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AbstractA Swiss SME has developed a web-based platform to support secure monitoring and management of laboratory devices. Instrument manufacturers can use the system to improve the service and support operations by connecting their products and customers to their experts. It is modular, highly configurable and can be customised to individual needs. The company is looking for industrial partners to license the system and for cooperation with companies to develop new applications, e.g. process automation.DetailsTodays automated laboratories challenge the users, supporters, instrument manufacturers and solution providers:• Heterogeneous and constantly changing environment • High quality requirements Furthermore it is often not an obvious task to instantly localise the source of a malfunction in the system in order to act preventively and quickly before bigger damage occurs. For this purpose the Swiss company developed a platform which enables secure monitoring and management of laboratory devices. The platform suits the individual requirements of different target groups such as device manufacturers and automated laboratories. As the platform is web-based it is accessible to all actors for operation. The platform consists of a centralised database and a set of applications for both capturing and retrieval of information as well as for communications. A web-based application provides the functionality to visualise the device information and status and to generate up to date statistical reports. The information is hierarchically organised and intuitively presented, thus being user friendly. The platform improves service and support operations by improving the response time and reducing emergency service calls, product downtimes and on-site service as well as travelling costs. For automated laboratories the system provides a complete error and warning message control system that incorporates all devices from different manufacturers. One of its major technical advantages is the high security combined with the ease of installation, use and maintenance of the system. For laboratories, the platform can be installed as intranet or internet solution. The provider of the internet solution can use dedicated or shared servers for individual laboratories. Manufacturers of laboratory devices can implement a device management system to remotely monitor, support and manage their devices that are installed in different laboratories around the globe. It improves the service and support operations by connecting their products and customers to their experts. Furthermore they can offer their secure internet solution to their customers and gain competitive advantage. There is only an internet connection required; there will be no changes to the customer network and security infrastructure. The customers will have no burden in installing and using this secure system. For manufacturers, the platform will be individualised. The platform also supports for monitoring and controlling critical process parameters. The flexible embedded rule based engine allows defining actions to be taken when certain conditions are detected. As an example, automatic alerts including instructions may be issued when a malfunction is detected or a critical parameter gets out of the normal range. The platform offers an all in one solution that combines, integrates, controls and monitors all systems and devices from one central or several locations worldwide. Innovative Aspects: All in one solution: • Easy to install, use and maintain: You only need an internet (or intranet) connection to use the system. There are no changes to the customer network and security infrastructure. There is no burden for the customers to use this secure platform. • Easy to use: intuitively arranged and well presented. • Fully secure: secure communication at transport and message level (encrypted content), authorised access, can use a dedicated system for each customer or be dedicated to customer's intranet. • Highly configurable: both the capturing modules and the centralised application are fully configurable along with support for rule based process management. • Customised: individualised to different specifications.
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