Introduction

Agilent Technologies’ Life Sciences and Chemical Analysis (LSCA) division is a global leader in laboratory instrumentation, supporting clients across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental testing, and academia. As its buy-back, trade-in, and demonstration programs expanded, Agilent faced a growing inventory of pre-owned instruments. Instead of treating this surplus as a routine cost of business, the company recognized an opportunity to turn it into a strategic advantage. Many customers did not require the newest high-end equipment but valued reliable, cost-effective alternatives, making pre-owned and earlier-generation models the perfect fit.

To seize this opportunity, Agilent hired Triskelle to develop and launch the RAPID (Refurbished Availability, Pricing, and Instrument Discount Application) sytem. Designed as both a sales enablement platform and an operational efficiency tool, RAPID gave sales engineers real-time visibility into refurbished inventory and pricing while equipping leadership with stronger forecasting and inventory management capabilities. Over time, RAPID evolved into a strategic business line, unlocking new revenue streams and reinforcing Agilent’s global market presence.

Company’s Role

Triskelle led the design, development, and rollout of RAPID application as a global enterprise sales platform. Key roles involved in the project included:

• Software Engineers (front-end, back-end, and full stack)
• Database Administrators and Data Integration Specialists
• Business Analysts and Project Managers
• Quality Assurance Engineers and Testers

The project required close coordination between stakeholders in the sales, operations, IT, and compliance teams to ensure the tool met diverse regional needs while remaining scalable and compliant with global regulations.

Functionality

RAPID introduced a set of robust, enterprise-grade functionalities that enabled Agilent to unlock the full value of its buy-back, trade-in, and demonstration programs. The system included:

• A global platform for viewing real-time refurbished inventory.
• Automated pricing algorithms that adjusted dynamically based on demand and stock levels.
• Built-in compliance validation with RoHS directives to ensure instruments met regulatory standards before being offered for resale in the European Union (EU).
• A reporting and forecasting module providing sales and operations leadership with visibility into inventory trends, understocked categories, and high-demand instruments.
• ETL pipelines feeding the application with near real-time inventory and pricing data.
• An Angular-based front-end providing a smooth, desktop-like experience.
• Secure authentication and access control via Windows Server and Active Directory.

Collectively, these features transformed RAPID into an indispensable tool for Agilent’s sales engineers and operations leaders.

Impact on Organizational Maturity

Enhanced Digital Infrastructure

RAPID replaced fragmented and manual processes with a centralized digital platform. Sales engineers gained immediate access to refurbished inventory data, while operations could monitor global trends in real time. This enhanced digital infrastructure provided a secure and scalable foundation for Agilent’s refurbished business vertical.

Process Optimization

The introduction of ETL pipelines and automated workflows significantly reduced manual work and errors. Sales engineers no longer needed to chase down refurbished inventory information; RAPID presented it instantly. Operations staff benefited from streamlined forecasting and trend analysis, reducing inefficiencies and ensuring faster decision-making.

Operational Efficiency

By creating a global platform that enabled idle refurbished instruments to be monetized, RAPID transformed the way Agilent leveraged its product lifecycle. Sales representatives could close deals that previously would have been lost due to lack of visibility. Additionally, contracts and sourcing processes were formalized, ensuring a steady flow of refurbished equipment.

Improved Data Reliability and Reporting

RAPID integrated data validation mechanisms to ensure accuracy and consistency in pricing, compliance, and inventory reporting. Leadership teams could now make data-driven decisions with confidence, supported by reliable and near real-time information.

Increased Agility

The agility of RAPID’s architecture and processes empowered Agilent’s sales teams to quickly respond to customer needs, offering tailored, cost-effective product options in real time. By eliminating bottlenecks and introducing adaptive pricing and inventory visibility, RAPID allowed Agilent to capture new market opportunities and improve its competitive edge.

Business Impact

The platform’s architecture enabled Agilent to scale from a small pilot partnership between its R&D labs and Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) team to a full-fledged global program. The business line grew from $12M to $60M annually, demonstrating both the scalability of the technical solution and its ability to flexibly adapt to growing demand without requiring additional staff.