Collect XL Automates Weighing Application for a Major Pharmaceutical Company

A major Pharmaceutical / Life Science company selects and implements the Collect XL software over its competition to connect a number of balances and scales. Investigation of various solutions and implementation of the Collect XL software was completed in less than a few weeks.

The application solution consisted of combining Collect XL's standard RS232 interfacing features with two simple embedded operation macros within Collect XL's Instrument Manager interface setup. An ExcelR workbook template was also created by Labtronics to open and run from the Collect XL Method list, but with all ExcelR menu options removed and worksheets completely locked out from editing.

At run-time, a Collect XL operation macro receives the weight reading from a balance and adds the date and time stamp, operating system User ID, balance name and model number, which is then displayed to the analyst in un-editable fields within a form created by that Collect XL macro. This form was created to allow the user to enter or scan in a sample ID and add comments, but not allow for any modifications of instrument readings or other data added by the interface. Selecting the 'OK' button in the macro form writes the weight reading and associated meta-data directly to the secure, ExcelR workbook defined for this interface Method.

Once all of the sample's weight readings have been taken, the analyst can then execute the 'Print-to-PDF' macro from Collect XL's floating control menu, which prints the completed ExcelR workbook directly to a .PDF file using a virtual .pdf printer driver to be stored automatically in the record management and archive system.

"The Collect XL software, working in tandem with ExcelR, provided an eloquent, cost-effective and flexible solution that allowed our customer to move away from paper print-outs and scanning, while still meeting the regulatory requirements they required for automating these weighing applications," states Mike DeWitte, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Device Integration Group at Labtronics. "During the customer's free 30-day trial period, we worked closely with them to determine their needs and present an effective, working solution well below budget and ahead of schedule."

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