To address specific customer requirements such as
networking in a 32-bit environment and mass storage of data, a computer
may be used with DU Series 600 systems. The 32-bit DU WinConnection
Suite from Beckman Coulter contains programs that guarantee flawless
connection to a PC running Microsoft Windows* 95, 98 or NT*. Up to four
spectrophotometers are supported using an one lab computer. That's what
we call PC-Enhanced.
For some investigators, "state-of-the-art" design and performance
seem to be linked to the utilization of a computer and Microsoft
Windows. Let's examine what a computer and software can do for the user.
| Issue |
PC-Controlled |
PC-Enhanced
with DU WinConnection Suite |
| 32-bit Environment |
Not all vendors |
Yes |
| Printer Selection |
Available Windows printer drivers |
Available Windows printer drivers |
| Networking |
Any Network Card |
Any Network Card |
| Data Storage on Hard Disk or Network Drive |
Yes,
without user intervention |
Yes,
without user intervention |
| Computer Failure, Lockup, or Network
Error |
Current run will not be completed; data
is lost |
Current run will continue
unaffected; data is available on the spectrophotometer and may be
transferred to the network at a later time |
| Spectrophotometers supported by one PC |
Depends on vendor software; often only one
spectrophotometer |
Up to four spectrophotometers;
may utilize existing lab computer |
| PC location |
Right next to the spectrophotometer |
Any convenient location up to
30 feet away |
| Multiple use of the PC |
PC cannot be used by another person
while someone else is operating the spectrophotometer |
One person can operate the
spectrophotometer while another can freely use the PC - data are
transferred to the network drive in the background |
| Applications Software Availability |
Some vendors sell third-party
applications software to save development costs; off-line analysis
might be required |
Widest range of applications
software; completely integrated and on-line analyses without
exceptions |
| Utilization of commercial third-party
software |
Depends on available data formats; some
vendors provide only ASCII format which can be a hassle when
importing data into spreadsheets. |
ASCII as well as
native Excel and Lotus 1-2-3 formats are created on-the-fly, if
selected |
| GLP/GMP compliance |
Depends on vendor; some save original
data in ASCII format - data can be easily altered by accident or on
purpose. |
Original data are always saved
in binary format with date/time stamp - impossible to alter data;
other formats are created from the original files |
| System Validation |
Raw data are created by the
spectrophotometer and results by the PC; two systems must be
validated; PC replacement requires new validation |
Raw data and final results are
created by a single integrated system; Data Capture is just
transferring final files to the hard disk or network drive |
| Review and managing of data |
Depends on vendor |
File Utility can be installed
on multiple user computers - no site license required; original
binary files can be viewed, printed and converted without effort
|
* All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Where applicable,
the PCR process is covered by patents owned by Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.,
and F. Hoffmann-LaRoche, Ltd.
Many
spectrophotometers require a dedicated computer for control, data
acquisition and reduction. DUŽ Series Spectrophotometers are
integrated systems and are fully functional without an external
computer. A much wider array of powerful applications software is
available for these self-contained systems. Hardware options such as the
external storage device allow the off-line transfer of data to
individual PC's.