LIMSzine
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Welcome!
PittCon '94 Roundup
LIMS: A Knowledge-Based Service
Welcome to the inaugural Lab Data Management column. Over the coming
months, you'll be presented with a diverse range of topics and events in
the LIMS arena, including networking issues, application and technical notes,
interviews and user Q&A forums, trends driving LIMS development, and
more. Whatever impacts your LIMS is grist for the mill! The column is designed
for users, to highlight issues that you're wrestling with and provide solutions
that others have developed in response to their own challenges.
PittCon Roundup
Over a dozen new LIMS products and services were introduced at the recent
Pittsburgh Conference. Fisons introduced
ELIMS, LabStation 2, DeskTop Reporter, and a new release of VG LIMS that
takes advantage of ultra-fast DEC AlphaAXP 64-bit RISC technology. A Windows-based
client server system that provides integrated solutions for environmental
labs, ELIMS is compliant with both GLP and GALP. LabStation 2 is a PC Windows-based
instrument data acquisition system that enables automatic collection and
review of lab data and results transfer to a LIMS. DeskTop Reporter is a
PC-based system that integrates LIMS data into a Windows desktop environment,
and utilizes sophisticated data manipulation and interactive report functions.
Waters Chromatography introduced the new Millennium® 2020 C/S network
for VMSTM servers and NovellTM networks. The Millennium 2020 C/S is a client/server
network that can be utilized in a VMS operating platform as well as over
a Novell network. The VMS platform enables enhanced database capabilities,
system security, and report generation tools. The Novell network enables
labs to seamlessly integrate workstations into a corporate-wide network
system for greater productivity.
The latest version of Hewlett Packard's
ChemLMS software (A.01) features improved customization flexibility, new
report and query tools, a new graphical user interface (GUI), and customizable
sample log-in and result entry panels. Additionally, ChemLMS A.01 offers
remote access support and Oracle Run Time license as well as support for
Oracle7.
Varian introduced a new version of their LIMS product. StarLIMS 5.0 updates
the existing PC network-based LIMS with new features -- such as a unified
methods feature, blending and formulation option, and global update option
-- to expedite and simplify data management.
Northwest Analytical introduced version 1.6 of NWA LIMS. Upgrades include
the release of a Novell Netware version, as well as enhanced lab QA/QC,
batch log-in, user-defined context-sensitive help, improved barcode capabilities,
and expanded text handling.
Advanced Systems Management, Inc. (ASMI) released Multi LIMS 3.0, which
includes improved and expanded features such as schedule log-in, printer
assignments, audit trail functions, multiple limits definitions, user-defined
QC algorithms, aliquotting of samples, sample disposal tracking, and more.
Labtronics introduced LimsLink, a software interface that uses a common
platform to link any instrument to any LIMS or LDMS. No programming is required
to use the system, which can simultaneously collect and manage data for
up to nine instruments and serve a the hub and control center for data capture
before transfer to the LIMS.
Analytical Automation Specialists,
LabTask, and Lab Microsystems Inc. all announced Windows support, enabling
use of their products in both Windows and DOS environments. Lab Microsystems
also announced 24 hour product support.
LIMS: A Knowledge-Based Service
LIMS are a knowledge-based service that take advantage of the latest computer
system capabilities according to Paul Batchelder, General Manager for Perkin-Elmer
Nelson (Cupertino, CA). "Only today are LIMS really becoming useful.
By using standards like Oracle, LIMS can integrate lab data information
and make it available as knowledge. Earlier LIMS were unable to communicate
with other databases or get into the information stream. Now, LIMS can become
part of a larger logical database and can connect to any number of independent
databases in the lab or the company. Products like SQL*QA, that use industry
standards and are Oracle-based, integrate the lab with a LIMS by integrating
different data from different levels in an enterprise. Sharing information
in this manner means users can make decisions faster, both online and in
real time. Users can jump around through several applications; cruise the
LIMS; acquire data, analyze it, and produce lab reports; and send faxes
or email. If the product is designed with a standard operating system, it
can then be used for all sorts of things. This creates more possibilities
for product use."