LIMSource News: What's New - November to December 2007

• Chenomx Releases Major Upgrade to Metabolomics Software Suite
• New NI Smart Cameras Powered by LabVIEW
• New NanoMarkets Report Predicts $15.8 Billion Organic Electronics Materials Market in 2015
• WinLIMS Rental Solution Improves Efficiency at Contract Lab
• Labtronics Announces Collect 6.1
• Waters Announces SystemsQT Qualification Tool and New MassPREP OST Standard
• Cambridge Biotech Software, Inc. Announces POLARIS
• Thermo Fisher Scientific To Implement Darwin LIMS at APP Pharmaceuticals Inc.
• Northwest Analytical Announces New White Paper Detailing 21st Century Process Management Using SPC Based Manufacturing Analytics
• University of Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre Chooses Scientific Data Management Solution from GenoLogics
• Labtronics Upgrades Empower to LIMS Interface
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Appoints Puerto Rico Partner Quality Instruments Solutions (QIS) to Support Informatics Sales
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Extends Informatics Offering into Venezuela and the Caribbean
Signs Agreement with Controval
• Ethosoft Provides More Web-Browser Based Features with the Release of X-LIMS Version 2.2
• SAWLA Implements Bika Interlab 1.2 Proficiency Testing Software
• VelQuest Partners with Autoscribe Ltd and Zumatrix, Inc. to Provide a LIMS Stability Study Module for Pharmaceutical Quality Operations
• Compendia Bioscience Signs Oncomine Licensing Agreement with AstraZeneca
• D-Tools System Integrator Named as Gold Winner in 2007 CE Pro High Impact Products Awards
• ACD/Labs Releases PhysChem Version 11.0
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches MetWorks 1.1.0 Metabolite Identification Software
• Xendo Drug Development Licenses LabVantage's Sapphire to Improve Laboratory Data Flow In Its Bioanalysis and Drug Metabolism Unit
• PerkinElmer Announces Localized Language ICP WinLab32 Software
• GenoLogics Announces Partnership with London Genetics
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches New Informatics Customer Initiative
• Labtronics' Nexxis 4.0 Validation Toolkit Speeds Up the Validation Process
• Matrix Software Chosen by Leading Pharmaceutical Company
• Bruker BioSciences Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2007
• RTS Life Science Extends its Bench Top Instrument Range
• Labtronics Announces Fully Integrated LIMS Interfacing for Chromeleon CDS
• Sapio Sciences Releases Copy Number Variation (CNV) Analysis Tool For Illumina Infinium Arrays
• Bruker Companies Announce the Opening of a Modern Chinese Applications, Demonstration and Customer Training Center in Beijing
• QATrax Releases Management Reports Solution for Test Labs
• PerkinElmer Introduces Series 200EP Photo Diode Array Detector
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Selected by China Doping Control Center to Supply Sports Doping Testing Instrumentation at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
• GenoLogics Welcomes New VP Finance and VP Products to Senior Management Team and Appoints New Chair of the Board
• Savi Technology Taps Solar Energy to Power RFID-Based Asset Tracking Systems
• Labtronics Reintroduces Collect Licensing Plan

Chenomx Releases Major Upgrade to Metabolomics Software Suite

Chenomx, Inc. has announced the release of Chenomx NMR Suite 5.0, the most significant product launch in Chenomx's history. Over the past year Chenomx has performed the first ground-up redesign of its industry-leading NMR-based metabolomics software since its initial release over five years ago. This release makes identifying and quantifying metabolites fast and accurate, reduces the time and effort involved with adding custom compound library entries, and makes managing large-scale metabolomics projects easier. Chenomx NMR Suite is a set of integrated software applications for performing NMR-based metabolomics. By integrating tools for creating and manipulating metabolic profiles, Chenomx NMR Suite allows users to identify and quantify metabolites in complex NMR spectra with unparalleled speed and accuracy. Chenomx NMR Suite can import data acquired with Varian, Bruker or JEOL spectrometers, as well as data from any JCAMP-DX data source. Chenomx Profiler, part of Chenomx NMR Suite, allows users to rapidly identify and quantify metabolites of interest using Chenomx compound libraries representing over 270 metabolites. Chenomx Compound Builder, also part of Chenomx NMR Suite, allows users to add their own compounds to the installed compound library, making it easy to identify and quantify any metabolite of interest. New and significantly enhanced modules in the 5.0 release include Spin Simulator, for creating quantum-mechanical rules-based simulations of compound lineshapes, and Library Manager, for managing large compound libraries and studies. For details, visit http://www.chenomx.com/products.

New NI Smart Cameras Powered by LabVIEW

National Instruments has introduced the NI Smart Camera, a powerful new tool for the engineer looking for an easy-to-use, complete solution for machine vision. These embedded, programmable devices come in many forms including embedded data loggers, SCADA systems, programmable automation controllers (PACs), and intelligent motor drives. Just as Ethernet has provided a common hardware interface to connect these devices, the NI LabVIEW graphical programming environment has provided a common software interface to program them. To add to the growing list of embedded industrial devices you can program with LabVIEW, National Instruments is introducing the first in a family of NI Smart Cameras. These smart cameras are ideally suited for industrial vision applications such as packaging inspection, assembly verification, 1D and 2D code reading, and motion guidance. NI Smart Cameras employ the same NI-IMAQ driver and NI Vision Development Module used with PC-based systems, simplifying the transition from design to deployment. A typical industrial camera acquires and transmits images through a standard camera bus, such as Camera Link or IEEE 1394, to a host PC or vision system that processes the images to extract meaningful information. NI Smart Cameras simplify this process by analyzing images directly on the camera with a PowerPC processor running LabVIEW Real-Time and the entire suite of NI vision algorithms. The first model in the family, the NI 1722 Smart Camera, runs a 400 MHz version of the PowerPC, and the second camera, the NI 1742 Smart Camera, features a 533 MHz version of the PowerPC. For details, visit http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/pub/p/id/192.

New NanoMarkets Report Predicts $15.8 Billion Organic Electronics Materials Market in 2015

The market for organic electronics materials will be worth $4.9 billion in 2012 surging to $15.8 billion in 2015, according to a new report from NanoMarkets, an industry analyst firm. The report, “Organic Harvest: Opportunities in Organic Electronic Materials” is the next in a series that analyzes the market for the semiconductors, conductors, dielectrics and substrates that will be used in the growing organic electronics industry. By 2015, NanoMarkets estimates that 80 percent of organic electronics materials will be sold into three applications: RFID, display backplanes and OLED lighting and displays. By then RFID will be the largest application accounting for $6.9 billion in materials sales, with today’s dominant application, OLEDs, accounting for $5.6 billion. NanoMarkets expect RFID to overtake OLEDs as the largest consumer of organic electronics materials by 2012. For details, visit http://www.nanomarkets.net.

WinLIMS Rental Solution Improves Efficiency at Contract Lab

Installation of QSI’s WinLIMS has brought major efficiency improvements to a contract laboratory. MicroCheck Technical Services Ltd has laboratories in Trowbridge and Coventry and offers testing and consultancy services to the food and beverage, pharmaceutical and allied industries. The company holds UKAS accreditation and is also approved by DEFRA, MHRA and leading retailers such as Marks and Spencer. Before WinLIMS, a largely paper-based system was used to record samples and results. There was a bottleneck at the reporting stage, with significant implications for clients holding stocks of foodstuffs pending a microbiology report. MicroCheck’s invoicing was also affected, with an obvious impact on cash flow. Two years on, with the same staffing levels, sample throughput has increased by 50% and many of the formerly manual processes have been automated, as described by Erik Thompson, Site Leader at the Coventry laboratory: "Samples are booked into WinLIMS via an electronic spreadsheet. Labels are generated automatically, and laboratory worksheets printed off in minutes. Results are automatically checked against customer specification limits held in the system. Because WinLIMS holds information in intuitively linked tables, it’s easy to extract data and present it in the client’s chosen format. One customer has said that because of this, his internal reporting has speeded up by 2-3 days. Invoicing is also done direct from the LIMS data, which has improved our cash flow. We’ve also been able to seamlessly integrate data from our new laboratory in Coventry into the “parent” WinLIMS system in Trowbridge." "We couldn’t have grown as we have without WinLIMS, and it’s now hard to imagine life without it” said General Manager Bill Thompson. Referring to QSI’s new software rental scheme, he added “WinLIMS Rental wasn’t available when we started, but we think it’s the ideal solution for companies like ours – our support contract with QSI is now on a rental basis.” For details, visit http://www.qsiuk.com.

Labtronics Announces Collect 6.1

Labtronics Inc. has released Collect 6.1, the newest version of their software for interfacing and controlling instruments and devices via RS232 or TCP/IP. Collect automates the use of Balances, Scales, pH, DO, Density meters, Spectrophotometers, Force Gages and many more serial output capable instruments. Collect connects with interface ports such as RS232, parses (extracts) only the required results from the raw data streams, and reports the values directly into Excel, Files, or any Windows application such as Internet Explorer or Data Entry windows. Collect provides its users with a very simple-to-set-up, flexible and easy-to-use program that eliminates the need to manually enter results and automatically adds meta-data such as Time, Date and User Details to the output, as required. This latest release adds new features and enhancements that expand Collect's interface options, enhance performance and simplify use - delivering more value for the same low cost. For details, visit http://www.labtronics.com/col.htm.

Waters Announces SystemsQT Qualification Tool and New MassPREP OST Standard

Waters has announced the SystemsQT qualification tool for Waters HPLC and Waters ACQUITY UltraPerformance LC (UPLC) systems in an Empower software environment. The SystemsQT qualification tool enables users to dramatically reduce compliance test time compared to traditional paper-based protocols. This new tool provides the highest level of assurance, consistency and traceability to ensure that instruments, software and interface devices satisfy the requirements of regulatory agencies and organizations. The SystemsQT qualification tool offers a whole system test approach for more accurate indication of overall system-level compliance, as well as secure online storage of qualification data for easy access and traceability. The SystemsQT qualification tool maximizes uptime and productivity by quickly qualifying instruments added to current system configurations compared to traditional methods. The system eliminates most manual calculations, reducing the opportunity for transcription-error and enabling faster, easier system-level tests. On average, the SystemsQT tool reduces overall downtime due to system qualification by 40% when compared to traditional, paper-based protocols. Additionally, Waters is introducing its new MassPREP Oligonucleotide Separation Technology (OST) Standard, designed to test and confirm the performance of liquid chromatography columns, instrumentation, and methods prior to the analysis of synthetic oligonucleotide DNA or RNA samples. Recommended for use with Waters ACQUITY UltraPerformance LC (UPLC) Technology, high-performance liquid chromatographs (HPLC), liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), or capillary electrophoresis (CE) systems, the MassPREP OST Standard increases laboratory productivity by eliminating the need for analysts to prepare and quality control their own standards. For details, visit http://www.waters.com.

Cambridge Biotech Software, Inc. Announces POLARIS

Cambridge Biotech Software, Inc. has announced their new lab product POLARIS, a global Patient Lab Results Reporting System that supports the receipt of patient lab data from both Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and non-LIMS systems and provides the ability to generate letters to report those results to Health Care Professionals (HCP) worldwide. POLARIS is a client server distributed database solution that’s designed with customizable data import modules which allow data sets to be accepted from multiple sources. Features include: Contact Management; Letter Generation; Automated Data Feeds; Custom Reports; and Bult-in Compliance. Cambridge Biotech Software provides software, consulting, and custom software services to Biotech, Pharma, and Life Science companies. They provide software services that include Project Management; Business Analysis; Software Development; Testing; and, Validation. For details, visit http://www.cambiosoft.com/POLARIS_by_Cambiosoft.pdf.

Thermo Fisher Scientific To Implement Darwin LIMS at APP Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, has been selected by APP Pharmaceuticals Inc. (formerly known as Abraxis Pharmaceutical Products) for a three site multi-phase rollout of Thermo Scientific Darwin LIMS. Darwin, a purpose-built LIMS for pharmaceutical manufacturing R&D and QA/QC, will be deployed in all three of APP’s manufacturing facilities located in New York, Illinois and Puerto Rico. APP Pharmaceuticals’ products have helped millions of people in the United States and Canada fight critical illnesses by providing a broad portfolio of multi-source and branded injectable pharmaceutical products, including difficult to manufacture and urgently needed medical products. The project is intended to harmonize processes, automate operations and consolidate data management in a single LIMS across all three sites. The multi-phase project will initially involve the deployment of Darwin’s inherent Environmental Monitoring functionality enabling facilities to move from manual systems onto an automated system for microbiological samples from the sterile manufacturing environment. The second phase of the project will feature an integrated LIMS and Chromatography Data System (CDS) implementation followed by the third phase of the LIMS rollout including SAP interfaces across all sites. Hector Jimenez, Senior Director of Quality Operations at APP, commented: “We selected Darwin LIMS because it offers purpose-built functionality for pharmaceutical manufacturing - the solution is extremely easy to configure and use for our environmental and our chemistry laboratories. In addition, we are confident that Darwin LIMS will provide efficiency improvements in the tracking of samples and in capabilities of trending data as well as compliance.” For details, visit http://www.thermo.com/informatics.

Northwest Analytical Announces New White Paper Detailing 21st Century Process Management Using SPC Based Manufacturing Analytics

Northwest Analytical, Inc. (NWA) has announced a new white paper, “21st Century Process Management Using SPC Based Manufacturing Analytics”. The paper details how process based manufacturing and business analytics enable enterprise decision making. SPC based Manufacturing Analytics is statistical and rule based, provides the aggregation, analysis and role-based visualization and reporting of manufacturing data that enables users to better understand and improve their processes, identify and reinforce best practices, react quickly to process events, and anticipate potential problems before they affect product quality, yield, or cost. SPC is fundamental to the corporate need of better data analysis. It is how to make more effective use of all the data in historians, MES, LIMS and ERP systems. It also allows for the reduction of complex, specialized process data into graphic visualizations which operations and management can quickly understand and from which informed action can be taken. The white paper, “21st Century Process Management Using SPC Based Manufacturing Analytics”, is available at http://www.nwasoft.com/appnotes/spc-based-ma.htm.

University of Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre Chooses Scientific Data Management Solution from GenoLogics

GenoLogics, a leading developer of lab and data management software solutions for life sciences research, has announced that the University of Alberta has selected Geneus for their informatics infrastructure and scientific data management system. GenoLogics installed Geneus at the Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre (ATAGC) at the University of Alberta in September of this year. Today, ATAGC is conducting diagnostic gene expression and transcriptomics research with the aim to develop new molecular diagnostics for organ transplant recipients. The research involves using gene expression microarrays to understand transplant rejection events, and has led to the identification of a series of gene expression (transcript) sets that provide new robust quantitative measurements for assessing rejection. These sets form the basis of a potentially new diagnostic system to use in conjunction with the current pathology system. In the future, they expect to use proteomics and metabolomics research to augment the research they are conducting, and they also plan to partner with pharmaceutical organizations to develop commercial therapeutic drugs to counter organ rejection. Dr. Philip Halloran, Director of the Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre, stated, “The challenge of applying the new sciences is that they are so rich in data – in information. To be successful in bringing the new genetic sciences to the bedside requires new approaches to managing information. We are doing this in organ transplants now, but every area of medicine will eventually be changed by these new technologies.” The Geneus solution will be used primarily as a scientific data management system (SDMS) to handle the data management component of the Centre’s gene expression and transcriptomics research. Geneus will provide the research informatics infrastructure to handle the Centre’s massive amount of scientific data, for example, an Affymetrix GeneChip microarray with over 50,000 genes in a single experiment. Geneus also provides a powerful LIMS which the Centre will use to handle lab operations and sample tracking and management. The ATAGC is devoted to using microarrays and other methods for gene expression both for new diagnostic insights and for exploring disease mechanisms. The Centre is in the process of establishing a service where research conducted on understanding the mechanisms and biological events associated with rejection of transplanted organs may be made available to other labs, institutions and clinicians. ATAGC has a unique database that houses gene expression data that comes from patient biopsies along with the related patient information, in which confidentiality and privacy are completely protected. This comprehensive database provides a view of molecular events and how the relate to clinical events, which can be used by researchers across multiple sciences within the University of Alberta and elsewhere. Initially, over 50 people consisting of lab technicians, researchers, bioinformaticians, and physicians will access and use this system. The Geneus solution will scale as the Centre expands and to enable collaboration between many remote users (through GenoLogics’ LabLink web collaboration system) and access to data across multiple labs. As the Genomics Centre grows, this configurable informatics platform can be adapted on the fly to include processes and workflows for other sciences. For details, visit http://www.genologics.com or http://www.atagc.med.ualberta.ca.

Labtronics Upgrades Empower to LIMS Interface

Labtronics Inc. has announced that the upcoming new release of LimsLink CDS will include an update to their seamless, embedded LIMS interface that allows analysts to interact directly with their LIMS, from inside their Empower client. The new release extends the functionality of the Empower interface to further reduce the amount of time and resources that laboratories spend on setting up Sample Set Methods. Enhancements have also been introduced to simplify sharing of LimsLink CDS interfacing methods across multiple Empower Projects. As a result, laboratories will be able to minimize the number of LimsLink CDS interfacing methods they use and therefore reduce validation and support requirements. The upgraded LimsLinkCDS embedded interface for Empower is part of the upcoming LimsLink CDS release that also includes a new embedded interface for Chromeleon and Labtronics' embedded interfaces for ChemStation and TotalChrom. For details, visit http://www.labtronics.com/llcds.htm.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Appoints Puerto Rico Partner Quality Instruments Solutions (QIS) to Support Informatics Sales

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has established a new partnership with Puerto Rico-based distributor QIS to extend its informatics offerings in the Caribbean. The new distribution agreement allows QIS to support sales
activities in Puerto Rico and the wider Caribbean for the complete Thermo Scientific informatics product range, focusing on LIMS and Chromatography Data Systems (CDS). Dedicated sales experts will target a number of industries which are strong in Puerto Rico, and which Thermo Fisher has long served, including the pharmaceutical, petrochemical and chemical markets. Puerto Rico is host of one of the largest concentration of pharmaceutical manufacturers in the world, and QIS is strategically placed to provide locally-based companies with the full range of Thermo Scientific informatics solutions. QIS already successfully supplies and supports Thermo Scientific instruments in Puerto Rico, and aims to strengthen the company's informatics offering in Puerto Rico through this new partnership. Customers will now have access to Thermo Fisher's full informatics portfolio including Darwin LIMS, Atlas CDS, SampleManager and GRAMS. For details, visit http://www.thermo.com/informatics.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Extends Informatics Offering into Venezuela and the Caribbean
Signs Agreement with Controval

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has signed an agreement with Caracas-based Controval, C.A. to operate an authorized sales center for Thermo Scientific informatics solutions in Venezuela and the Caribbean. Under the terms of the partnership, Controval will be providing professional sales services to local customers in a number of industries, which Thermo Fisher has long served, including Pdvsa Oil and Gas and Pdvsa Refinery, Intevep Pdvsa, Pequiven, Cvg Fmo; Sidor; Venalum and Biotech. Controval will be promoting the complete range of Thermo Scientific informatics solutions including LIMS, Chromatography Data Systems (CDS), pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic and spectroscopy software and spectral libraries. The collaboration will be extended at a later date to supplement the sales activities by offering after-sales support and technical consultation services. Oliver Faidi Cortés, director of Latin America and Caribbean sales for informatics at Thermo Fisher Scientific, explains: “This new partnership underscores our commitment to our customers based in Latin America and the Caribbean. Controval serves the Venezuelan market providing them with integral solutions in instrumentation and industrial automation. The company holds a deep knowledge of the requirements of the industry with regards to new technology. Furthermore, Controval has an established sales organization consisting of seven sites spread throughout Venezuela and has been a long-term distributor of Thermo Scientific process instruments. This pedigree makes Controval an ideal partner capable of extending our presence to this vital region.” Miguel Ángel Benítez, general manager at Controval, adds: “Our business philosophy is to offer the best technological products and the most sophisticated services in order to help our customers achieve the highest levels of excellence in their industrial processes. Thermo Fisher Scientific shares the same vision, thus we are confident that this collaboration will be utterly successful.” For details, visit http://www.thermo.com/informatics.

Ethosoft Provides More Web-Browser Based Features with the Release of X-LIMS Version 2.2

In keeping with its goal of providing class leading features using current web-browser and XML technologies, Ethosoft has released the Xchange Suite in version 2.2 of their X-LIMS. Xchange contains the instrumentXchange and documentXchange utilities. Within instrumentXchange, laboratories may integrate their own instrumentation routines without custom development right through the browser. The documentXchange component has also been included with this release. It provides a browser based control panel which provides an easy to use and flexible interface allowing laboratories to manage their reference/controlled documents within the LIMS and the users the ability to access these centrally stored reference documents right from their web-browser. For details, visit http://www.ethosoft.com.

SAWLA Implements Bika Interlab 1.2 Proficiency Testing Software

The web based inter-laboratory proficiency testing system designed and sponsored by the South African Wine Laboratory Association (SAWLA) and developed locally in open source technologies by Bika Lab Systems, went into production February 2007 and proved very successful, eliminating the three week turn around experienced with the spread sheet based system it replaced Effective proficiency testing is one of the tools employed by SAWLA towards its goal to improve the quality of wine laboratories in SA, standardise methodology and provide a forum for communication and access to information. The proficiency testing scheme (PTS) runs on a monthly basis, two different wine samples per month. The scheme co-ordinator validates bulk samples as homogeneous in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, bottles and distributes the samples. Member labs then have a week to analyse the samples, on 15 different parameters, and submit their results on-line. In the on-line system it works like this: The PTS co-ordinator prepares the samples and creates a testing round on-line at the SAWLA web portal. The system automatically informs members per e-mail and provides relevant information about the sample type, distribution and closing date. Member labs fetch their samples, analyse them and enter their results on-line. A senior analyst or manager verifies the data. After their results were verified, and enough verified results are available to make statistical sense, members may immediately see their comparative stats and performance indicators. They are warned though that these remain dynamic as more labs submit their data. When the testing round closes, members receive their final performances per e-mail. Analysis results are archived and presented to members graphically via distribution curves, method comparisons and chronological Z-value plots. The system delivers immediate turnaround. Since the SAWLA system is built on a Content Management System (CMS) platform, it offers benefits in a dynamic interactive web portal at www.sawla.org. The SAWLA portal currently offers a Help centre with training videos, member list and statistics explanations . The system's CMS capabilities will now be exploited to the fullest in SAWLA's drive to have the system certified ISO compliant. It will serve as document repository for SAWLA's quality control manual, year plan, complaints register, corrective and preventative action forms and register, internal audits, management reviews and skills development packages. For details, visit http://www.bikalabs.com.

VelQuest Partners with Autoscribe Ltd and Zumatrix to Provide a LIMS Stability Study Module for Pharmaceutical Quality Operations

VelQuest Corporation, the developer of the SmartLab GMP Electronic Notebook System, and Autoscribe Ltd., a LIMS provider, have announced an integration partnership to support a major multi-site pharmaceutical company. The company is implementing the VelQuest SmartLab GMP Electronic Notebook System for QC/QA cGMP laboratory execution, instrument integration and data capture with integration directly to SAP. To comprehensively design protocols and manage stability data, VelQuest and the client’s choice is the Matrix Stability System, developed by Autoscribe, Ltd. and supplied in the USA by Zumatrix, Inc. This close partnership provides a seamless protocol driven integration with the following key capabilities: Protocol Management; Study Maintenance Management; Batch Maintenance Management; Location Management; Inventory Management; Reports; Statistical Analysis; and, Lab Procedure Execution. "The Matrix Stability System was designed in cooperation with several pharmaceutical companies and our US Distributor, Zumatrix, Inc.”, says John Boother, Managing Director of Autoscribe. “At our joint client’s multi-site quality organization, VelQuest’s SmartLab platform and the Matrix Stability System combine “best-of-breed” method execution, data capture and stability protocol design and data management for cGMP operations”. "A major goal in many companies is to eliminate the routine, non-value added and error-prone tasks through automation”, said Ken Rapp, President and CEO of VelQuest. “A key issue in the pharmaceutical industry is that a significant amount of people are dedicated to regulatory compliance functions that use costly paper-based processes. The SmartLab software has been deployed in cGMP facilities worldwide. Users have reported their ability to eliminate the paper-based data capture and documentation processes creating annual operational benefits yielding millions of dollars in efficiency gains. The integration of the Matrix Stability Study System with SmartLab provides a comprehensive protocol design, method execution, automated data capture and compliant documentation management capability for this critical process in cGMP quality operations”. For details, visit http://www.autoscribe.co.uk.

Compendia Bioscience Signs Oncomine Licensing Agreement with AstraZeneca

Compendia Bioscience, Inc. has announced that it has licensed Oncomine - the company’s compendium of oncology gene expression profiles and analysis tools - to AstraZeneca, which will conduct a yearlong pilot to evaluate the long-term role of this product in its cancer research programs. This licensing agreement gives AstraZeneca access to Oncomine Concepts Edition (OCM), a value-added product extension of Oncomine that combines nearly 7,000 proprietary cancer gene signatures with 11,000 gene, protein, drug, and pathway signatures collected from the literature and other public sources. The Concepts Map application uses gene sets as a common language to compare and link disparate biological concepts, allowing researchers to discover and explore new biology based on signatures related to drugs and/or disease pathways. A recent study published in Nature Genetics (2007 Jan; 39(1): 41-51) used Oncomine Concepts Map to analyze prostate cancer gene expression in the context of the other gene signatures available in OCM. The result was an important new model describing the progression of prostate cancer. Oncomine Concepts Map is licensed to commercial users as part of the Oncomine Concepts Edition and the Oncomine Enterprise Edition. For details, visit http://www.compendiabio.com.

D-Tools System Integrator Named as Gold Winner in 2007 CE Pro High Impact Products Awards

D-Tools, Inc., a leader in system integration software, has announced that D-Tools System Integrator 5 software has been named a 2007 CE Pro Impact Products Awards Gold Winner. The annual “Best of” contest rates home-technology products based on feedback from the professionals who sell, specify and install the goods. CE Pro, a publication for the custom electronics industry, invited its 35,000 readers to suggest products that helped them win more customers, save time on the jobsite or otherwise make more money in 2007. The editors of CE Pro magazine polled thousands of its readers who indicated their favorite time-saving, money-making, customer-pleasing, high-impact products of the year. D-Tools’ SI5 was selected among dealers/installers as a Gold Level High Impact Product of 2007. D-Tools’ System Integrator (SI) is a total design solution that utilizes Autodesk AutoCAD and Microsoft Visio for comprehensive system design, documentation and project management. D-Tools SI allows commercial integrators to streamline their business processes to increase overall revenues while reducing the time and costs associated with the installation and integration of low-voltage systems. For details, visit http://www.d-tools.com.

ACD/Labs Releases PhysChem Version 11.0

Advanced Chemistry Development, Inc. (ACD/Labs) has released the latest version of ACD/Labs PhysChem software. Version 11 provides updated molecular property predictions for a broader variety of chemical classes through enhanced models; and offers a new customizable interface for instant interactive review of results. Version 11 includes a new logP prediction model based on experimental data from more than 25,000 compounds. Substantial increase of the internal database (the training set) from version 10, with experimental data, has expanded and diversified chemical space coverage, particularly for compounds of pharmaceutical interest. Enhancements to ACD/pKa DB come from the addition of over 2,500 new compounds and experimental data into the training database, resulting in increased chemical space coverage and greater prediction accuracy. Since the PhysChem product line is heavily integrated, improvements to the logP and pKa models augment the prediction quality of ACD/Labs entire range of predictive software products. For details, visit http://www.acdlabs.com/physchemlab.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches MetWorks 1.1.0 Metabolite Identification Software

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has launched MetWorks 1.1.0, an updated version of its proven metabolite identification software. Thermo Scientific Metworks 1.1.0 software facilitates automated acquisition, processing and reporting of LC/MS data in support of biotransformation studies. MetWorks software is compatible with all Thermo Scientific mass spectrometers capable of performing MS/MS and MSn fragmentation. In addition, MetWorks allows high resolution accurate mass data from the Thermo Scientific LTQ Orbitrap and LTQ FT instruments to be fully leveraged. MetWorks 1.1.0 software features enhanced tools that facilitate distinguishing xenobiotic components from endogenous biological matrix interferences in LC/MSn chromatograms and spectra. Key improvements to the software include: Automatic generation of a Data-Dependent Parent Mass Table (DDPT); Component filtering to exclude duplicates originating from adducts and isotopic contributions; and, Flexibility to apply up to six multiple mass defect filters (MMDF’s). Integration of Mass Frontier predictive fragmentation software within the MetWorks 1.1.0 workflow process has greatly improved the assessment for automated metabolite identification studies. Mass Frontier predictive fragmentation tools significantly decrease the time researchers require to confidently identify and generate lists of drug metabolites. MetWorks 1.1.0 collates and converts this information, including calculated elemental formulae, chemical structures and chromatograms into easy-to-read reports. In addition, the software supports storage of user-generated mass spectral libraries. For details, visit http://www.thermo.com/metabolism.

Xendo Drug Development Licenses LabVantage's Sapphire to Improve Laboratory Data Flow In Its Bioanalysis and Drug Metabolism Unit

LabVantage has announced that its Sapphire LIMS has been licensed by Xendo, a leading, independent consultancy, contract research and project management organization in the life sciences, pharmaceutical and
healthcare fields. Based in the Netherlands and providing services in Holland, Sweden and Denmark, Xendo's goal is to enhance the quality and safety of medicine and help shorten the time to market for drugs and medical devices that improve quality of life. The Bioanalysis and Drug Metabolism (BDM) business unit's primary responsibility is the analysis of preclinical and clinical samples. The unit's existing processes rely heavily on manual interaction throughout the sample lifecycle. In order to increase speed and enhance quality, Xendo required a solution to minimize the number of manual data processing steps. They also needed to increase the speed and reliability of reporting data as well as the traceability of the process parameters. "The Sapphire solution met all of our needs and more. In addition to automating and expediting the analysis process, we needed a solution that also delivered functionality to integrate our laboratory instrumentation into our testing regime," explained Jaap Wieling, Managing Director of Xendo. "The Sapphire next generation technology platform with its thin client accessibility, built-in workflow configurability and ease of interoperability with third party instruments were the deciding factors in our selection of Sapphire." For details, visit http://www.xendo.com or http://www.labvantage.com.

PerkinElmer Announces Localized Language ICP WinLab32 Software

PerkinElmer has announced the availability of its WinLab32 software with a complete Japanese and Simplified Chinese user interface to offer convenience and support for PerkinElmer’s user base in China and Japan. The software is compatible with the Optima line of Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) systems. WinLab32 requires the Windows XP Service Pack 2 to give customers all the tools needed to analyze samples, report and archive data, and ensure regulatory compliance. The new releases of WinLab32 provide support for: Ethernet connectivity on the Optima 5x00 series ICP; Integration of the new PerkinElmer S10 Autosampler; The latest generation of computer hardware; and, Improved software usability. For details, visit
http://las.perkinelmer.com/Catalog/default.htm?CategoryID=ICP+Optical+Emission+%5bICP-OES%5d.

GenoLogics Announces Partnership with London Genetics

GenoLogics, a leading developer of lab and data management software solutions for life sciences research, has announced it will work closely with London Genetics Ltd., a commercial company whose purpose is to facilitate and manage partnerships between the health care industry and centers of biomedical excellence in London, to identify opportunities for collaboration. GenoLogics will help promote London Genetics’ efforts in building an extensive research network of scientists and clinicians through joint workshops and scientific forums. As London Genetics builds different combinations of discrete biological, experimental and bioinformatics expertise and resources across London, GenoLogics will, where appropriate, provide advice and expertise to ensure that a suitable lab informatics infrastructure is in place to manage these complex networks. GenoLogics and London Genetics will also work together to identify collaborative projects and grant funding opportunities. Through its partners, London Genetics can provide access to a wide range of offerings including, well-defined clinical and population cohorts, tissue banks, ‘omics’ software and technologies as well as access to key opinion leaders from multiple disciplines and therapeutic areas. Through this partnership, GenoLogics will provide complementary expertise to potential London Genetics consortia in the area of informatics infrastructure. Projects will be able to take advantage of their OMIX lab informatics platform coupled with purposed proteomics (Proteus) and genomics (Geneus) modules to help provide a multi-lab and multi-science platform with a common database for all consortia partners, independent of role. This will in turn help allow each partner to rapidly interchange and share their leading edge research data reducing to a minimum data redundancy and time consuming manual transcriptions of data, while increasing the opportunities to automatically capture instrument based experimental data and perform downstream data analysis options. So that all partners are provided with data with a high level of provenance and security, which in turn will help support and secure novel discoveries. Imperial College London and St George’s, University of London, both existing GenoLogics customers, are two of the seven leading research institutions supporting London Genetics. London Genetics’ additional Partners are The Institute of Cancer Research, King’s College London, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Queen Mary, University of London and University College London. For details, visit http://www.genologics.com.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches New Informatics Customer Initiative

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has announced an internal process improvement initiative within its global laboratory informatics (LIMS) line of business. The CARES Initiative (Customer Allegiance through Responsive, Excellent Service) encompasses all phases of product development, sales and service, and demonstrates the division's commitment to exceeding customer expectations across all operational levels. This new initiative will be launched at Thermo Informatics World (TIW) North American and European user meetings that take place in Miami, Florida from October 15 through 19, 2007 and in Lisbon, Portugal from November 12 through 16, 2007. The CARES Initiative is built upon a platform of seven core principles, which demonstrate the division's commitment to customer allegiance and customer satisfaction in areas such as product performance, order fulfillment, technical support, and sales and account management. A documented Quality Management System is built into every aspect of the business and supported by all levels of the organization. Reliable and rigorous external product testing is also in place, including simulated multi-user environments and benchmarking to measure quality, performance and usability. A new eServices portal will offer LIMS and CDS customers a wide range of support, including on-line incident logging, monitoring and resolution of support enquiries, as well as access to the business Knowledge Base. Thermo Scientific LIMS and CDS customers will also benefit from a sophisticated issue resolution system, which uses patented technology to capture a log of user actions and system events to quickly determine the cause of unexpected application behavior. Around-the-clock support is offered, ensuring that customers have access to assistance wherever the business is located. As part of the CARES Initiative, the LIMS and CDS line of business is promoting continuous communication and customer feedback in order to constantly improve products and processes. The CARES Initiative also ensures commitment from the highest levels of senior management. For details, visit http://www.thermo.com/informatics.

Labtronics' Nexxis 4.0 Validation Toolkit Speeds Up the Validation Process

Labtronics Inc. has announced the release of the Nexxis Validation Toolkit to assist with the validation of Nexxis 4.0, a powerful web-based development tool and deployment platform that is at the core of all of Labtronics’ Nexxis applications (Nexxis ELN, Nexxis CAL, Nexxis CIM, Nexxis ST, Nexxis BDS). This latest release of the Nexxis Validation Toolkit speeds up the validation process for Nexxis v4.0 by providing validation groups with detailed IQ and OQ documents that significantly reduce the amount of time they spend compiling the information that they require to initiate and execute a thorough IQ/OQ validation of Nexxis 4.0. IQ documents provide a detailed listing of hardware requirements, step-by-step descriptions of software installation procedures and a listing of all required files showing the expected filename, size, and version number. OQ documents include detailed testing procedures that guide the user through verification of User Identification, Application Security, Method Execution, etc. All Nexxis 4.0 applications share a common zero-footprint web client, common security and audit trail, an instrument library and additional laboratory specific capabilities and routines that facilitate a high level of integration between all of these applications and other laboratory informatics systems. For details, visit http://www.labtronics.com/nexxis.htm.

Matrix Software Chosen by Leading Pharmaceutical Company

Zumatrix, Inc. announced that Matrix Sample Tracking software has been chosen by the Research Division of a major, multi-national pharmaceutical company. It is being implemented at sites in America, Europe and Asia to track samples and slides through the entire pre-clinical, Safety Assessment Division. Peter Mansfield, President of Zumatrix said that the initial contract is for 100 concurrent users at three sites world-wide, with a single Oracle database within the US. He said that the configurability and flexibility of Matrix software was a major factor in winning the contract and that the project from start to validation and completion would be completed in six months. At present it is right on schedule. Matrix software is developed by Autoscribe, Ltd in an ISO 9001-2000 certified process at Riseley, near Reading, Berkshire (UK). The latest releases of Matrix use the latest Microsoft .NET platform in order to deploy easily and quickly. Zumatrix, Inc provides software products and support for laboratories throughout North America and is the exclusive distributor for Autoscribe, Ltd. For details, visit http://www.zumatrix.com or http://www.autoscribe.co.uk.

Sapio Sciences Releases Copy Number Variation (CNV) Analysis Tool For Illumina Infinium Arrays

Sapio Sciences has announced Exemplar Analytics 4.0.8, the first commercial solution, outside of Illumina, to provide CNV analysis for the Illumina family of arrays. Copy number variation analysis is a powerful and widely used method for identifying insertions and deletions in the genome. The identification of these chromosomal alterations is critical in understanding cancer as well as other serious diseases. This release of Exemplar Analytics also includes the following new features: Full support of all Illumina DNA Analysis BeadChips from the Human-1 to Human1M BeadChip; Principal Component Analysis for admixture corrections; Proper Allele counting of Hemizygous SNP’s; Complete update of the annotations database with current information from dBSNP, Entrez Gene and Gene Ontology; and, Multi-Processor support for permutation corrections on statistics.
Full Support of Copy Number analysis for the Affymetrix 10K-500K, 5.0 and 6.0 arrays. "We have seen significant demand for an Illumina copy number variation analysis program from both our customers and prospects. With this release we now offer a comprehensive copy number variation solution for the researchers using either Illumina or Affymetrix arrays. We believe this valuable tool will further researchers understanding of the most serious diseases afflicting humans.” According to Kevin Cramer, CEO at Sapio, “When you combine this with our built in annotations database, 80 additional statistics in support of Genome-Wide Association Studies, Quantitative Trait Analysis and Family based studies, Exemplar Analytics is a one stop solution for researchers undertaking genetics based studies.” For details, visit http://www.sapiosciences.com.

Bruker Companies Announce the Opening of a Modern Chinese Applications, Demonstration and Customer Training Center in Beijing

During the BCEIA 2007 conference, Bruker BioSciences Corp. and the Bruker BioSpin group of companies have announced the official opening of their new Beijing modern applications, demonstration and customer training laboratory, showcasing a wide selection of novel life science and materials research, as well as industrial analysis systems. The new demonstration and training facility includes sample preparation areas and laboratory space equipped with the very latest systems from each of the Bruker companies. Clive Seymour, Bruker Daltonics Vice President for Asia-Pacific, commented: "Our new and expanded demonstration facility provides the opportunity for scientists to investigate a wide range of applications on our innovative systems, together with obtaining training, demonstrations and advice from Bruker's highly qualified and experienced Beijing team of application scientists. We will provide workshops and training courses here to ensure that our customers gain the maximum benefit from their Bruker products and solutions." The new Bruker combined Beijing Demonstration Centre is located at 11 Zhong Guan Cun, South Avenue, Beijing. For details, visit http://www.bruker.com.cn.

QATrax Releases Management Reports Solution for Test Labs

QATrax has released Management Reports v1.1, which ships October 2007. This product has been in use for several years. The new version is based on Microsoft's .NET. The reports are faster and simpler to use.
Significant enhancements to the Management Reports module provide Users with a flexible tool to access information. Users can selectively grab information and export to Excel and other formats. QATrax is evolving to easily handle Dynamic Scheduling in Active Environments. Auto-Scheduling provides a significant edge in the dynamic and complex product development world. QATrax will help minimize the disruptions and time spent in accommodating schedule changes and the downstream “ripples” they cause. With test labs spread around the globe, your goal is to manage the entire process. Our goal is to simplify the task. To provide visibility and process, TraxStar envisions a Global Test Lab Network linking labs inside the firewall while providing access to and by other constituencies; industry groups, independent test labs and customers. For details, visit http://www.traxstar.com.

PerkinElmer Introduces Series 200EP Photo Diode Array Detector

PerkinElmer has introduced a new Photo Diode Array (PDA) detector to expand the capabilities of their Series 200 HPLC offering – the Series 200EP (Enhanced Performance) PDA. The new detector provides deeper insights into results through superior linearity and best-in-class spectral integrity, allowing uncompromised quali-quantitative analysis of complex mixtures. With its wide linear dynamic range and low drift, the Series 200EP PDA detector is the ideal tool for demanding quantitative analyses like impurities in drug or environmental samples with wide variation in compound concentration. Coupled with TotalChrom Chromatography Data Systems, the Series 200EP PDA detector is fully network compatible. In addition, IRIS® Spectral Processing Software provides intuitive spectral data processing, all protected under a fully 21 CFR Part 11-compliant architecture. For details, visit http://www.perkinelmer.com/Series200EPPDA.

RTS Life Science Extends its Bench Top Instrument Range

Since its launch over the summer, RTS Life Science’s Benchtop Assistant Range of instruments has now been expanded to address a wider range of automation requirements for pressurised metered dose and dry powder
inhalation devices. The whole range now spans the entire gamut of automation levels for the testing of pMDIs and DPIs. Mark Fish, business manager for Drug Delivery Automation at RTS Life Science, commented: “Offering an entry level solution for all laboratories, RTS’s Benchtop Assistant Range enables analysts currently using manual methods to benefit from the reductions in data variance and improvements in throughput offered by automation. Our new instruments eliminate manual intervention in some of the more physically demanding aspects of the testing, such as controlled shaking of the devices. This reduces the risk of analyst exposure to repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and work related upper limb disorders (WRULD).” Joining the Benchtop Assistant systems and aimed at the those who need a higher level of automation, but are not yet ready for full automation, the new Walkaway Specialist Range automates many of the steps associated with analytical test methods. This includes waste firing; test firing and dose wash down. Semi-automated Walkaway Specialist units are suitable for method validation and standalone use in analytical development and quality control environments, and as a precursor to the deployment of RTS’ fully automated and well respected, Process Master Range. For details, visit http://www.rtslifescience.com/default.asp?id=1353&news=528.

Labtronics Announces Fully Integrated LIMS Interfacing for Chromeleon CDS

Labtronics Inc. has announced that the upcoming release of LimsLink CDS will introduce a seamless, embedded LIMS interface for Chromeleon CDS that lets analysts interact directly with their LIMS, without having to leave their CDS client. The LimsLink CDS embedded interface is easy for analysts to work with, as there is no additional software for them to learn. Training requirements are minimal so analysts quickly realize the benefits of eliminating manual interaction with LIMS. Analysts working in their Chromeleon client simply click on the new 'Create Sequence' button on the Chromeleon toolbar to automatically create complete Chromeleon sequences from LIMS worklists. This direct interface speeds up setup time and eliminates the possibility of samples being missed due to setup errors. Sample results are sent to LIMS using regular Chromeleon reporting procedures. There are no new procedures to learn, no time spent on manual data transfer and no data entry errors - results go directly into the LIMS, as soon as the report is ready. The new LimsLinkCDS embedded interface for Chromeleon is part of the upcoming LimsLink CDS release that also includes Labtronics popular embedded interfaces for Empower, ChemStation Plus and TotalChrom. For details, visit http://www.labtronics.com/llcds.htm.

Bruker BioSciences Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2007

Bruker BioSciences Corporation has reported its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007. For the third quarter of 2007, revenue increased by 25% to $131.6 million, compared to revenue of $104.9 million in the third quarter of 2006. Excluding the effects of foreign currency translation, third quarter 2007 revenue increased by 20% year-over-year. Net income in the third quarter of 2007 was $8.7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to net income of $3.0 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2006. Included in third quarter of 2007 net income was a one-time tax benefit of $2.4 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, related to the revaluation of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of a tax law change in Germany enacted in the third quarter of 2007 which will decrease the statutory German corporate income tax rate beginning in 2008. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, revenue increased by 21% to $363.8 million, compared to revenue of $300.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Excluding the effects of foreign currency translation, revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased by 16% year-over-year. Net income during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $17.5 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared to net income of $8.8 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Commenting on the third quarter, Frank Laukien, President and CEO, said: "We are pleased with our top-line performance in the third quarter, with all three operating divisions delivering double digit growth year-over-year. Moreover, we continue to improve gross profit margins and leverage our operating expenses, resulting in year-over-year improvements to our operating income margin." For details, visit http://www.bruker-biosciences.com.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Selected by China Doping Control Center to Supply Sports Doping Testing Instrumentation at the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, has announced that the China Doping Control
Center (CDCC) has selected Thermo Scientific instruments and software for its sports testing program at the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing. The CDCC has been accredited by the Chinese government and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to conduct all doping control analyses during the 2008 Olympic Games. Identifying illegal performance-enhancing substances that are used in sports competition is a growing global challenge, one made more difficult by the development of ever more sophisticated drugs that are increasingly difficult to detect. The analytical systems Thermo Fisher supplied to CDCC are ideally suited for this challenge, providing the high specificity, low limits of detection, high throughput and reliability required in today's sports testing environment. Thermo Fisher provided the CDCC with a range of high precision and performance Thermo Scientific instrumentation, including two DFS Sector Field GC/MS systems, a DELTA V isotope ratio mass spectrometer and four triple-quadrupole TSQ Quantum Access LC/MS systems. These instruments and associated software will enable the CDCC to cope with the high volume of samples expected at the 2008 Olympic Games. Thermo Fisher has also agreed to provide 24/7 technical and application assistance to the CDCC to ensure uninterrupted operation and successful, secure handing of athlete samples throughout the games. The CDCC sports doping testing program will start even before the opening of the competition, and continue from athletes' check-in at the Olympic Village until the end of the Games. All samples will be analyzed strictly in accordance with the IOC anti-doping rules for banned substances. With many thousands of samples to run and a long list of banned substances to potentially identify, the CDCC placed a high priority on acquiring automated systems that provide high accuracy, sensitivity and throughput. For details, visit http://www.thermo.com.

GenoLogics Welcomes New VP Finance and VP Products to Senior Management Team and Appoints New Chair of the Board

GenoLogics, a leading developer of lab and data management software solutions for life sciences research, has added Sal Sanci, Vice President of Products, and Paul Ford, Vice President of Finance, to the management team. Sal Sanci is a technology community veteran with over 20 years of experience. He most recently held the position of VP Technology at Teligence. Sal brings years of product & technology development, management and operational experience to GenoLogics. He will be a critical member of the team in 2008 as the Company aims to launch two new products, and he will also ensure the successful adoption of its newest product Geneus. Sal oversees the software development, QA and product management teams. Unifying these teams will ensure smooth communications and seamless product delivery to the market. Sal brings VP-level experience from Teligence, Pivotal Corporation, DocsFulcrum and Meridian Technologies to GenoLogics. Paul Ford joins GenoLogics from private equity firm PineRidge Partners in Tokyo, where he most recently held the position of Executive Director. Paul is a University of Victoria, Commerce graduate and holds a CA designation. At PineRidge, Paul was responsible for structuring, financing, and negotiating acquisitions in the resorts, digital media and industrial sectors, as well as managing portfolio companies. Prior to PineRidge Partners, he was employed by KPMG for 12 years and was responsible for M&A advisory services, audit and assurance projects. Paul brings strong business acumen to GenoLogics and experience in financial matters from many regions including London, San Francisco, Hong Kong and Tokyo. In addition to the two new executives on the GenoLogics team, the Company is proud to announce the appointment of Don Listwin, as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Don is also a technology industry veteran, formerly the number two executive at Cisco Systems, and has been a member of GenoLogics’ Board since early 2006. In addition to recently being appointed Chairman of the GenoLogics Board, Don is also the Chair of the Board of Canary Foundation and Sana Security. In 2004, Don Listwin founded Canary Foundation, the only non-profit organization in the United States entirely dedicated to the early detection of cancer. Today the Canary Foundation is investing in research to catalyze the development of a biomarker discovery platform for early detection of cancer. Don’s experience overseeing technology companies at the board level and his previous experience on the GenoLogics Board will serve him well as he takes on the lead position. For details, visit http://www.genologics.com.

Savi Technology Taps Solar Energy to Power RFID-Based Asset Tracking Systems

Savi Technology has recently begun deploying solar-powered Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and signposts, enabling customers in the defense and commercial sectors to conserve energy and reduce costs while tracking supplies in real-time. Solar energy provides an energy efficient and environmentally friendly power source for users’ RFID hardware, and also eliminates the need to install electrical infrastructure in remote areas where there is no fixed reader infrastructure. Savi engineers mounted solar panels and RFID signposts on poles located at a major U.S. Army supply facility in Kuwait. The solar-powered signposts activate RFID tags attached to vehicles or pieces of equipment. The tags then report the assets’ positions to nearby RFID readers, which relay the information to Savi Site Manager software that automatically updates the assets’ latest location. These tools enable the facility to track more than 25,000 tags per day. "We continue to have challenges with providing adequate power for the installation of RFID sites in austere locations,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Burden, U.S. Army Product Management Office of Joint Automatic Identification Technology (PM J-AIT). “We are always looking for innovative ways to address these critical issues to support Warfighter needs.” PM J-AIT serves as a single point of contact for acquisition support and technical expertise for Joint Services, Federal agencies, NATO, and multi-national forces. Plans are underway with the U.S. Department of Defense to expand the use of solar-powered applications to other areas in the Middle East and beyond. On the commercial side, Savi Networks operates an RFID-based network in Colombia that also leverages solar energy to power Savi RFID signposts and readers that track the status and security of containerized cargo shipments managed by Emprevi Ltda., a Colombia-based provider of logistics and security services for major importers and exporters. Savi Networks, a joint venture in which Savi Technology holds a majority interest, installed solar-powered panels at strategic supply chain checkpoints, including source factories and port facilities, to monitor in-transit goods manufactured in and exported from Colombia. "Solar energy powers some of the more remote sections of Emprevi’s RFID network that would otherwise lack a constant, dependable power source,” said Mauricio Barberan Canas, President of Emprevi. “While taking advantage of a clean, renewable energy source, the system also leverages highly advanced information and security technologies that greatly improve Emprevi’s supply chain security, visibility, and management.” For details, visit http://www.savi.com.

Labtronics Reintroduces Collect Licensing Plan

Labtronics has announced the re-introduction of their 'per installation' license for Collect - a leading software solution for RS232 instrument data collection. Under the new licensing plan a single copy of Collect licensed for installation on a single PC, can concurrently collect data from multiple RS232 instruments (maximum 99), for only $495. "Collect has always provided an extremely fast return on investment by eliminating manual data entry and transcription errors, says Mike DeWitte, Vice President of Labtronics’ Device Integration Group. The 'per installation' license structure delivers maximum value to Collect users by allowing them to connect multiple instruments to a single copy of Collect, on a single PC." Along with the revision to the Collect licensing, Labtronics also announced that the U.S. / Canadian list prices for Collect will be harmonized at $495, reflecting the current status of the Canadian dollar. For details, visit http://www.labtronics.com/col.htm.

What's New: November to December 2007 The following is a wrap-up of news of interest during the months of November to December 2007

What's New: November to December 2007
The following is a wrap-up of news of interest during the months of November to December 2007