84 Seamless System Integration
Stable Micro Systems has developed new software technology that allows its texture analysers to be fully integrated into Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). This is a significant step for TA.XTplus and TA.HDplus users, as the results of their tests can now automatically form part of a wider quality management system. With increasing pressure being placed on manufacturers of consumer products, LIMS represent a vital tool against threats to brand reputation, such as product recalls, and internal issues such as inconsistent or incomplete data and resource shortages. A comprehensive and systematic approach is a core requirement in today’s laboratory environment and the integration of Stable Micro Systems’ Texture Exponent™ software within LIMS will allow users to store, process and report a wide range of data. Highly detailed information, from ingredient and component specifications to final product analysis, will interface with information from other instruments in the lab. All data is consolidated in a single interface and can be presented in a uniform format, with each individual work step, result and user recorded accurately. Consequently, daily operations are standardised, promising consistent quality of results.
Jo Smewing, Applications Manager, Stable Micro Systems, commented: “Following recent events concerning product safety, regulation and compliance in particular, manufacturers are seeking more effective and efficient quality systems. LIMS allow full integration of vast amounts of information and enable uniform, precise measurements and consistent monitoring of samples – crucial factors in the lab. Improving our software and facilitating a seamless link with LIMS technology was a must to help our users remain leaders in their field.
“Crucially, Stable Micro Systems can simplify or alleviate paper work, which allows more efficient and cost-effective pooling of resources, and reduces the risk of human error. Configuration parameters, automatic data capture and storage, real-time statistical analysis and advanced comparison and reporting features are key benefits enabled by our updated software and its integration into LIMS.”
Circle no. 267
IT SOLUTIONS
Making Published Data More Accessible and Comparable
Saving OEMs Time and Money in Developing Custom Software
WinLims Rental Solution Sees Tax Man Pay for your LIMS
One of the largest challenges facing researchers today is the ability to incorporate all available knowledge in their analysis. Scientists worldwide publish a significant amount of research every day, which means that it is now possible to compare new findings with other publicly available material.
Qlucore has unveiled Qlucore Omics Explorer 2.1, which features seamless links to Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data. This new feature will allow scientists to benefit from already published material, and to compare and enhance their own results in a very short time.
"Qlucore Omics Explorer 2.1 has been designed to improve everyday efficiency by providing a method for easier data import and the ability to download data sets directly from GEO," said Carl-Johan Ivarsson, President, Qlucore.
Plus, as Qlucore Omics Explorer 2.1 supports instant data analysis, this latest version of the software will enable scientists and biologists to explore different hypotheses and alternative scenarios within seconds.
The software will therefore be invaluable for unveiling important new discoveries, as it will allow the actual researchers to study the data and to look for patterns and structures, without needing to be a statistics or computer expert.
This latest version of Qlucore Omics Explorer also includes new functionality for variable list handling. Automatic lists are created including all active variables, as well as the variables selected through the search tool, making it very easy for the user to capture results. Plus, as a second step in the analysis, it is now possible to perform set operations such as union and intersection on lists.
Version 2.1 also provides support for new data formats, as well as a direct import of data from miRNA experiments pre-processed with the Agilent Feature Extraction Software. In addition to these important new features, Qlucore Omics Explorer 2.1 includes a large number of other enhancements, such as a colour legend, better handling of annotations, improved memory efficiency, multiple scatter plots, and a more flexible mouse tool.
Circle no. 268
Initially developed for OEM use in embedded system applications, Ocean Optics has introduced the new SeaBreeze OEM Driver Software. This compact, fast and flexible software saves OEMs time and money with a basic starting platform that can be customised, by developers, for their own unique applications and instruments.
Without the typical Java run time load of other platforms, SeaBreeze delivers faster processing and is compact enough to be built directly into spectral libraries smaller than 500k. Its superior speed is achieved by minimal overhead between requesting and reading out data. SeaBreeze communicates with devices using different protocols and buses and easily accommodates the addition of support for new features within existing devices. The portable software design enables SeaBreeze to be adapted to new platforms simply by providing a native implementation of the bus interfaces for the target.
Intended for use by experienced C/C++ programmers, SeaBreeze provides a starting point for developers that would otherwise have to create an equivalent device interface because existing options are too large or complex for their application. It supports most Ocean Optics’ USB spectrometers for Linux and Windows operating systems, and is extensible so developers can add required enhancements to increase functionality and device compatibility.
Ocean Optics’ dedicated OEM engineering team provides expert integration support to assist OEMs with their development challenges. As the result of specifying and delivering over 100,000 custom- system spectrometers since 1992, the OEM team is able to address any mechanical, software, optical, or electronic integration need.
Circle no. 269
Quality Systems International (QSI) is urging businesses to view the Tax Man as a benevolent friend when it comes to investing in a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to improve their efficiency. QSI offers an innovative no risk rental payment option, WinLims Rental, which has been developed to give organisations a tax efficient option for investing in WinLims, one of the top three global commercial LIMS solutions.
“If your company is making profits and paying corporation tax, you can offset the rental fees for your LIMS, which will reduce your tax burden by the amount of the fees,” explained Clive Collier, QSI’s Managing Director. “This means your LIMS is paid for by the government and effectively costs your company nothing. Organisations should do themselves a favour and make a New Year’s resolution to embrace the Tax Man as a friend by using rental payments to invest in a new LIMS. It really is one of those rare opportunities when your business can actually learn to love the tax system.”
Collier continued: “WinLIMS Rental’s minimal upfront costs and small monthly payments all help conserve your working capital, which can then be used for other business needs. For example, bank interest can be generated from the capital saved by using our rental scheme.” The return on investment for a capital LIMS purchase is typically two to three years. However, the short time required to go live with WinLIMS Rental, together with its low monthly fees, means that the return on investment using the rental option can be as little as three months.
“Once the return on investment point has been reached, the business efficiencies and savings will be covering the monthly rental fees from that point onwards which means that WinLims will then be paying for itself,” explained Collier. “WinLims version upgrades are included within the monthly fee, greatly reducing the ongoing costs: whereas most LIMS vendors charge a significant amount for upgrades, your system will have continued improvement free of charge”. The WinLims Rental scheme also offers organisations a great degree of business flexibility because they do not need to commit to rent for any fixed period and if, after any period of time, they wish to stop using the product, then all they need to do is cease the monthly fee payments.
Circle no. 270
INTERNATIONAL LABMATE - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2010 - IT SOLUTIONS
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