Autoscribe Matrix LIMS

Today, laboratories are required to change their processes on a frequent basis. This is a challenge when implementing a LIMS unless the system is extremely configurable. However, there has always been a trade-off in choosing a LIMS – configurability vs. speed of implementation.

Not any more. Matrix offers fast implementation and an excellent fit for a wide range of laboratories and processes. Matrix LIMS contains a unique configuration tool that lets a non-programmer, fully design and configure any screen in the system right down to buttons, lists, graphics, security and automated reporting and email options.

Key Features

Matrix Plus is an advanced PC based LIMS developed in the UK by Autoscribe Ltd., an ISO 9001 certified company dedicated to the LIMS and data management software business.

Matrix Plus is unequalled in its configuration flexibility easy to use configuration tools including a "configuration wizard" allowing free choice of screen and menu designs, customer specific tables/modules, multiple screens for the same function (e.g. registration screens optimised for each sample category), multiple sample numbering systems and much more.

The flexibility of Matrix Plus allows its use in a wide variety of laboratories, both in size and application. There are installed systems with over 500 concurrent users and single user, single PC systems. Matrix Plus is therefore suitable for both global organisations and small individual laboratories. Matrix Plus includes extensive features to assist with the requirements of the highly regulated laboratory including audit trails, time and date stamping of all actions, version control of all reference data such as test definitions and extensivefeatures to help with 21CFR Part 11 compliance. e.g. data entry authentication and comprehensive password management capability. The system may be used with a variety of databases including Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server.

Autoscribe has an unmatched reputation for professional system implementation and support services that may be verified with existing customers included on an extensive reference list.

Matrix Plus is Simple to Use

Matrix Plus includes several unique features which simplify its operation.

The unique Workflow user interface graphically represents the progress of a sample through the laboratory. Simply click on a selected step in the workflow diagram and go straight to that LIMS function. This interface is more intuitive than conventional menus as Matrix Workflow Screen better represents the sequence of work in the laboratory. Moreover multiple workflow interfaces can be used and they can be individually configured to suit different work practices.

Please click here to view the Matrix LIMS Batch / Sample Lifecycle. Steps in the lifecycle may be easily configured to be automatic or not used. Matrix LIMS has the most outstanding feature set of any product in the LIMS industry.

A major unique design feature of Matrix LIMS was to ensure that our configuration tools can be used to configure screens and menus that can be deployed on both the client/server and web browser interfaces. Please click the appropriate hyperlink to see an example of the results of a single configuration session that created the following screens for the Matrix LIMS web browser and client/server and Citrix user interface. Note - when viewing these images, please click View|Full Screen in your web browser interface (eg Internet Explorer or Firefox).

Matrix Plus Enterprise is a system designed for the needs of multi-site, multi-national and/or global organisations.

Matrix Plus Enterprise allows users from around the world to access a common server and a common database, or their own business related database, with the performance exceeding or equal to that of a LAN based system.

Individual databases can be set up to provide local language user interfaces with mapping to local language keyboards.

Matrix Plus Enterprise is equally applicable where multiple sites are within one country or where users are spread widely across one large site.

The key benefits of Matrix Plus Enterprise are as follows:

• Central server globalisation reduces cost of hardware ownership and reduces maintenance and administration effort.
• Single installation of the system minimises roll-out effort and cost.
  Upgrades are centrally managed reducing the effort and cost of such an operation
• Provides scalability in one system - multi-users for large sites, one or few users for small sites - which provides significant economic benefits.
• User training can be performed remotely particularly after initial installation or as upgrades are installed - saves on travel costs and time.
• Each user site can have their own configuration - screen design, screen operation, menu design, terminology, access only to relevant data and so on. The system will behave as though it is their own - no compromises - but management can have an overall view of the data from all user sites. The benefit is user satisfaction.
• Simplifies system validation - can be done at one site saving effort and cost.
• System responsiveness is at least as good as a LAN client-server based system. Features such as load balancing involving multiple servers for larger users help to optimise performance.
• Variety of client hardware can be used - no need to throw away 386's, 486's, Pentium 75's, etc.
• Compatible with Mac's and handheld devices. Keeps hardware replacement costs down.
• Handheld devices can be used in remote locations using radio links - direct access to Matrix Plus Enterprise from sampling sites, customer sites, etc.
• Eliminates transcription errors, improves quality, job satisfaction and saves time.
• System resilience is ensured by using automatic switching servers - provides added level of security.
• Matrix Plus Enterprise provides a cost effective means of global, multi-site implementation of LIMS - lower cost than individual systems at each site.
• Once installed the technology can be extended to accommodate other applications such as Microsoft office products.

Matrix Express offers a low cost entry level LIMS suitable for the smaller laboratory or single department within a larger organisation.

Matrix Express provides all the key functions expected of a LIMS including sample/ work registration, worklist creation, result entry, result validation, sample approval and reporting. In addition, sample/test status may be monitored. Data tables for sample submitters, products/substances tests and system users are provided. These all feature version control capability.

Matrix Express has such comprehensive functionality that it can be used to evaluate the usefulness of LIMS before a larger investment is made. It can also be used as a practical means of creating a LIMS requirement document.

Matrix Express may be upgraded to a single user version of Matrix Plus and then further upgraded to a multi-user network system. Matrix Plus offers complete configurability of screens and menus and hence appearance of the system.
 

Matrix LIMS Version 5 is a true “n-tier” application, which means that it can be deployed across your network in many different ways.  It is divided into four layers- a workflow layer, a business logic layer, a database access layer and a powerful ASP.NET application that provides the exact same forms for use via a browser as those of the standard Windows client – at the same time, on the same system!

Unlike several of our LIMS competitors, Autoscribe decided some time ago to adopt the Microsoft .NET framework for their new products rather than using JAVA.  We believe that this is the better choice for several reasons:

1. Provides for high degree of integration with the operating system

2. Takes full advantage of Windows and its development environment, producing more concise, bug-free programs in shorter time

3. In any fight between Sun Microsystems and Microsoft, whose side would you be on?

What is Microsoft's .NET technology? Click here for an overview from Microsoft.

Click here for Microsoft .NET FAQs.

Latest Microsoft .NET Survey

Microsoft's C# beat Java as the preferred programming language in a recent developer survey conducted by Computerworld, MARCH 28, 2005.

The highest number of respondents selected .Net as their organization's preferred framework/API.... Please click here to view the survey.