What's New - November to December 1998

LIMS '99 Web Site Launch

The LIMS Institute has announced the launch of the interactive web site that provides information on the 1999 International LIMS Conference, LIMS '99, to be held in Basel, Switzerland from June 23-25, 1999. Located at http://www.limsconf.com, the site will be constantly updated with program developments, background information on speakers, abstracts of papers, and new releases regarding the conference. Visitors can also use the site to submit abstracts, send feedback to the organizing committee, as well as sign up to a free notification service for site updates.

Gerstel, Inc. Offers Free Primer on GC Sample Introduction Techniques

Gerstel, Inc. has published a new edition of their primer entitled Sample Introduction Techniques for Capillary Gas Chromatography that helps readers quickly learn to apply the advances in gas chromatography brought about by the availability of precision programmed inlet systems. The 60-page illustrated primer describes the four injection techniques for liquid sample analysis: split, splitless, on-column and programmed temperature vaporizing injection. The principles, theory, advantages and disadvantages of each of these techniques is discussed. The Primer is aimed at GC novices who wish to quickly familiarize themselves with conventional injection techniques, and at both novices and experienced chromatographers who want to explore the use of current precision PTV technology. Copies in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file format can be downloaded from http://www.gerstelus.com.

Orbis Information Systems Launched in Dublin, Ireland

On November 9, 1998, Orbis Information Systems was officially launched in Dublin, Ireland, by Martin Cullen, Minister of State at the Office of Public Works. Orbis Information Systems is a software services company specializing in information management in the process and laboratory information markets. They plan to implement and integrate software into plant and process manufacturing sites in the petrochemical, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as pulp and paper, mining, and continuous and batch manufacture. For details, contact Orbis at +353 (1) 211-2320 or visit their web site at http://www.orb-is.com

Orbis Information Systems Launches Laboratory Integration Software

New Dublin-based Orbis Information Systems has announced the launch of a new software solution that offers real-time data interchange between laboratories and process. Called SM-IP21, the software helps large manufacturing organizations integrate data between software. It is designed to bridge the gap between LIMS and PIMS (Process Information Management Systems). It is a standardized solution that links SampleManager from LabSystems and Infoplus 21 from Aspen Technology. For details, contact Orbis at +353 (1) 211-2320 or visit their web site at http://www.orb-is.com

PE Nelson Becomes PE Informatics

PE Nelson and Molecular Informatics have joined to form PE Informatics, which is the Center of Excellence (COE) for software development. PE Informatics creates software solutions for the scientific market, and is a part of the Perkin-Elmer Corporation based in Norwalk, CT. For details, contact PE Nelson at (888) PE-CHROM or (203) 762-1000.

New TurboSEC Software from PE Informatics

PE Nelson has announced the release of TurboSEC software, an application for generating molecular weight distribution analysis reports from Turbochrom workstation and Turbochrom Client/Server chromatography data systems. The TurboSEC application runs either as a user program from within Turbochrom software to facilitate automated results processing and reporting, or as a standalone post-analysis program for individual data file analysis. Reports and plots may be customized by the user and displayed in a Print Preview window prior to hard copy printout. For details, contact PE Nelson at (888) PE-CHROM or (203) 762-1000.

PE Informatics Supports Oracle8i

PE Informatics has announced support for the Oracle8i object relational database -- the industry's first database for Internet computing. PE Informatics is incorporating the Oracle8i database in the next release of SQL*LIMS v4 software. SQL*LIMS software has been running exclusively on Oracle since 1986. Oracle8i simplifies the development, deployment, and content management for Internet-based applications. The combination of the Oracle8i database and the SQL*LIMS software will enable users to better manage heterogeneous laboratory data and to more easily distribute the data for analysis and decision-making using the corporate Intranet and the Internet. For details, contact PE Nelson at (888) PE-CHROM or (203) 762-1000.

New Version of Matrix Plus LIMS Released

The latest release of Matrix Plus LIMS now offers next-generation LIMS configurability. The latest release provides a screen painter that allows screen buttons, fields, text labels, and behind-the-screen logic to be created, modified, and extended using intuitive point and click, drag and drop techniques. For details, contact Autoscribe at +44 (0) 118 932 6196.

Autoscribe Announces Instrument Calibration and Maintenance Module

Autoscribe, Ltd. recently announced a flexible instrument calibration and maintenance module for its Matrix Plus family of LIMS products. The module offers comprehensive scheduling of calibration and maintenance activities for laboratory instrumentation to aid compliance with Good Laboratory/Manufacturing Proactice (GLP/GMP) and other quality standards. Features include database management of instrument details, automatic scheduling of calibration and maintenance, recording of results and observations, and referencing of standard operating procedures. For details, contact Autoscribe at +44 (0) 118 932 6196.

PEMEX Gas Selects LabSystems for Laboratory Automation

PEMEX Gas, a member of the Mexican Oils Group, recently awarded the contract for a plant information control system to Aspen Technology, Inc. for installation in their new processor complex in Tabasco State in Mexico. As part of the project, the LabSystems SampleManager LIMS was specified for use in all the laboratories on the complex. SampleManager will be installed to run on the Hewlett Packard HP9000 platform and Oracle database. PEMEX is the largest company in Mexico and undertakes the exploration of hydrocarbons as well as production, storage, distribution, and sales of oil, natural gas, and petrochemical products. For details, contact LabSystems at http://www.labsystems.com

Compugen and Parke-Davis Sign Bioinformatics Collaboration

Compugen Ltd has announced their entry into an agreement with Parke-Davis, a division of Warner-Lambert company, whereby Parke-Davis will become the first partner for Compugen's LEADS bioinformatics platform. The three-year, multi-million dollar per year agreement will provide Parke-Davis with solutions for identifying drug targets based on the analysis of EST (Expressed Sequence Tag) and genomic databases, pattern recognition in expression results from chips and proteomics, and mutation detection and qualification. Compugen's LEADS platform has been designed to enhance the ability of pharmaceutical, biotech, and other life science companies to extract useful information from genomic and protein data, thereby accelerating the discovery of new drugs and other products. For details, contact Compugen at +1 (781) 932-1155.

Gas Chromatography Business Report Available

Global Industry Analysts, Inc. has announced the release of a comprehensive report entitled "Gas Chromatogrpahy Systems - A Global Strategic Business Report." This report provides a comprehensive analysis of all the key gas chromatography markets in the world. It includes an executive summary, information on regional markets, and competitive intelligence. It is priced at $2,350. For details, contact Global Industry Analysts at 510-490-3333, or by fax at 510-490-3434, or visit their web site at http://www.globind.com

Autoscribe Announces New Full-Feature LIMS Stability Module

Autoscribe recently released a new full-feature stability module for its Matrix Plus LIMS. The add-on stability module provides comprehensive facilities for managing stability and shelf-life trials for pharmaceuticals, foods, and other consumer products, in both manufacturing and development environments. For details, contact Autoscribe at +44 (0) 118 932 6196.

LabSystems Provides Sneak Preview on Pittcon '99

LabSystems has announced that they will be focusing on new products in their booth at the Pittcon '99 conference in Orlando this coming March. On display and available for hands-on demonstrations will be their new Nautilus LIMS and ATLAS, their new Chromatorgraphy Data System (CDS). Nautilus is highlighted for the first time at Pittcon along with a new technology called Workflows which reflects and mirrors the individual working environment and practices of any laboratory. Also on show will be the next version of Labsystems' enterprise LIMS, SampleManager. Making its debut will be SampleManager's integrated solution set for AspenTech's Process Information Management System, InfoPlus 21. In addition, Labsystems will highlight instrument integration and control capabilities in both LIMS and CDS. For more information, surf their web site at http://www.labsystems.com

Accelerated Technology Laboratories Opens Reno, Nevada Office

Accelerated Technology Laboratories (ATL) is expanding their operations and has opened a new Reno, Nevada office. The new office is located in the Mill International Building, 3100 Mill Street, Suite 213C, Reno, NV 89502. Tel: 800-565-LIMS; Fax: 702-337-2770.

Hewlett Packard Announces HP ChemLMS QC Client for Windows NT Servers

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has announced that HP ChemLMS QC Client, HP's LIMS product, is now available for Windows NT servers. Customers can now choose a Windows NT or UNIX system server. The ability to use an NT server is especially attractive to customers with smaller department laboratories or whose IT departments require use of NT servers. For details, surf HP's web site at http://www.hp.com

Hewlett Packard Announces New Release of UNIX System Server and PC Client Software

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has announces a new and enhanced release of its ChemLMS UNIX system server and PC client software. These new versions include the following new features and enhancements: (1) Scheduler is now available as a standard part of the HP ChemLMS QC Client. Scheduler allows customers to set up schedules that perform routine, repeated activities, reducing the costs of system administration. (2) HP InstLink software now comes standard with HP ChemLMS QC Client. HP InstLink software links HP ChemLMS QC Client to HP chromatography data systems. (3) Finally, HP ChemLMS system administration now can be done through an Internet- or intranet-accessible user interface, eliminating the need for an X-terminal or X-terminal emulation software on the PC, thus reducing administrative costs and improving ease of use. For details, surf HP's web site at http://www.hp.com

Laboratory Robotics Interest Group Adds Discussion Mailing List

The Laboratory Robotics Interest Group (LRIG) has added a new Discussion Mailing List for laboratory and robotics professionals to discuss questions and concerns with other automation users in an interactive format. The LRIG Discussion Mailing List is for comments or questions about Laboratory Robotics or any laboratory automation related topic. To subscribe to the mailing list, send an email message to discussion@lab-robotics.org with just the word "Subscribe" (without the quotes) as the subject of the message. For details, surf their web site at http://lab-robotics.org

New Free Online Forum on Computer Validation

A free online forum on computer validation offers real-time chat and message board capabilities. Called "Computer Validation", the forum has been launched by http://www.delphi.com/validation. With the message board, viewers can see discussion topics in the left hand column, and read up to 20 messages at a time. Files can be attached just like email. Other options include real-time Chat, announcements, and custom web pages. For details, contact Rory.Budihandojo@alcanlabs.com