls and blanks
Place patient or test samples, positive and negative controls, and blanks into specific wells, visually.
- 3
Review and validate the layout
Check the plate map before the run, using the validation checks the product provides.
- 4
Use the map in your run
Carry the confirmed layout into your run and, where supported, reconcile results against it and report.
Live data exchange with instruments and the LIS depends on the relevant interfaces and integration implementation.
Anatomy of a plate map
What Goes Into a Plate Map.
A plate map records what is in every well. Getting the pieces right is what makes a run interpretable.
Wells
Each position is addressed by row letter and column number, such as C7. Every well holds exactly one assignment.
Samples
Patient or test samples, often run in replicates so results can be compared.
Positive controls
Known-positive material that confirms the assay is working.
Negative controls
Including no-template controls, they help reveal contamination or false positives.
Blanks
Wells without sample, used to measure background signal.
Standards
Known concentrations used to build a standard curve in quantitative assays such as ELISA and qPCR.
Common plate formats
| Format | Layout | Wells | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96-well | 8 rows × 12 columns (A–H, 1–12) | 96 | Routine diagnostic runs and smaller batches. |
| 384-well | 16 rows × 24 columns (A–P, 1–24) | 384 | Higher throughput with smaller reaction volumes. |
| 1536-well | 32 rows × 48 columns | 1,536 | High-throughput screening on automated systems. |
General reference. The plate formats J-PlateMap supports are confirmed with JeevaySoft.
Excel vs J-PlateMap
The Same Plate, Two Ways to Manage It.
The right column describes what J-PlateMap is designed to do. Each capability is confirmed against the current release during your demo.
| Topic | Excel plate map | J-PlateMap is designed to |
|---|---|---|
| Seeing the layout | Rows of cell text to read and interpret | A visual plate showing every well and its type |
| Controls and blanks | Placed by hand and checked by eye | Placed deliberately in distinct styles, with checks where implemented |
| Templates | Copies that drift between people and versions | Standard layouts reused for the same assay |
| Before the run | A manual re-read | A layout check before the run, where implemented |
| Review | Someone opens the sheet and scans it | A visual layout that is quick to confirm |
| Linking to results | Matched back by hand | The confirmed layout is the reference, compared with results where supported |
| Documentation | Files saved wherever people save them | A structured record that can be reviewed and exported, where supported |
What can go wrong
Six Plate Map Mistakes, and How a Structured Layout Helps.
Controls in the wrong wells
The riskA swapped or missing positive or negative control can undermine how a whole run is interpreted.
With J-PlateMapControls are placed deliberately and shown in distinct styles, so a swap stands out.
A copy-paste shift
The riskPasting a block one row or column off quietly moves every sample after it.
With J-PlateMapWells are assigned by position on the plate rather than by cell text, so the layout does not drift.
The same sample in two wells
The riskAn accidental duplicate assignment wastes a well and confuses review.
With J-PlateMapDuplicate assignments can be flagged, where validation is implemented.
No blank or no-template control
The riskWithout one, background signal and contamination are harder to judge.
With J-PlateMapA layout check can remind you which control types are missing before the run.
A template that drifted
The riskTwo technologists lay out the same assay in two slightly different ways.
With J-PlateMapOne standard layout per assay, reused every time.
Results that do not line up
The riskReading results against the wrong orientation or version of the map causes confusion.
With J-PlateMapThe confirmed layout is the reference for review, and is compared with LIS data where supported.
A day in the molecular lab
Follow One Plate From Setup to Record.
An illustration of how a single plate moves when the layout is structured. Times are examples.
- 08:30
Samples are ready
With ExcelThe plate map is typed into a spreadsheet from a worklist.
With J-PlateMapThe layout is built visually, one well at a time or from a standard layout.
- 09:10
Controls and blanks go in
With ExcelControls are placed by hand and eyeballed.
With J-PlateMapPositive, negative and blank wells are placed deliberately and shown in distinct styles.
- 09:30
Someone checks the plate
With ExcelA second person re-reads the sheet cell by cell.
With J-PlateMapThe reviewer confirms a visual layout, with checks flagging gaps where implemented.
- 10:00
The run starts
With ExcelThe sheet is printed or copied to the instrument station.
With J-PlateMapThe confirmed layout is used for the run, through the interfaces your deployment supports.
- 12:30
Results come back
With ExcelResults are matched to wells by hand.
With J-PlateMapResults are compared with the plate map, where supported.
- 13:30
The record is closed
With ExcelThe spreadsheet is saved and the report assembled separately.
With J-PlateMapA reviewable record is available for documentation and export, where supported.
Application capabilities
Everything Focused on the Plate Map.
Capabilities are confirmed against the current release during your demo.
Visual plate layout
See the whole plate at once, with samples, controls and blanks distinguished, instead of reading rows of cell text.
Samples, controls and blanks
Place positive controls, negative controls and blanks deliberately, so results can be validated and interpreted.
Reusable, standard layouts
Standardize how runs are set up so the same assay is laid out the same way every time.
Layout validation
Catch problems such as duplicate well assignments or missing controls before the run, where these checks are implemented.
Connect to results
Compare the plate map with results from instruments and your LIS, where supported by the deployed interfaces.
Reports and export
Produce reviewable output for documentation and compliance, in the formats the product supports.
Assays
Built Around the Plates Laboratories Actually Run.
PCR and qPCR
Accurate placement of samples, primers and controls across the plate for reliable amplification and quantification workflows.
ELISA
Clear layout of samples, standards, controls and blanks for immunoassay plates.
High-throughput screening
Larger plate formats and repeated layouts, where applicable to your laboratory.
Connected laboratory
Designed for the Instruments and Systems Around the Plate.
A plate map sits between your assay, your instruments and your LIS. Exact compatibility depends on the systems and interfaces involved.
Microplate formats
Common formats such as 96-well and 384-well plates. Supported formats are confirmed with JeevaySoft.
Plate readers
Instruments that read the plate and produce results, where supported.
Liquid handlers
Automated pipetting systems that use the layout, where supported.
LIS / LIMS
Laboratory systems that receive results and need them matched to the plate map, where supported.
EMR / EHR
Clinical systems that receive reports, where supported.
Reports and exports
Output for review, audit and compliance, in supported formats.
Business benefits
Less Manual Layout Work. More Confidence in Every Run.
- Less manual effort building and checking plate layouts
- A clearer, more consistent way to set up each run
- Fewer opportunities for misplaced samples or controls, where validation is available
- Easier review, because the layout is visual
- Better documentation for audits and compliance
- A foundation for reconciling results with the plate map
Who it is for
Built Around Laboratory Plate Mapping.
Molecular diagnostic laboratories
PCR and qPCR runs where every well and control must be right.
Immunoassay and ELISA laboratories
Plates of samples, standards, controls and blanks to lay out consistently.
Laboratory managers and QA
Standard setups and plate layouts that are easy to review and document.
LIS / LIMS administrators and informatics teams
A cleaner link between plate layouts, instruments and the LIS.
High-throughput and reference laboratories
Many plates and many layouts to keep consistent.
Getting started
Moving Off Excel Should Not Stall the Bench.
A simple path from your current plate maps to your first run in J-PlateMap. Scope and timing are agreed with you.
- 1
Share your plate maps
We review the Excel plate maps, assays, plate formats and instruments you use today.
- 2
Configure your layouts
Plate formats and standard layouts are set up around your assays and control scheme.
- 3
Pilot a real run
Your team lays out a real plate end to end and gives feedback before wider use.
- 4
Go live with support
Your team is trained, and we stay close as you move more assays over.
Bring this to your demo
- Which plate formats and assays do you run, and what is your usual control scheme?
- Can you share an anonymized example of a plate map you use today?
- Which plate readers, liquid handlers and LIS are involved?
- What do you check before a run, and who signs off on the layout?
- What do reviewers and auditors need to see afterwards?
Glossary
Plate Mapping Terms, in Plain Language.
- Well
- One position on a microplate, named by row and column, such as B4.
- Microplate
- A flat plate with a grid of small wells, commonly 96, 384 or 1536.
- Plate map
- The record of what is placed in every well of a plate.
- Replicate
- The same sample placed in more than one well to check consistency.
- Positive control
- Known-positive material that shows the assay is working.
- Negative control
- Material expected to give no signal, used to detect contamination or false positives.
- No-template control (NTC)
- A negative control for PCR without sample DNA or RNA.
- Blank
- A well without sample used to measure background signal.
- Standard curve
- A series of known concentrations used to quantify unknown samples.
- Edge effect
- Wells at the plate edge can behave differently, so layouts often plan for it.
Why JeevaySoft
Healthcare Technology Built Around Real Operational Challenges.
J-PlateMap is part of the JeevaySoft healthcare technology portfolio, alongside J-Health, J-Quantify and J-Vantage.
JeevaySoft develops software designed to address operational challenges in healthcare and related industries. J-PlateMap extends that portfolio with a focused approach to a specific, often overlooked part of laboratory work: the plate layout that every molecular run depends on.
Plate mapping explained
What Laboratories Ask About Plate Mapping.
General industry information to help you evaluate any plate mapping approach. It describes the field, not specific J-PlateMap capabilities.
What is plate mapping in a molecular testing laboratory?
Plate mapping is the systematic assignment of samples, controls and reagents to specific wells on a microplate, such as a 96-well or 384-well plate, for tests like PCR, qPCR and ELISA. The plate map records what is in every well.
Why do laboratories use Excel for plate maps?
Excel is familiar, flexible and already installed, so a grid of cells is a natural way to sketch a plate layout. It works for a few plates, which is why many laboratories start there.
What problems can Excel plate maps create?
Layouts are typed or copied by hand, there is no visual check of where controls sit, templates drift between people, and matching instrument results back to the map is manual. One misplaced well can affect a whole run.
What are controls and blanks on a plate?
Positive controls confirm the assay works, negative controls help detect contamination or false positives, and blanks measure background signal. Placing them correctly is what lets results be validated.
How does plate mapping relate to the LIS?
After a plate is read, results are sent to the laboratory information system. Comparing them with the original plate map helps flag problems such as misplaced controls or missing data. Exact behaviour depends on the interfaces in use.
What should laboratories evaluate in plate mapping software?
Check supported plate formats and assays, how controls and blanks are handled, what layout validation exists, how templates are standardized, how results and the LIS fit in, and what reports can be exported. Ask for a demo using your own plate layouts.
Questions
Before you book a demo
What is J-PlateMap?
J-PlateMap is a JeevaySoft web-based application for plate mapping in diagnostic laboratories. It is designed to replace Excel plate maps with a structured, visual way to lay out samples, controls and blanks on a microplate.
Is J-PlateMap installed software?
No. J-PlateMap is a web-based application that you use through a browser. JeevaySoft can confirm hosting and deployment options during evaluation.
How is J-PlateMap different from Excel?
Excel is a general-purpose spreadsheet tool. J-PlateMap is a dedicated application designed around plate layouts in laboratories. Its specific advantages depend on the layout, validation, integration and reporting features implemented in the product.
Which plate formats and assays does it support?
J-PlateMap is aimed at microplate workflows such as PCR, qPCR and ELISA. Supported plate formats and assay types should be confirmed with JeevaySoft for your laboratory.
Does J-PlateMap connect to instruments and the LIS?
It is intended to fit alongside plate readers, liquid handlers and laboratory information systems. The exact supported instruments, interfaces and deployment requirements are confirmed with JeevaySoft.
Does J-PlateMap eliminate Excel completely?
It is designed to reduce dependence on Excel plate maps. Whether it can replace a particular spreadsheet workflow depends on the workflow and the capabilities available in the product.
Is J-PlateMap suitable for high-throughput laboratories?
Suitability depends on your plate volumes, formats and workflow. JeevaySoft assesses these during the product evaluation.
How can a laboratory evaluate J-PlateMap?
Request a demonstration and discuss your current plate mapping method, assays, instruments and LIS with JeevaySoft.
Ready to Move Beyond Excel Plate Maps?
See how J-PlateMap can help your laboratory approach plate mapping with a dedicated web-based application. Discuss your assays, your plate formats, your instruments and the challenges your team wants to solve.
The Next Step in Laboratory Mapping.