Thermo Electron has introduced SampleManager LIMS 9.0, an updated version of its flagship laboratory information management system (LIMS) for global enterprises. SampleManager 9.0 is built on the Microsoft.NET platform, incorporates a Service Oriented Architecture, features an all-new, thoroughly modern user interface and introduces enhanced functionality.
In addition to the changes made to 9.0, Thermo will also build industry- and application-specific functionality into SampleManager’s core to reduce customisation for industrial labs. Purpose-built functionality and workflows will be offered as standard to increase efficiencies and productivity in industries long-served by SampleManager – petrochemical, chemical, and mining, among others. This commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) approach significantly reduces the risks and costs associated with customised implementations, maintenance and upgrades, and, for regulated industries, the cost of validating the system.
SampleManager was re-engineered to adopt .NET, a high-performance framework with great desktop integration, enabling users to easily extend the core system using industry-standard tools.
Because the client is based on .NET, SampleManager will support Microsoft’s open, industry-standard development tools. This allows Thermo to continue to support its single-use technology, VGL, thus preserving the custom code written for SampleManager’s extensive installed base. Customers may choose to extend their systems using .NET and/or VGL. The .NET platform expands the pool of available developers compared to a proprietary language, contributing to a lower total cost of ownership.
The use of a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) – the latest in the evolution of distributed computing – improves the way complex software, such as enterprise LIMS, is built. Code and services can be re-used and services can be implemented on a case-by-case basis. Major software vendors, including Microsoft, support SOA, which is governed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
