Comparison · QB Control vs. Thermo Fisher TruBio DV
QB Control vs TruBio DV Comparison
Choose QB Control when
- Lab- and pilot-scale bioprocessing (150 mL – 50 L)
- Multi-vendor hardware — not locked to the Thermo single-use ecosystem
- Parallel multi-vessel fermentation with no system integrator
- Fast process development — hours per recipe, not weeks
- Stainless-steel pilot cells with an existing PLC (industrial PC + OPC-UA)
Choose Thermo Fisher TruBio DV when
- GMP production above ~2,000 L with plant-wide orchestration
- Deep native integration with Thermo HyPerforma single-use bioreactors
- Active IND workflows needing electronic signatures today
At a glance
| Dimension | QB Control | Thermo Fisher TruBio DV |
|---|---|---|
| Product category | SCADA-class, browser-based platform | Bioprocess application on a full DCS (Emerson DeltaV) |
| Best-fit scale | ◆ Lab to pilot, 150 mL – 50 L (extensible via PLC) | Production-grade, 0.5 L – 5,000 L |
| Hardware | ◆ Own modular QB Modules, auto-discovered, + open sensors | Thermo single-use bioreactors first + 3rd-party via bridges |
| Software delivery | ◆ Browser-based, any device / OS | Installed on Windows workstations (DeltaV Operate) |
| Configuration | ◆ Visual drag-and-drop recipes, no coding | IEC 61131-3 programming + ISA-88 batch |
| Deployment time | ◆ Days (plug-and-play) | Weeks to months (needs a system integrator) |
| Vendor strategy | ◆ Open ecosystem, no lock-in | Emerson DeltaV + Thermo hardware |
| E-signatures & >2,000 L production | E-signatures on roadmap (Q3 2026) | ◆ Full e-signatures today; proven at production scale |
QB Control strengths
- No marshalling cabinets, wiring panels or power distribution boards
- Auto-discovery — no manual device commissioning
- Vendor-agnostic — native Hamilton / Mettler Toledo sensors, open protocols
- Perpetual license — no recurring DCS licensing tax
- Browser-based, multi-user, no dedicated workstations
Where TruBio DV leads — QB gaps
- Native Thermo HyPerforma single-use bioreactor integration
- Proven production scale beyond ~2,000 L, multi-train
- Electronic signatures on an active IND today (QB: Q3 2026)
- Full ISA-88 formal compliance + DeltaV MPC / PAT depth
QB Control targets lab-to-pilot, multi-vendor work — these are out of scope by design.
Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Platform Philosophy
- Architecture & Hardware
- Parallel Processing
- Multi-Vendor Integration
- Software Module Comparison
- Services Catalog & Rapid Deployment
- Recipe Engine
- Regulatory Compliance
- Pricing, Licensing & TCO
- Industry Fit Analysis
- What QB Control Can Replace
- Where QB Control Creates Superior Value
- Gaps & Limitations
- Migration & Replacement Scenarios
- Competitive Positioning Strategy
- Feature-by-Feature Matrix
Appendices — Summary Scores by Category · Sources
1. Executive Summary
The Core Argument
Thermo Fisher TruBio DV is a bioprocess control application built on Emerson’s DeltaV DCS (Distributed Control System), optimized for Thermo HyPerforma single-use bioreactors (S.U.B. and DynaDrive) and dominant in pharma manufacturing and large-scale CDMOs. QB Control is a SCADA-class, browser-based platform designed specifically for modular liquid handling and bioprocessing — and deployable both on QB Edge (benchtop QB Modules) and on a standard industrial PC driving stainless-steel, PLC-based systems via OPC-UA for pilot- and production-grade installations.
These remain fundamentally different products serving overlapping but distinct markets. The comparison is most relevant in upstream bioprocessing from lab bench through pilot scale (150 mL – 50 L benchtop, and stainless-steel pilot/production via PLC), where a DeltaV-based DCS is heavily over-engineered and QB Control provides a right-sized, cost-effective alternative — without the DeltaV licensing tax or single-vendor lock-in.
Key Finding
QB Control does not replace TruBio DV in all scenarios. It replaces TruBio DV in specific, high-value segments where the DeltaV foundation’s complexity, cost, and Thermo-ecosystem lock-in create friction. With the industrial-PC deployment path, that addressable footprint now extends upward into stainless-steel pilot and production cells that previously defaulted to a DCS. The sweet spot for QB Control as a TruBio DV alternative is:
| Scenario | QB Control Replaces TruBio DV? | Value Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Lab-scale bioprocessing (150 mL–10 L) | ✅ Full replacement | ~74% lower TCO, days vs. months setup |
| Pilot-scale upstream (10–50 L benchtop) | ✅ Full replacement | 50–70% cost reduction, modular flexibility |
| Stainless-steel pilot/production (PLC + OPC-UA) | ✅ Strong replacement (new) | Industrial-PC deployment, no DeltaV tax |
| Multi-vendor bioprocessing (non-Thermo hardware) | ✅ Strong replacement | Native integration, no SmartOPC bridge cost |
| Parallel fermentation (multi-vessel) | ✅ Strong replacement | Plug-and-play parallel, no SI needed |
| Process development & rapid iteration | ✅ Superior alternative | Hours not weeks per recipe |
| GMP production (>2,000 L, multi-train) | ⚠️ Partial / complementary | QB Control for monitoring & control; TruBio DV for production orchestration |
| Active IND requiring e-signatures today | ❌ Not yet | TruBio DV has full e-signatures; QB Control Q3 2026 |
| Deep Thermo single-use ecosystem dependency | ❌ Not a replacement | Native Thermo integration is TruBio DV’s home turf |
2. Platform Philosophy
Fundamental Architecture Difference
| Dimension | TruBio DV | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Product Category | Bioprocess application on a full DCS (Emerson DeltaV) | SCADA-class browser-based platform |
| Design Philosophy | Enterprise-first, top-down (DCS heritage) | Modular-first, bottom-up |
| Target Scale | Production-grade (0.5 L – 5,000 L) | Lab-to-pilot (150 mL – 50 L benchtop); stainless-steel pilot/production via PLC + OPC-UA |
| Approach to Hardware | Thermo single-use bioreactors first + 3rd-party via bridges | Own modular hardware (QB Modules) + open sensors; or existing PLCs (Wago/Siemens/Beckhoff) |
| Software Delivery | Installed on Windows workstations (DeltaV Operate) | Browser-based (any device, any OS) |
| Deployment Host | DeltaV controllers (G3Lab/G3Lite/G3Pro) + Windows servers | QB Edge for benchtop or standard industrial PC for PLC-based stainless steel |
| Configuration Model | IEC 61131-3 programming + ISA-88 batch | Visual drag-and-drop + recipe designer (no coding) |
| Deployment Time | Weeks to months (requires SI) | Days (plug-and-play) |
| Vendor Strategy | Proprietary ecosystem (Emerson DeltaV + Thermo hardware) | Open ecosystem (no lock-in) |
| GAMP Classification | Category 5 (custom DCS) | Category 4 (configurable software) |
The Over-Engineering Problem
TruBio DV inherits DeltaV’s assumption that the client needs enterprise-grade process control with full ISA-88 compliance and integration into plant-wide SCADA/MES/ERP systems. This assumption is correct for large production facilities but creates massive over-engineering for:
- R&D laboratories running 150 mL–10 L bioreactors
- Process development teams iterating on bioprocess parameters weekly
- Pilot-scale facilities with 10–50 L vessels
- Stainless-steel pilot cells that have a PLC but no need for a full DCS
- Academic research labs
- CDMOs running parallel small-scale campaigns
- Cosmetics and food & beverage formulation labs
Putting a DeltaV-based DCS on a six-vessel development lab adds cost, lock-in, and validation burden that the work does not require. QB Control is purpose-built for these scenarios — and it now scales up the stainless-steel pilot/production path through industrial-PC deployment and OPC-UA/PLC integration, without inheriting DCS cost, lock-in, or validation burden. (See §16 for the one-line positioning summary.)
3. Architecture & Hardware
Controller & Hardware Architecture
| Component | TruBio DV | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Central Controller / Host | G3Lab / G3Lite / G3Pro controllers + DeltaV Operate (Windows) | QB Edge (runs QB Control locally) or industrial PC for PLC-based stainless-steel systems |
| I/O Architecture | DeltaV I/O / CHARMs marshalling | Power-over-Ethernet (one cable = power + data per module); or PLC I/O (Wago/Siemens/Beckhoff) via OPC-UA |
| Execution Speed | Deterministic hard real-time (DeltaV controllers) | Real-time within PoE/PLC network latency |
| Max Devices Per Hub | Controller-capacity limited (per G3 unit) | 7 per QB Edge, expandable via QB Switch (7+7+7…); PLC-bound for industrial-PC deployments |
| Device Discovery | Manual configuration + commissioning | Auto-discovery (Plug & Play) — device appears in QB Control automatically |
| Workstation Requirement | Windows workstations, DeltaV Operate client | Any device with a browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) |
| Form Factor | 19” rack-mount controllers + marshalling cabinets | Bench-top modules (310×115×115 mm each); or industrial PC + existing PLC cabinet |
| Power Architecture | Separate power supplies per cabinet + UPS required | PoE — single cable per module, no external power supplies |
| Wiring | Traditional marshalling / DeltaV I/O terminations | Single Ethernet cable per module — minimal wiring |
| Single-Use Bioreactors | Native HyPerforma S.U.B. + DynaDrive integration | Connected via OPC-UA; SU pump heads + SU pressure sensors native |
QB Modules Hardware Ecosystem vs. TruBio DV 3rd-Party Integration
| Function | TruBio DV Approach | QB Control Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Pumps | 3rd-party pumps integrated via OPC / Fieldbus | QB Pump (peristaltic, centrifugal, syringe) — native; SmartPump (OPC) for 3rd-party |
| Sensors | Hamilton/Mettler Toledo via HART/Fieldbus or SmartOPC bridge | QB Multisensor — connects up to 6 Hamilton/Mettler Toledo probes natively |
| Agitation | 3rd-party agitators via analog/digital I/O | QB Agitator, QB Multiagitator (2 or 6 vessels) — native |
| Temperature | 3rd-party thermocontrollers via analog I/O | QB Thermo (heating/cooling 2–42 °C, heating mats) — native |
| Gas Flow | 3rd-party MFCs via analog/Fieldbus | QB Gasflow (up to 2 gas streams, 0.1 SCCM – 20 SLPM) — native |
| Valves | 3rd-party solenoid/pneumatic valves via DI/DO | QB Pinch Valve, QB Selector Valve (24 positions), three-way valves — native |
| Scales | 3rd-party via analog/serial (SmartDose gravimetric) | QB Multiscale (up to 6 scales via RS232) — native |
| Foam Detection | External, no standard integration | QB Foam Sensor — optical, patent-pending, non-contact |
| Lighting | Not part of the TruBio DV ecosystem | QB Light (up to 6 independent LED outputs for photobioreactors) |
| Pressure | 3rd-party transmitters via HART/Fieldbus | QB Pressure Sensor (up to 2 single-use IBP transducers) |
Key Hardware Advantage: QB Control
- No marshalling cabinets, no wiring panels, no power distribution boards for benchtop deployments
- Auto-discovery eliminates manual device commissioning
- PoE eliminates separate power infrastructure
- Bench-top form factor — no rack room, no control cabinets
- Open sensors — use Hamilton, Mettler Toledo, Levitronix at market price (no vendor markup, no SmartOPC bridge fee)
- New: for stainless-steel systems with existing PLCs, QB Control deploys on an industrial PC and integrates over OPC-UA — reusing field hardware instead of replacing it
4. Parallel Processing
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Capability | TruBio DV | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Max Parallel Bioreactors | Multiple G3 controllers per DeltaV network (production-scale) | Multiple parallel processes (license-dependent); QB Multiagitator supports 6 vessels per module; multi-instance services per process |
| Parallel Architecture | Each bioreactor = independent Unit Module within ISA-88 hierarchy | Each bioreactor = independent Process with own P&ID, alarms, recipes, batch recording |
| Shared Resource Management | Batch Executive arbitration for CIP/SIP, media prep | Process-level resource allocation via System and Process modules; conflict blockade prevents collisions |
| Independent Recipes Per Vessel | Yes — different recipes via DeltaV Batch (expert S88 configuration) | Yes — different recipes per process; parallel and sequential batch execution |
| Sequential Campaign Queuing | Campaign Manager (DeltaV Batch) | Sequential batch execution with Pending queue status + per-batch auto-stop conditions (new) |
| Unified Data View | DeltaV Historian (all units → one database) | QB Graphs (per-process live + history), Reports (per-batch) |
| Cross-Batch Comparison | DeltaV Batch Analytics | QB Graphs multi-parameter overlay + CSV export for external analysis |
| Technology Transfer | ISA-88 recipe structure enables lab→production migration | Process & recipe Import/Export with device mapping & conflict resolution; P&ID preserved on versioning |
| Campaign Management | Dedicated Campaign Manager module | Recipe Executions Board with full batch lifecycle (Pending, During Execution, Paused, Hold, Completed, Failed, Aborted) |
QB Control’s Parallel Processing Model
QB Control implements parallel processing through its System → Process → Batch hierarchy:
- System defines the physical resources (devices, services, equipment, media)
- Multiple Processes can be defined within a system, each with its own auto-generated P&ID, alarm configuration, recipe assignment, batch recording, and reports
- Multi-instance services allow the same service type to be instantiated across multiple processes
- Parallel Recipe Execution — multiple recipes run simultaneously across different processes
- Sequential execution (new) — batches can be queued with a Pending status and chained with auto-stop conditions, enabling unattended campaign sequencing
- Process-level isolation — each process operates independently with its own control loop and its own per-process emergency stop (P-Stop)
Where QB Control Excels in Parallel Processing
- No system integrator needed to set up parallel operations (vs. expert DeltaV S88 configuration)
- Visual P&ID per process — auto-generated from configuration, not manually drawn; preserved and copied forward on versioning
- Process & recipe Import/Export with device mapping — replicate a proven setup to new bioreactors and remap devices to the target system instantly
- Multi-user concurrent access — different operators monitor/control different processes simultaneously from different devices
- Lower incremental cost — adding a parallel bioreactor = adding QB Modules + license expansion (not buying new G3 controllers, workstations, or SI engagement)
Where TruBio DV Excels in Parallel Processing
- Higher vessel count at large production scale
- More sophisticated resource arbitration (Batch Executive for shared CIP/SIP)
- ISA-88 full compliance with standardized terminology and structure
- Cross-batch analytics built into the platform (DeltaV Batch Analytics)
- Proven multi-train production with redundant controllers
5. Multi-Vendor Integration
Protocol Support Comparison
| Protocol | TruBio DV | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| OPC UA | Native via DeltaV (OPC DA limited to 32-bit); non-Thermo gear via SmartOPC bridge | Native — primary path for PLC/stainless-steel integration; dedicated OPC UA Connector module with configurable mappings |
| Modbus | Native (TCP) for select 3rd-party gear | Supported (TCP and RTU) |
| MQTT | Not native (requires gateway) | Native — IoT real-time streaming |
| REST API | Not native | Native — modern web integrations |
| SQL (JDBC/ODBC) | Limited / custom | Native — direct database access |
| LDAP/Active Directory | Supported via Windows integration | Native — SSO with corporate credentials, configurable search scope/timeout/pagination |
| MTP (Module Type Package) | DeltaV MTP Merge Utility (NAMUR) | Supported (new) — plug-and-produce integration + MTP-oriented signal presentation in Graphs |
| PROFIBUS / PROFINET | Native on DeltaV controllers | Profibus supported; PLC protocols (Wago/Siemens/Beckhoff) |
| HART | Native + Softing adapters | Not primary (sensors via Modbus RS485) |
| Foundation Fieldbus | Native | Not supported (not needed for target scale) |
| Bluetooth / WiFi / LTE | Not supported | Supported (QB Edge wireless options) |
| Serial (RS232/RS485) | Via converters | Native (QB Multiscale, QB Multisensor) |
| SMTP (email) | Limited / custom (DeltaV notification services) | Native — notification dispatch with SMTP config + delivery logs |
| Cloud Integration | Thermo Fisher Connect (proprietary, closed) | Native REST API — open analytics/warehouse integration |
Sensor Vendor Support Comparison
| Vendor | TruBio DV | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | Via HART adapters, Softing gateways, or SmartOPC bridge | Native — Arc module sensors via QB Multisensor (DO, pH, conductivity, OD, CO₂, ORP); two-point / zero-point / slope calibration |
| Mettler Toledo | Via HART/Fieldbus or adapters | Native — ISM/Modbus sensors via QB Multisensor (DO, pH, ORP, CO₂, conductivity) |
| Levitronix | Custom integration / SmartOPC bridge | Native — flow meters via QB Multisensor |
| Mettler Toledo / Kern Scales | Via analog/serial (SmartDose) | Native — MT-SICS / PKP series via QB Multiscale |
Integration Philosophy Difference
TruBio DV: “We provide a control platform optimized for Thermo single-use bioreactors (HyPerforma S.U.B., DynaDrive). Non-Thermo instruments integrate via industrial protocols (HART, Fieldbus, OPC) or the SmartOPC bridge — each integration carries engineering cost, configuration time, and re-validation.”
QB Control: “We provide both the control platform AND the hardware modules. Our modules natively connect Hamilton, Mettler Toledo, and Levitronix sensors. For anything else, we offer OPC UA (with a dedicated connector), Modbus, MQTT, REST API, SQL, and MTP — and we deploy on your existing PLCs for stainless-steel systems. No adapters, no gateways, no system integrators needed.”
QB Control’s Integration Advantage
- Native sensor support — Hamilton and Mettler Toledo probes connect directly to QB Multisensor via Modbus RS485. No HART adapters, no Softing gateways, no SmartOPC bridge fee
- Modern protocols — MQTT, REST API, SQL are native. TruBio DV requires custom gateways or proprietary Thermo Connect for these
- OPC UA Connector — a dedicated module bridges OPC-UA equipment into QB Control with configurable mappings, connector profiles, and per-connector service templates — the path for PLC-based stainless-steel systems
- MTP support (new) — plug-and-produce modular integration, closing a gap the DeltaV foundation previously held alone
- Auto-discovery vs. manual commissioning — plug in a QB Module and it appears in the inventory automatically
TruBio DV’s Integration Advantage
- Native Thermo single-use ecosystem — HyPerforma S.U.B., DynaDrive, and TruPerforma sensor cartridges integrate seamlessly with no bridge engineering
- Mature MTP tooling (MTP Merge Utility) with a longer track record at production scale
- Broader industrial protocol support for legacy plant integration (Foundation Fieldbus, PROFINET redundancy)
- Plant-wide integration — connects to MES, ERP, LIMS at enterprise level
- Proven at production scale with complex, multi-vendor installations
6. Software Module Comparison
Module-by-Module Mapping
QB Control ships 18 software modules, accessed through the Portal. The two recent additions are Remote Access and Health Monitoring.
| Capability Area | TruBio DV / DeltaV Component | QB Control Module | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device Management | AMS Device Manager + manual commissioning | Inventory (auto-discovery, device status, configuration import/export, licensing) | QB simpler & faster |
| System Configuration | DeltaV Explorer + Control Studio | System (visual resource allocation, search, bulk add/remove, history to CSV) | QB no-code; TruBio more powerful |
| Process Configuration | Control Studio + Batch configuration | Process (visual binding, versioning, duplicate process, live connection status, guided import/export) | QB faster; TruBio more ISA-88 compliant |
| Process Visualization | DeltaV Live (HTML5 HMI) | P&ID (auto-generated, drag-and-drop, recipe execution from diagram, P-Stop/E-Stop) | QB auto-generates; TruBio manual design |
| Batch Management | DeltaV Batch (ISA-88 full compliance) | Recipe (Designer / Batch / Executions Boards) | QB visual designer with Services; TruBio more formally ISA-88 |
| Services Catalog | SmartParts (custom function blocks per project) | Services (~40 templates across 10 categories, load & execute in minutes) | QB unique advantage |
| Service Profiles | No equivalent | Service Profiles (reusable grouped/atomic parameter templates, portable import/export) | QB unique advantage |
| Alarm Management | DeltaV Alarm Management (ISA-18.2) | Alarms (ISA-18.2 conformance, watchlist, in-app global notifications) | Comparable (both ISA-18.2) |
| Data Visualization | DeltaV Historian + Trending | Graphs (live + history, multi-axis, annotations, MTP signals, export) | TruBio more powerful historian; QB adequate for scale |
| Reporting | InfoBatch + Syncade MES (or DeltaV Flex add-on) | Reports (automated + manual, PDF/DOCX, recipe-execution & service-history sections) | TruBio enterprise-grade; QB sufficient for lab/pilot |
| Batch Tracking | DeltaV Batch Historian | Runs (per-process, batch ID, user tracking, report linkage) | Both adequate |
| Calibration | External (AMS Device Manager) | Calibration (status tracking, Next Due Dates, Hamilton/pump methods, device-type-aware history) | QB integrated; TruBio external tool |
| Audit Trail | Event Chronicle | Audit Trail (21 CFR Part 11 conformance, cross-module, exportable CSV) | Both strong |
| Access Control | Windows-based user management | Users & Roles (RBAC, 18 permission groups, LDAP/AD) | QB more modern (web-based) |
| Notifications | DeltaV notification services (custom config) | Notifications (in-app center, email/SMTP, per-user preferences, recipe-step alerts, logs) | QB richer out-of-box |
| Backup | System backup utility | Backup, Export & Archive (scheduled/manual wizards, one-click restore, integrity verification) | Comparable |
| License Management | LDK dongle or softkey | License (feature/device/system/time-based, online/offline, host-bound, license guards) | QB more flexible |
| Remote Access | Live Enterprise View / Remote Client (max 15 concurrent) | Remote Access (secure VPN, QR-code setup, phone/tablet/PC, role-based) — new | QB simpler, multi-device |
| Health Monitoring | Diagnostics across tools | Health Monitoring (system health dashboard, per-module status, drill-down) — new | QB consolidated, always-on |
| MPC / Advanced Control | DeltaV PredictPro (economic optimizer) | ❌ Not available | TruBio wins |
| PAT Integration | DeltaV Spectral PAT (embedded) | ❌ Not available | TruBio wins |
| Digital Twin | DeltaV Mimic | ❌ Not available | TruBio wins |
| MES | Syncade (electronic batch records) | ❌ Not native (REST API integration point) | TruBio wins |
| Cloud Analytics | Thermo Fisher Connect (proprietary) | REST API / SQL (open) | QB more open |
| Edge Computing | DeltaV Edge Environment | QB Edge (runs QB Control locally) | Different approach, both valid |
7. Services Catalog & Rapid Deployment
QB Control’s Services Catalog — A Game-Changing Differentiator
One of QB Control’s most powerful advantages over TruBio DV is the Services Catalog — a library of pre-built, parameterized service templates that can be loaded and executed within minutes. A Service is a pre-defined control action (the equivalent of a DCS control loop) that directly commands hardware. Services come in two types:
- Autocomplete Services — execute a discrete task and close automatically (e.g., Transfer Volume by Pump, Add Gas Volume by MFC)
- Continuous Services — run until explicitly stopped (e.g., Set Agitator Speed, Temperature Control by TCU, pH Control by Base & CO₂)
Where TruBio DV offers SmartParts (reusable DeltaV function blocks that still require configuration in Control Studio and re-validation on change), QB Control ships a far broader catalog that loads and runs without engineering.
Services Catalog by Category
QB Control ships with ~40 pre-built service templates across 10 functional categories out of the box, with QB Filtration adding a tangential-flow filtration set (recently expanded). This covers every core bioprocess control need:
| Category | Example Services | Count | Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH Control | pH Control by Base & CO₂, by Base & Acid, by One Pump, One Pump PID, pH PID Control | 6 | Continuous |
| Temperature Control | by TCU, by Heating Mat, by Steam & Water, Split Temp, Set Circulator Temp, Set Heating Mat Power | 6 | Continuous |
| Pump & Feed | Feed, Autosubstrate, Set Pump Flow Rate, Set Centrifugal Pump RPM, Transfer Volume/Bolus, Gravimetric Feeding | 9 | Continuous + Autocomplete |
| Gas Control | O₂ Control, Advanced O₂ Control, Set MFC 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, 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 | LED Control, LED Control Scheduler | 2 | Continuous |
| Core catalog (out of the box) | ~40 | across 10 categories | |
| QB Filtration add-on | Filtervig Control, Concentration Factor Logic, NWP Calculator, Breakthrough Detection, plus six new tangential-flow services | expanded | Continuous + Autocomplete |
Service Profiles — Reusable Parameter Templates
QB Control’s Service Profiles (Settings → Service Profiles) let users save standardized parameter configurations as reusable templates. QB Control adds grouped and atomic-style configuration models, structured profile cards (e.g., PID Controller Tuning, Temperature Ramp, Operating Limits), and portable export/import to transfer complete profile sets between templates or environments. Profile-driven values are labeled in execution review for traceability. TruBio DV has no equivalent — reusing a control strategy means copying DeltaV function-block configuration and re-validating it.
How Services Transform Experiment Deployment
| Workflow Step | TruBio DV Approach | QB Control with Services Catalog |
|---|---|---|
| Define control strategy | Configure SmartParts / write IEC 61131-3 in Control Studio | Select service template from catalog |
| Set parameters | Enter values in Control Studio (trained DeltaV engineer) | Load a saved Service Profile or enter values in a visual form |
| Change control logic | Reprogram function blocks, re-validate | Swap service template — minutes, not days |
| Deploy to process | Commission, test, validate — weeks | Add service to process; it appears in Recipe Designer — minutes |
| Try a different strategy | New engineering engagement | Select a different service / apply a different profile — instant |
Time-to-Deploy for Experiment Strategy Changes
| Scenario | TruBio DV Time | QB Control Time | QB Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switch pH control from CO₂+Base to Acid+Base | 1–2 weeks (reprogram, test, validate) | 5 minutes (swap service template) | ~200× faster |
| Add foam control to an existing process | 1–2 weeks (new I/O, programming, commissioning) | 10 minutes (add service + connect foam sensor) | ~150× faster |
| Change temperature control from setpoint to ramp | Days (modify function blocks) | 2 minutes (change parameters or swap template) | ~500× faster |
| Deploy a completely new experimental strategy | 4–8 weeks (full engineering cycle) | 1–2 hours (select services, build recipe, validate) | ~200× faster |
| Replicate a proven setup to a new bioreactor | 2–4 weeks (copy, adapt, re-validate) | 15 minutes (Process Import/Export + device mapping + Profiles) | ~100× faster |
This is a capability TruBio DV simply cannot match at the lab/pilot scale. The DeltaV foundation requires engineering effort for every control strategy change; QB Control makes it a catalog selection.
8. Recipe Engine
Overview
The Recipe Module is the core automation engine of QB Control. It translates biotechnological protocols into executable digital workflows by combining logic blocks and Services (hardware actions), through three integrated boards: Designer Board (create/edit), Batch Board (configure/execute), and Executions Board (monitor history). TruBio DV, by contrast, encodes recipes as DeltaV Batch procedures (ISA-88) authored in IEC 61131-3 — powerful, but expert-dependent and slow to change.
8.1 Designer Board & the Unified Block Library
The Designer Board is a visual, drag-and-drop workspace for building process logic as a connected flow. QB Control consolidates the previous per-service blocks into a unified block library with built-in grouping, descriptions, tooltips, and embedded in-app guidance:
| Block | Category | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Start Service | Service Control | Single configurable block (replaces many per-service start blocks); pick the service at configuration; supports Autocomplete (run-to-completion) and Continuous (keep running) |
| Stop Service | Service Control | Explicitly stop a continuous service later in the flow |
| Update Service Inputs | Service Control | Change service input values mid-execution (startup vs. runtime-adjustable inputs kept separate) |
| Service Profile support | Service Control | Start/Update blocks accept preset profile configurations; profile values labeled in execution review |
| Manual Operation | Operations | Pause for operator-driven action where supervised intervention is required |
| Variable / Update Variables | Variables | Declare named values (boolean, text, number, time); update with increase / decrease / multiply / divide |
| Timer | Timing | Shared timer control with start / stop / pause / resume modes |
| Set Valve State | Equipment commands | Command valve positions directly as part of the sequence |
| Conditional | Logic & flow | Evaluate real-time variables with AND / OR expressions |
| Counter | Logic & flow | Loop control with iteration count |
| PID | Logic & flow | Inline PID-oriented control block |
| Polygon | Logic & flow | Piecewise-linear mapping (X→Y) for ramps and profiles |
| Split / Merge | Logic & flow | Fork into parallel paths and join them back together |
| Wait / Wait Until / Start / Stop / End | Standard | Time-based pause, condition-based pause, and execution control |
Authoring productivity: copy/paste of blocks, signal filtering for cleaner input selection, undo/redo, diagram export (image), and recipe import/export across installations. The designer flags inactive recipes that should not be started as-is.
Recipe state lifecycle: Draft → Verified → Validated → Hold → Archived. Critically, only Verified or Validated recipes can run in batches — not just Validated — which streamlines development without weakening control.
8.2 Batch Board
- Create batches for processes and assign single or multiple recipes per batch
- Real-time view to monitor and control execution (stop, pause, resume)
- Sequential batch execution with Pending status for queued batches and auto-stop configuration per batch
- Edit parameters from the execution board where permitted — no round-trip to the designer mid-run
- Step execution counts and live recipe status updates
8.3 Executions Board
- List of executed batches with start/finish time, status, and configuration
- Statuses: During Execution, Paused, Hold, Pending, Completed, Failed, Aborted
- Filter by System, Process, Status; export list to CSV; export recipe flow to PNG
- Direct links to the live view of currently executing recipes
8.4 Validation & Safety
- The Validator — visual workspace for verifying recipe logic before execution
- Automated pre-start validations prevent batch collisions, unauthorized recipe starts, and execution on disconnected hardware
- Mandatory pre-execution checklist forces operators to verify critical lab elements (tubing integrity, media preparation) before start
- License guard — creating, duplicating, or importing recipes is blocked when the recipe license limit is reached
- Emergency integration — runs hold or abort safely when a P-Stop or global E-Stop is active
8.5 Recipe Engine vs. DeltaV Batch — Detailed Comparison
| Capability | TruBio DV (DeltaV Batch) | QB Control Recipe Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow design | IEC 61131-3 + ISA-88 procedural model (trained engineer) | Visual drag-and-drop Designer Board (no coding) |
| Parallel execution | Batch Executive with unit arbitration | Split/Merge blocks for parallel paths |
| Sequential campaigns | Campaign Manager | Sequential batches with Pending queue + auto-stop |
| Conditional logic | Sequential Function Charts | Conditional blocks with AND/OR on real-time data |
| Variables & math | Custom function blocks | Variable / Update Variables (increase/decrease/multiply/divide) |
| Timers | Phase logic | Timer block (start/stop/pause/resume) |
| Human-in-the-loop | Manual phase prompts | Manual Operation block |
| Execution monitoring | DeltaV Batch operator interface | Batch Board with real-time, color-coded status |
| Recipe versioning | Batch recipe library + approvals | Draft → Verified → Validated → Hold → Archived |
| Pre-execution safety | Operator checklist (configurable) | Mandatory checklist + Validator (system-enforced) |
| Ramp/profile control | Custom function blocks | Polygon block + service ramp parameters |
| Diagram export | Not standard | Export as image / PNG for compliance docs |
| Time to create recipe | Hours to days (weeks for new strategy) | Minutes to hours (visual, no-code) |
9. Regulatory Compliance
| Standard | TruBio DV | QB Control | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDA 21 CFR Part 11 | ✅ Full compliance | ⚠️ Partial conformance | TruBio: full (with e-sigs). QB: electronic records, audit trails, access control, user management today — electronic signatures not yet covered |
| EU Annex 11 | ✅ Full compliance | ✅ Compliance support | Both provide computerized-system validation capabilities |
| GAMP 5 | Category 5 (custom DCS) | Category 4 (configurable) | QB Control has lower validation burden — no custom code to validate |
| ISA-18.2 (Alarms) | ✅ Full compliance | ✅ Conformance | Both support suppressed, out-of-service, acknowledgement workflows |
| ISA-88 (Batch) | ✅ Full compliance (best-in-class) | ⚠️ Follows batch concepts; not formally ISA-88 certified | TruBio stronger for formal ISA-88 compliance |
| ALCOA+ (Data Integrity) | ✅ Full implementation | ✅ Full implementation | Both provide ALCOA+ data integrity |
| Electronic Signatures | ✅ Built-in | ◐ On roadmap (Q3 2026 — not in current version) | TruBio leads; QB planned |
| Audit Trail | ✅ Event Chronicle (immutable) | ✅ Immutable, exportable (CSV), cross-module, searchable | Both comprehensive |
| Safe Position Logic (GMP) | Via interlock engineering | ✅ Built-in — define safe actuator states after restart/power cycle | QB has a dedicated, configurable feature |
| CE Marking | System-level | ✅ Per QB Module (EMC + Low Voltage Directive) | Each module ships its own Declaration of Conformity |
Compliance Value for QB Control
GAMP 5 Category 4 vs. Category 5 is the key differentiator. As configurable (not custom) software, QB Control needs a reduced validation scope and standardized test scripts rather than the full custom IQ/OQ/PQ a DeltaV-based Category 5 system requires — roughly 50–70% less validation effort, faster time to GMP-ready operation (weeks vs. months), lower CSV cost, and simpler change management (configuration, not code). With TruBio DV, changes to DeltaV logic controllers trigger re-validation cycles.
Honest Compliance Caveat
QB Control’s 21 CFR Part 11 conformance is partial: it delivers electronic records, audit trails, access control, and user management today, but electronic signatures are not yet implemented (roadmapped for Q3 2026). For workflows that require digital signatures on an active IND today, TruBio DV remains the safer choice until QB Control’s e-signature release. Do not represent QB Control as fully 21 CFR Part 11 compliant.
10. Pricing, Licensing & TCO
Direct Cost Comparison
TruBio DV pricing is not publicly available — quotes are RFQ and bundled with DeltaV hardware and Thermo single-use equipment. Figures below are reference estimates for comparable lab/pilot configurations.
| Cost Component | TruBio DV | QB Control | Savings with QB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level System | ~$50,000+ (G3 controller + minimal I/O + DeltaV license) | QB Edge + basic modules + license: ~$15,000–25,000 | 50–70% |
| Typical Lab Setup (4 bioreactors) | ~$150,000–$250,000 | 4× bioreactor module sets + QB Edge + license: ~$60,000–85,000 | 57–72% |
| 6-Bioreactor Lab Setup | ~$300,000–$400,000 | 6× bioreactor module sets + QB Edge(s) + license: ~$100,000 | 67–75% |
| Pilot Setup (8–12 bioreactors) | ~$400,000–$600,000+ | 8–12× module sets + QB Edge(s)/switches + license: ~$150,000–250,000 | 50–63% |
| System Integrator Cost | $50,000–$200,000+ per project | $0 (self-setup, plug-and-play) | 100% |
| Workstation Hardware | Windows workstations, $5,000–$15,000 per station | $0 (any existing device with a browser) | 100% |
| Software License | I/O-based + FDM modules + DeltaV (recurring/subscription) | Perpetual license (one-time purchase) | Significantly lower long-term |
| Multi-Vendor Integration | $5,000–$15,000 per SmartOPC bridge | $0 (native OPC-UA, Modbus, REST, MTP) | 100% |
| Training | 4+ days formal DeltaV training ($5,000–$15,000) | QB Systems Online Portal + documentation — self-paced | 80–90% |
| Validation (GAMP 5) | Category 5 — extensive IQ/OQ/PQ ($50,000–$200,000) | Category 4 — reduced scope ($10,000–$50,000) | 50–75% |
| Wiring & Installation | Marshalling cabinets, cable trays, terminations | PoE — one cable per module (benchtop) | 80–90% |
Total Cost of Ownership (5-Year Projection)
Scenario: 6-bioreactor parallel upstream processing lab
| TCO Component | TruBio DV (5-Year) | QB Control (5-Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware (controllers / QB Modules + host) | $200,000 | $100,000 |
| Software licensing | $100,000 (recurring annual) | $30,000 (perpetual, one-time) |
| Paid support & maintenance | $150,000 (~$30K/yr) | $25,000 (tiered support plan) |
| System integration | $120,000 | $0 |
| Installation & wiring | $40,000 | $5,000 |
| Validation | $80,000 | $20,000 |
| Training | $30,000 (formal classroom) | $5,000 (Online Portal, self-paced) |
| TOTAL | ~$720,000 | ~$185,000 |
| ~74% lower TCO |
Licensing Model Comparison
| Aspect | TruBio DV | QB Control |
|---|---|---|
| Model | I/O count + Feature Descriptor Modules + per-workstation; recurring fees | Perpetual license — feature-, device-, system/process-, and time-based dimensions |
| License Type | Subscription or term-based (annual renewal) | Perpetual — buy once; no recurring license fees |
| Support | Bundled or separate Guardian Support | Paid separately — tiered (Basic, Standard, Premium), client’s choice |
| Additional Features | Add FDM cost per feature | Priced transparently upon request |
| Enforcement | Proprietary dongle ($50K–$300K) | Software license bound to the deployment host; license-aware UI and guards surface limits |
| Lock-In | Tied to Emerson/Thermo hardware ecosystem | Not tied to a specific hardware vendor |
| Hardware Dependency | Windows workstations; Emerson controllers; Thermo single-use | Any browser-capable device; QB Edge or industrial PC |
Licensing Model — Key Client Value
- No recurring license fees — the perpetual license does not expire, eliminating TruBio DV’s annual licensing burden
- Paid support is optional and tiered — no forced bundling
- Additional capabilities priced transparently on request, not hidden behind opaque FDM modules or SmartOPC bridge fees
- Predictable budgeting — one-time license + optional support
- No “license hostage” risk — perpetual model means a lapsed contract never locks you out of your own system
11. Industry Fit Analysis
Biotech (Lab & Pilot Scale)
| Criterion | TruBio DV | QB Control | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cell culture (150 mL–10 L) | Over-engineered | Purpose-built | QB Control |
| Fermentation (1–50 L) | Capable but expensive | Native support | QB Control |
| Parallel bioreactors (lab) | DeltaV Batch (expert config) | Multiple processes, auto-generated P&IDs | QB Control (simpler, cheaper) |
| Stainless-steel pilot (PLC) | Full DCS | Industrial-PC deployment + OPC-UA (new) | QB Control (right-sized) |
| Process development / rapid iteration | DeltaV (expensive, slow) | Rapid reconfiguration, import/export | QB Control |
| Single-use bioprocessing | Native HyPerforma S.U.B. integration | Native SU pump heads, SU pressure sensors (any vendor) | Tie (TruBio native Thermo; QB multi-vendor) |
| Production scale (>2,000 L, multi-train) | Full production-grade DCS | Single-site focus | TruBio DV |
| Technology transfer to CMO | ISA-88 recipe portability | Process/recipe import/export + device mapping | TruBio DV (industry standard) |
Pharmaceuticals
| Criterion | TruBio DV | QB Control | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| R&D lab automation | Over-engineered | Right-sized | QB Control |
| Process development | Good but expensive | Faster iteration, lower cost | QB Control |
| QC lab automation | Not typical use case | Good fit | QB Control |
| GMP production (small scale) | Full compliance + e-sigs | CFR Part 11 partial (no e-sigs yet) | TruBio DV (e-sigs today) |
| GMP production (large scale) | Proven at scale | Not designed for this | TruBio DV |
| Continuous manufacturing | DeltaV MPC + PAT | Not supported | TruBio DV |
Cosmetics
| Criterion | TruBio DV | QB Control | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formulation development | ISA-88 batch — overkill | Visual recipe designer — right-sized | QB Control |
| Small batch production | Capable but expensive | Affordable with compliance support | QB Control |
| Multi-product flexibility | Good batch engine | Process reconfiguration in minutes | QB Control |
| Scale-up to production | Proven path | Limited to pilot/early production | TruBio DV |
Academic / Research
| Criterion | TruBio DV | QB Control | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching labs | Far too expensive | Affordable, visual, intuitive | QB Control |
| Research bioprocessing | Expensive, slow to set up | Fast, modular, reconfigurable | QB Control |
| Multi-student access | Licensed per workstation | Any browser, multi-user concurrent | QB Control |
| Publication-ready data | Historian + Batch Analytics | Graphs export (SVG, PNG, CSV) + Reports (PDF, DOCX) | Tie |
12. What QB Control Can Replace
Full Replacement Scenarios
1. Lab-Scale Bioreactor Control (150 mL–10 L) — DeltaV G3Lab / TruBio DV lab system → QB Edge + QB Modules. Value: ~74% lower TCO, days vs. months setup, no SI, browser-based access.
2. Parallel Small-Scale Fermentation — DeltaV Batch multi-vessel network → QB Control multi-process with QB Multiagitator. Value: plug-and-play parallel, auto-generated P&ID per process, sequential auto-stop campaigns, lower incremental cost per vessel.
3. Stainless-Steel Pilot Cells with Existing PLCs (new) — DeltaV controller layer → QB Control on an industrial PC integrating the PLC via OPC-UA + the OPC UA Connector. Value: reuse field hardware, no DeltaV license, no SI re-engineering.
4. Multi-Vendor Integration (Non-Thermo Hardware) — TruBio DV + SmartOPC bridges → QB Control native OPC-UA/Modbus/REST. Value: $0 integration cost vs. $5K–15K per SmartOPC bridge, 15 minutes vs. 2–4 weeks per vendor.
5. Automated Sampling Systems — DeltaV + custom sampling → QB Selector Valve (24 positions) + QB Syringe Pump + recipe. Value: native sampling workflow, visual recipe design.
6. Media Preparation Stations — DeltaV batch → QB Pumps + Scales + Agitator + recipe. Value: modular, reconfigurable, fraction of cost.
7. pH/DO/Temperature Control Loops — DeltaV PID loops with HART/Fieldbus sensors → QB Multisensor (Hamilton/MT) + QB Gasflow + QB Thermo + services. Value: native sensor integration, no adapters, no Fieldbus complexity, no SmartOPC fee.
8. Process Development & Rapid Iteration — DeltaV configuration + engineering → QB Control process import/export + device mapping + rapid reconfiguration. Value: change setups in minutes, run different configs on parallel vessels.
Partial Replacement Scenarios
9. Pilot-to-Early-Production Upstream (10–200 L) — QB Control handles monitoring, control, and automation; TruBio DV may still be needed for complex cascade control or MPC at larger scale. Value: QB Control as primary platform with an OPC-UA bridge to DeltaV for advanced functions.
10. Small-Scale GMP Production — QB Control provides partial 21 CFR Part 11 conformance (records, audit trails, RBAC, data integrity; e-signatures on roadmap). Value: lower validation burden (GAMP 5 Category 4), but may require additional qualification documentation and an e-signature bridge until Q3 2026.
13. Where QB Control Creates Superior Value
13.1 Time-to-Process
| Metric | TruBio DV | QB Control | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| System setup | 14+ weeks | < 1 week | 93% faster |
| Add a bioreactor | 2–4 weeks | < 1 day | 95% faster |
| Recipe modification | Weeks (qualified DeltaV engineer) | Minutes (visual drag-and-drop) | ~200× faster |
| New process configuration | Days–weeks | Hours (import/export or visual config) | 80% faster |
13.2 Value Summary
Each pillar is detailed in the section noted; in brief, QB Control delivers:
- Lower TCO — ~74% lower 5-year cost for a 6-bioreactor lab ($185K vs. $720K), perpetual license, no DeltaV licensing tax, no system integrator, no dedicated workstations (§10).
- No vendor lock-in / hardware freedom — open sensors and consumables at market price (not locked to Thermo single-use), native multi-vendor integration with no SmartOPC bridge fees, or reuse of existing PLCs (§5).
- Operational simplicity — browser-based, auto-discovery, no-code recipes, multi-user access, and a single Health Monitoring dashboard (§3, §6).
- Instant strategy changes — ~40 pre-built services and reusable Service Profiles let scientists swap a control strategy in minutes, not weeks (§7).
- Modern, open integration — native OPC-UA, REST, MQTT, SQL, MTP, and secure remote access with QR-code setup, with no proprietary Thermo Connect middleware (§5).
- Right-sized safety & governance — P-Stop/E-Stop, Safe Position Logic, and a mandatory pre-execution checklist + Validator (§8).
14. Gaps & Limitations
TruBio DV Capabilities Not Available in QB Control
| Capability | TruBio DV | QB Control | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model Predictive Control (MPC) | DeltaV PredictPro (economic optimizer) | Not available | High |
| PAT Integration | DeltaV Spectral PAT (embedded chemometrics) | Not available | High |
| Digital Twin / Simulation | DeltaV Mimic | Not available | Medium |
| ISA-88 Full Compliance | Best-in-class, formally certified | Follows batch concepts; not formally certified | Medium |
| MES Integration | Syncade (native EBR, ERP/LIMS/CMMS) | REST API integration point | Medium |
| Thermo Single-Use Ecosystem | Native HyPerforma/DynaDrive/TruPerforma | Via OPC-UA (slightly more setup) | Medium |
| Production Scale (>2,000 L, multi-train) | Proven at 5,000 L | Single-site, lab-to-pilot/early-production focus | High |
| Enterprise Multi-Site | Multi-site with enterprise historian | Single-site (networkable) | High |
| Electronic Signatures | Built-in | On roadmap (Q3 2026) | High for regulated production today |
| SIL-rated Safety | SIS integration | Not SIL-rated | Medium |
| Foundation Fieldbus | Native | Not supported | Low (declining protocol) |
| Batch Analytics | Cross-batch statistical analysis | CSV export for external analysis | Medium |
| Installed-Base Pedigree | 500+ pharma facilities (top-20 pharma) | Growing biotech/R&D base | Medium (risk perception) |
Honest Assessment of QB Control Limitations
- Scale ceiling — optimized for lab-to-pilot and early stainless-steel production; very large multi-train production still favors a full DCS
- No MPC — multivariable predictive control with an economic optimizer is not available
- No PAT — inline spectral analysis and chemometric models are not embedded
- No digital twin — simulation and operator-training capabilities are absent
- No native MES — electronic batch records require integration with an external MES
- No electronic signatures yet — 21 CFR Part 11 conformance is partial until the Q3 2026 release
- ISA-88 not formally certified — QB Control follows batch concepts but is not formally certified, which some large pharma may require
- Liquid-handling focus — QB Control does not address gas-phase, solid-phase, or complex hybrid processes
- Production proof-of-concept smaller than TruBio DV — TruBio DV has a deep, proven installed base at 5,000 L; QB Control’s field evidence at the largest scales is still building
15. Migration & Replacement Scenarios
Scenario A: Greenfield Lab (No Existing TruBio DV)
Recommendation: QB Control. New lab from scratch = no migration, no legacy. QB Control provides everything needed for lab/pilot bioprocessing, ~74% cost savings vs. a TruBio DV/DeltaV system, operational in days — and no Thermo single-use lock-in.
Scenario B: TruBio DV Lab Seeking Modernization
Recommendation: QB Control replacement. Replace TruBio DV lab systems with QB Control; maintain TruBio DV for any connected production systems; bridge via OPC-UA if needed. ROI typically recovered in <12 months through eliminated license/support and SmartOPC bridge costs.
Scenario C: Stainless-Steel Pilot Cell with an Existing PLC
Recommendation: QB Control on an industrial PC. Deploy QB Control on an industrial PC, integrate the existing PLC over OPC-UA via the OPC UA Connector, and keep the field instruments. Value: DCS-class supervisory control and recipes without the DeltaV price, lock-in, or SI re-engineering.
Scenario D: Multi-Vendor Facility Escaping the Thermo Ecosystem
Recommendation: QB Control for hardware freedom. Facilities adding Levitronix, Pall, or custom hardware face SmartOPC bridge costs and re-validation on TruBio DV. QB Control integrates these natively at $0 incremental software cost; keep existing Thermo gear connected via OPC-UA. Value: negotiate hardware on performance/price, not lock-in.
Scenario E: CDMO Scaling Up Client Projects
Recommendation: QB Control for client-facing process development. Rapid setup/teardown for different client processes; process import/export + device mapping for fast replication; lower cost per project = higher margins; TruBio DV retained for production-scale manufacturing where appropriate.
Scenario F: Academic / Research Institution
Recommendation: QB Control (full replacement). A DeltaV-based TruBio DV is prohibitively expensive for teaching/research; QB Control provides professional-grade control at accessible cost, multi-student browser access (no per-seat licensing), and modular hardware for curriculum flexibility.
16. Competitive Positioning Strategy
Positioning Statement
QB Control is not competing with TruBio DV at production scale. QB Control replaces the portion of the TruBio DV / DeltaV footprint that was never designed for lab and pilot-scale bioprocessing. TruBio DV is a bioprocess application on a plant-wide DCS, optimized for Thermo single-use bioreactors. QB Control is a modular SCADA-class platform built specifically for the bench, the hood, the pilot hall — and now, with its industrial-PC deployment, the stainless-steel pilot cell that already has a PLC. When a lab spends $720K over 5 years on a TruBio DV/DeltaV system to run 6 bioreactors, they’re buying a Boeing 747 to commute to work. QB Control delivers the same lab/pilot capability for $185K with a perpetual license, hardware freedom, and a Services Catalog that lets scientists change experimental strategies in minutes, not weeks.
Key Sales Arguments Against TruBio DV
| TruBio DV Pain Point | QB Control Advantage | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| ”TruBio DV costs $300K+ for a 6-bioreactor lab” | Complete 6-bioreactor lab for ~$100K hardware + perpetual license | ~74% lower 5-year TCO |
| ”DeltaV license fees never stop” | Perpetual license — buy once, use forever | No recurring license costs |
| ”Changing our pH control strategy takes weeks” | Swap a service template in 5 minutes | ~200× faster strategy changes |
| ”We waited 14 weeks for our system” | Unbox Monday, first experiment Friday | Plug-and-play, auto-discovery |
| ”We need a system integrator for any change” | Visual recipe designer + Services Catalog, self-service | No coding, no SI dependency |
| ”TruBio DV requires Windows workstations” | Any browser on any device | Zero client infrastructure |
| ”Adding non-Thermo hardware needs a SmartOPC bridge” | Native OPC-UA/Modbus/REST; PoE auto-discovery | $0 vs. $5K–15K per bridge |
| ”Validation took 6 months” | GAMP 5 Cat. 4, validated in weeks | 50–75% validation reduction |
| ”We’re locked into the Thermo single-use ecosystem” | Open sensors, open consumables, open protocols, MTP | No vendor lock-in at any level |
| ”We can’t access the system remotely without IT” | Secure remote access with QR-code setup | Phone/tablet/PC, role-based |
| ”DeltaV 5.0 dates to 2016 with limited innovation” | Actively developed, new features regularly | Modern, evolving platform |
When NOT to Position Against TruBio DV
Do NOT position QB Control against TruBio DV when the client needs:
- Production-scale, multi-train manufacturing (>2,000 L)
- Model Predictive Control or advanced process optimization
- PAT/spectral integration for continuous manufacturing
- Enterprise multi-site DCS deployment
- Safety Instrumented Systems (SIL-rated)
- Formal ISA-88 certification
- Electronic signatures on an active IND today (before QB Control’s Q3 2026 release)
- Deep, exclusive Thermo single-use ecosystem standardization with no interest in multi-vendor hardware
- Integration with existing plant-wide MES/ERP (e.g., Syncade)
In these cases, position QB Control as complementary to TruBio DV — handling lab/pilot while TruBio DV handles production, bridged via OPC-UA.
17. Feature-by-Feature Matrix
| # | Feature | TruBio DV | QB Control | QB Advantage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORE CONTROL | |||||
| 1 | Bioreactor control | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | TruBio: MPC; QB: PID-based services | |
| 2 | Mixer/agitator control | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB native agitator modules (up to 6 vessels) |
| 3 | Pump control | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: 4 pump types native + SmartPump OPC |
| 4 | Sampler control | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: native selector valve (24 positions) |
| 5 | Gas flow control | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | QB native; TruBio 3rd-party | |
| 6 | Temperature control | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | TruBio: broader range; QB: 2–42 °C | |
| 7 | Valve control | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: Set Valve State block + three-way valves |
| 8 | Scale/weight measurement | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: native multiscale (6 channels) |
| 9 | Foam detection | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: patent-pending optical sensor |
| 10 | LED/light control | ★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | TruBio: not in ecosystem; QB: native |
| PARALLEL PROCESSING | |||||
| 11 | Multi-device parallel | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | TruBio: more vessels at scale | |
| 12 | Sequential campaign queuing | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | QB: Pending queue + auto-stop (new) | |
| 13 | Auto-generated P&ID per process | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB auto-generates; TruBio manual |
| 14 | Process import/export + device mapping | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: one-click replication + remap |
| 15 | Multi-user concurrent access | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: any browser; TruBio: licensed stations |
| RECIPE, BATCH & SERVICES | |||||
| 16 | Recipe management | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | TruBio: ISA-88 formal; QB: visual | |
| 17 | Visual recipe designer | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: drag-and-drop, no coding |
| 18 | Recipe versioning | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: Draft→Verified→Validated→Hold→Archived |
| 19 | Services Catalog | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: ~40 services across 10 categories; TruBio: SmartParts only |
| 20 | Service Profiles (reusable params) | ★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: grouped/atomic + portable import/export |
| 21 | Variables / Timer / Manual blocks | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: unified block library (new) |
| 22 | Strategy switching speed | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: swap service in minutes |
| 23 | Batch Board (execution tracking) | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Both strong; QB adds flow-diagram export | |
| 24 | Pre-execution safety checklist | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: mandatory + Validator (system-enforced) |
| 25 | Campaign / batch analytics | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | TruBio: built-in analytics | |
| INTEGRATION | |||||
| 26 | OPC UA | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: native + dedicated OPC UA Connector |
| 27 | REST API | ★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB native; TruBio lacks (Thermo Connect proprietary) |
| 28 | MQTT | ★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB native; TruBio needs gateway |
| 29 | SQL access | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB native JDBC/ODBC |
| 30 | LDAP/AD SSO | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB native; TruBio via Windows |
| 31 | MTP support | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | Both support; TruBio more mature tooling | |
| 32 | Hamilton / Mettler Toledo sensors | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: direct via Modbus RS485; TruBio via bridge |
| 33 | PLC reuse (Wago/Siemens/Beckhoff) | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: industrial-PC deployment (new) |
| 34 | Multi-vendor / non-Thermo hardware | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB native; TruBio SmartOPC bridge cost |
| 35 | Thermo single-use ecosystem | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | TruBio native; QB via OPC-UA | |
| COMPLIANCE | |||||
| 36 | 21 CFR Part 11 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ⚠️ | TruBio full; QB partial (no e-sigs yet) |
| 37 | GAMP 5 classification | Cat. 5 | Cat. 4 | ✅ | QB: lower validation burden |
| 38 | ISA-18.2 alarms | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | Both conform | |
| 39 | Audit trail | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Both comprehensive | |
| 40 | Electronic signatures | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ⚠️ | TruBio full; QB roadmap Q3 2026 |
| 41 | Safe Position Logic (GMP) | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: built-in configurable feature |
| USABILITY & OPS | |||||
| 42 | Setup time | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: 93% faster |
| 43 | Learning curve | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: no formal training needed |
| 44 | Documentation quality | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ✅ | QB: browser help + Online Portal |
| 45 | Client device flexibility | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: any browser; TruBio Windows-only |
| 46 | Remote access | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: secure VPN + QR setup (new) |
| 47 | Health monitoring dashboard | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: consolidated module/host health (new) |
| 48 | Configuration approach | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: visual, no code |
| COST & LICENSING | |||||
| 49 | Initial investment | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | 67–75% lower (6-bioreactor) |
| 50 | 5-year TCO | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | ~74% lower TCO |
| 51 | License model | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB perpetual; TruBio recurring |
| 52 | Incremental expansion cost | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | Fraction of cost |
| 53 | SI dependency | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: self-service |
| 54 | Vendor lock-in | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✅ | QB: open ecosystem |
| ADVANCED CAPABILITIES | |||||
| 55 | MPC | ★★★★★ | ❌ | TruBio exclusive | |
| 56 | PAT spectral | ★★★★★ | ❌ | TruBio exclusive | |
| 57 | Digital twin | ★★★★ | ❌ | TruBio exclusive | |
| 58 | MES | ★★★★★ | ★★ | TruBio: native Syncade | |
| 59 | Enterprise multi-site | ★★★★★ | ★★ | TruBio exclusive |
Summary Scores by Category
| Category | TruBio DV Average | QB Control Average | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Control | 3.9 | 4.5 | QB Control |
| Parallel Processing | 3.8 | 4.6 | QB Control |
| Recipe, Batch & Services | 3.4 | 4.7 | QB Control |
| Integration | 3.0 | 4.8 | QB Control |
| Compliance | 4.6 | 4.3 | TruBio DV (e-sigs today) |
| Usability & Ops | 2.4 | 4.9 | QB Control |
| Cost & Licensing | 2.0 | 5.0 | QB Control |
| Advanced Capabilities | 4.6 | 0.3 | TruBio DV |
Overall: QB Control wins in 6 of 8 categories for the target lab/pilot/early-production market. With its unified recipe block library, sequential auto-stop campaigns, native MTP, secure remote access, Health Monitoring, and the industrial-PC deployment path, QB Control’s lead in Recipe/Batch, Integration, Usability, and Cost widens. TruBio DV retains the lead in compliance maturity (electronic signatures today) and advanced capabilities (MPC, PAT, Digital Twin) plus native Thermo single-use ecosystem integration — primarily relevant at production scale.
Recent QB Control Enhancements (current release)
The current QB Control release adds the capabilities referenced in this comparison (reflecting the current QB Control release):
- Batch scheduling — recurring (daily / weekly / interval) or one-time run schedules per batch, with a calendar view, named schedules, skip-on-conflict handling, and matching audit-trail records.
- Recipe portability — a recipe can be reassigned to a different process, automatically remapping its devices and services so a proven design moves between similar lines instead of being rebuilt.
- Equipment changes from the P&ID — lab equipment can be added directly in the P&ID editor (auto-creating the matching inventory and process records), with freeform note elements and anchor-point piping connections; lab equipment can also be added or removed on already-deployed processes without creating a new process version.
- Embedded OPC UA server — the OPC UA Connector can now run its own embedded OPC UA server, letting external OPC UA clients (e.g., MES, historians) read from QB Control directly.
- Expanded catalog — six additional tangential-flow (cross-flow) filtration services and six new lab-equipment types (including cooling chamber, filter cassette, hollow-fiber filter, and vials holder).
- Operations & safety — an alarm watchdog reconciling alarm state against live equipment values every 30 seconds; calibration that reserves the device during calibration (blocking conflicting operations); Protect / Interlock faceplate safeguards; audit-trail events filtered to the active license; and license-aware controls shown with explanatory tooltips.
- Usability — an in-app Help section with guided walkthroughs and searchable content across every module; search across inventory tables; and Health Monitoring showing system start time and uptime.
Legal Notice & Disclaimer
Versions compared. This comparison is between QB Control (release 6.x, per the current QB Control release notes) and Thermo Scientific™ TruBio™ DV (Discovery); TruBio™ Software version 5.x per public documentation. Feature statements in this document refer to these versions.
Accuracy and currency. The information provided in this comparison is based on publicly available data gathered on 20 July 2026. While we strive to keep this information accurate and up to date, product features, pricing, and terms are subject to change by the respective manufacturers. We make no warranties regarding the absolute accuracy of the competitor data, and a later release may add, change, or remove capabilities described here.
Trademarks. All trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product, and service names used in this document are for identification and comparison purposes only, and use of these names, trademarks, and brands does not imply endorsement or affiliation. Thermo Scientific™, TruBio™, HyPerforma™, and DynaDrive™ are trademarks of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.; DeltaV™ is a trademark of Emerson Electric Co. QB Control and QB Systems are brands of A4BEE Sp. z o.o.
Transparency note. This comparison is prepared, owned, and operated by A4BEE Sp. z o.o., the creators of QB Systems and QB Control. It was created to highlight how our product differs from other options on the market, based on objective, verifiable features.
Purpose and limitation of liability. This comparison is provided for informational and educational purposes only, to help readers build knowledge of the options available to them. It is not an assessment, audit, ranking, benchmark, or endorsement of the technical expertise, quality, safety, or performance of Thermo Scientific™ TruBio™ DV or its vendor. A4BEE Sp. z o.o. assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content, nor for any decisions made based on this information; any reliance on the comparison is at the reader’s own risk.
Comparative-advertising basis. This document is intended to align with applicable comparative-advertising and fair-use rules, including EU Directive 2006/114/EC and US nominative-fair-use principles: it compares products intended for the same needs, relies on material, relevant, verifiable, and representative features, and is not intended to mislead or to denigrate any competitor. Where a competitor capability could not be verified from public sources, it is identified as such. If you believe any statement is inaccurate or out of date, please contact [email protected] and it will be reviewed and corrected promptly.
Assumptions
To keep the comparison transparent and fair, the following assumptions and estimates were applied:
- Third-party capabilities are interpreted from public vendor datasheets, brochures, manuals, and websites current at the analysis date. Where a capability was not clearly documented publicly, it is described as such (“not clearly documented,” “appears limited,” etc.) rather than asserted or denied.
- Competitor pricing and total-cost-of-ownership figures are indicative estimates derived from public information and typical configurations — not vendor quotations or list prices.
- QB Control reference figures are indicative, based on past quotations, and do not constitute a specific priced offer.
- The comparison assumes a lab-to-pilot bioprocessing context (roughly 150 mL–50 L, plus stainless-steel pilot/production via PLC over OPC-UA); conclusions may differ at large multi-train production scale.
- “QB Control” reflects the current released version at the analysis date; third-party products reflect the newest versions identified in public sources.
Sources
QB Control capabilities referenced in this document reflect QB Control release 6.x (current release).
Product and brand names listed below are trademarks of their respective owners (attributed in the Legal Notice & Disclaimer) and are used here for identification and comparison purposes only.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific TruBio™ DV Software
- Thermo Fisher HyPerforma™ Single-Use Bioreactors (S.U.B.)
- Thermo Fisher HyPerforma™ DynaDrive™ Single-Use Bioreactor
- Emerson DeltaV DCS Platform
- DeltaV Batch Control & Operations
- DeltaV Spectral PAT
- Thermo Fisher Connect Platform
- FDA 21 CFR Part 11 — Electronic Records; Electronic Signatures
- GAMP 5: A Risk-Based Approach to Compliant GxP Computerized Systems (ISPE)
- ISA-88 Batch Control Standard (IEC 61512)
- ISA-18.2 Alarm Management Standard
- OPC Foundation — OPC UA Specification
- NAMUR Module Type Package (MTP)
- EudraLex Volume 4 — EU GMP Annex 11: Computerised Systems
Analysis prepared July 2026 | Version 1.0 (v1-July) | QB Systems vs. TruBio DV competitive positioning QB Systems — Flexible. Innovative. Limitless. | A product brand of A4BEE Sp. z o.o. | https://qb.systems