The document discusses the differences between web-based and web-enabled LIMS. Web-based LIMS are specifically developed to run within a web environment, with no client-side software required. All functionality, including management functions, operate through a web browser. In contrast, web-enabled LIMS are originally client-server systems that have had some functionality adapted to run in a web browser, but still require client-side software downloads and management. True web-based LIMS provide the richest user experience and functionality entirely within a web browser without client-side installations or updates.
Developing RIAs... 10 reasons to use Adobe FlexMatthias Zeller
Rich Internet Applications combine the richness of desktop applications with the reach of the Internet. This presentations covers 10 reasons why you should consider Adobe Flex for your next web application project.
This presentation was given on Oct 20th, 2010 at SMAU, in Milano. It highlights the current challenges in the Business Process Modeling and Management fields, including:
* social BPM: how to foster online social communities for collaborative real-time process improvement
* mobile BPM: how to build essential mobile BPM applications for everyday life, spanning from online flight check-in to purchase control
* data-centric BPM: how to integrate data and process modeling, by combining MDM (Master Data Management) and BPM, so as to achieve less expensive integration between BPMS and DBMS.
* BPM on the cloud: how to exploit cloud computing platforms and services for performance and cost scalability of BPM solutions
*Mobile BPM: why and when it makes sense to go mobile with BP.
Besides highlighting the needs and trends, the workshop discusses the visions of the major players and analysts in the field and proposes some approaches to the problem, with special attention to MDD (Model Driven Development) as a possible solution. To make the discussion more concrete, the MDD approach is exemplified with the WebRatio development environment.
IT organizations are faced with shrinking budgets and increased end user demand for better collaboration tools. As organizations create competitive positions centered on collective knowledge and resources of their workers to build better products and create effective solutions, they need tools to make those assets more efficient and effective. IT executives are continuously aiming to position IT as a business enabler rather than a cost center. To maintain that balance, IT executives are looking into solutions that let IT do more with less while remaining agile and continuing to innovate.
With the rapid proliferation of smartphones and tablets, the demand to deliver electronic forms to many people across multiple devices, both online and offline, has grown multifold. Now electronic Forms integrated with Workflow solution enables customers to automate forms based Workflow. The E-Forms with Workflow does have a "built-in" workflow engine and design tool that enables users to create process flows through a point and click GUI, assign forms to those processes, view, fill and route the forms to users and even monitor workflow operations with valuable reports. Electronic forms and workflow now operate in one elegant package.
In 2006, Adobe and IBM were the clear market leaders in e-forms. In the past few years, activities in the market have led to consolidation as well as transformation, as e-forms today are more aggressively integrated with content management and business process solutions to support internal data capture and Web self-service. The maturity of the technology over time and its future plans clearly indicates that it shall stay in the IT ecosystem for long.
This document outlines the finer elements of the technology, future directions and product & Vendor comparison. No interview has been taken from the organizations or its customer and is fully researched product with varied inputs available in Public Domain.
Developing RIAs... 10 reasons to use Adobe FlexMatthias Zeller
Rich Internet Applications combine the richness of desktop applications with the reach of the Internet. This presentations covers 10 reasons why you should consider Adobe Flex for your next web application project.
This presentation was given on Oct 20th, 2010 at SMAU, in Milano. It highlights the current challenges in the Business Process Modeling and Management fields, including:
* social BPM: how to foster online social communities for collaborative real-time process improvement
* mobile BPM: how to build essential mobile BPM applications for everyday life, spanning from online flight check-in to purchase control
* data-centric BPM: how to integrate data and process modeling, by combining MDM (Master Data Management) and BPM, so as to achieve less expensive integration between BPMS and DBMS.
* BPM on the cloud: how to exploit cloud computing platforms and services for performance and cost scalability of BPM solutions
*Mobile BPM: why and when it makes sense to go mobile with BP.
Besides highlighting the needs and trends, the workshop discusses the visions of the major players and analysts in the field and proposes some approaches to the problem, with special attention to MDD (Model Driven Development) as a possible solution. To make the discussion more concrete, the MDD approach is exemplified with the WebRatio development environment.
IT organizations are faced with shrinking budgets and increased end user demand for better collaboration tools. As organizations create competitive positions centered on collective knowledge and resources of their workers to build better products and create effective solutions, they need tools to make those assets more efficient and effective. IT executives are continuously aiming to position IT as a business enabler rather than a cost center. To maintain that balance, IT executives are looking into solutions that let IT do more with less while remaining agile and continuing to innovate.
With the rapid proliferation of smartphones and tablets, the demand to deliver electronic forms to many people across multiple devices, both online and offline, has grown multifold. Now electronic Forms integrated with Workflow solution enables customers to automate forms based Workflow. The E-Forms with Workflow does have a "built-in" workflow engine and design tool that enables users to create process flows through a point and click GUI, assign forms to those processes, view, fill and route the forms to users and even monitor workflow operations with valuable reports. Electronic forms and workflow now operate in one elegant package.
In 2006, Adobe and IBM were the clear market leaders in e-forms. In the past few years, activities in the market have led to consolidation as well as transformation, as e-forms today are more aggressively integrated with content management and business process solutions to support internal data capture and Web self-service. The maturity of the technology over time and its future plans clearly indicates that it shall stay in the IT ecosystem for long.
This document outlines the finer elements of the technology, future directions and product & Vendor comparison. No interview has been taken from the organizations or its customer and is fully researched product with varied inputs available in Public Domain.
Key Considerations For Exchange Email Deployments In Academic EnvironmentsPeter de Haas
This document provides details and consideration needed in making informed decisions on deployment choices for Exchange in academic environments. This document is intended for information technology (IT) professionals who are engaged in decision making of next generation academic email systems.
The City of Denver implemented Alfresco in 2009 to help consolidate content management systems and provide a central content repository for managing city contracts. With the help of Zia Consulting, an Alfresco Platinum Partner, Denver now uses Alfresco as the foundation to help streamline multiple city business processes and to communicate better with its citizens.
In the past 15 months, Denver has replaced it outdated contract records system, automated its procurement process, and extended its 311 service to the Web and mobile devices. Using Alfresco as the central content repository, Denver and Zia have integrated it with CRM systems, PeopleSoft Financials and Oracle ESB as well as built reusable Web services based on the CMIS content management standard.
Denver’s use of Alfresco is not limited to internal city processes. The City extended its 311 service from a call center service to include the Web and Mobile apps. Citizens can now download the 311 app from the Apple App Store and easily report non-emergency items to the city such as potholes or graffiti.
Our company is into web2.0 latest technology for making websites and includes features like Social Networking Applications ,Content Management System,web2.0 look and feel , and other networking features.we are also into ERP Software solutions and Mobile applications for blackberry,java enabled and other business phones.
There has been a paradigm shift in the way how organizations are moving towards enterpriselevel
adoption of Rich Internet Applications and Platforms with the evolution of internet. Earlier
the webpages were more of static content and involved lot of traversing through pages to complete
a transaction, now the web applications are very much dynamic, interactive and help the
user complete the same transaction in a few clicks. In the near term, such adoption will favor
The deployment of Rich Internet Applications and technologies added more twist to these
changing terrains by providing desktop like features, sandbox security and many more capabilities
there by creating an integrated rich user experience where most of the business users want
to access their RIA applications on Mobile and tablet devices.
This paper also presents key trends to understand the evolution of different RIA technologies
and also harness the power of RIA in creating an interactive and converging user experience
across domains and industries.
IBM Connect 2016 - Logging Wars: A Cross Product Tech Clash Between Experts -...Chris Miller
Things WILL get VERY technical when two experts face-off in a unique session that explores polar perceptions regarding various types of logs, verbosity levels, data extraction, responses for alerts, and more. Be it Domino, Sametime, or Traveler operating on-prem. or in Hybrid and Cloud environments, it is vital to have an understanding of log data structure, what is (or isn't) logged and why, and how to search logs effectively. But aren't there ways to find your information without having to pipe everything into the log? Where does one's best practice end and another's begin? From this collision of opposing viewpoints and real-world stories, you'll take away knowledge and tools ready to deploy to various scenarios, products, and log types.
Next generation DeskTop with Oracle WebCenter and ADFAlejandro Cañadas
VASS Web Desk can be considered the fastest, easy way to generate desk jobs such as:
Consulting your sales figures,Running Business Intelligence (BI) reports without complicated systems,access relevant information when needed,interact with colleagues or manage and track projects among others
Many small and medium scale industries could not afford the expensive enterprise software either
on premise or through Application Service Providers as it incurred heavy installations cost, maintenance cost.
Mean while the development of social, economic, increasing Internet technology lead to the evolvement of Cloud
computing Technology which allowed the users to share the resources across the Internet. This development brought
about a radical change in the computing technology posing new challenges as the requirements of the users kept on c
hanging frequently and such an installed Application Service Providers on the premise of the user made it difficult to
meet these changed user requirement. Thus the vendors developed a new architectural style based upon the
constructional forms and changing the way the functionalities are delivered to the user. This shift in the way of
delivery of software created a new business market. In this the user is freed from the need of installation of the
software thus shifting the maintenance cost to the vendor. This type of business model is termed as Software as a
service which is one-to-many model based on “on use pay” (subscription) basis. SaaS not much different from
traditional ASP has some SaaS specific functions added to it like registry, billing etc. This paper reviews th is
business model comparing it with the traditional ASP application and the Service Oriented Architecture. It describe
the life cycle of SaaS by covering its maturity model and its architecture. It also highlights the advantages of SaaS
along with some of the characteristics required / desired in any SaaS application.
Aprenda a como namorar e manter esse relacionamento durante muito tempo.
Gostou? Visite http://expertdaconquista e aprenda mais sobre o jogo da conquista.
Conjunto de dicas que iram faze-lo entender exatamente como superar uma traição, seja por parte da sua namorada ou esposa.
Não esqueça de visitar http://expertdaconquista.com e aprenda muito mais sobre a arte da sedução.
https://youtu.be/Ou78jYZzkOw
Key Considerations For Exchange Email Deployments In Academic EnvironmentsPeter de Haas
This document provides details and consideration needed in making informed decisions on deployment choices for Exchange in academic environments. This document is intended for information technology (IT) professionals who are engaged in decision making of next generation academic email systems.
The City of Denver implemented Alfresco in 2009 to help consolidate content management systems and provide a central content repository for managing city contracts. With the help of Zia Consulting, an Alfresco Platinum Partner, Denver now uses Alfresco as the foundation to help streamline multiple city business processes and to communicate better with its citizens.
In the past 15 months, Denver has replaced it outdated contract records system, automated its procurement process, and extended its 311 service to the Web and mobile devices. Using Alfresco as the central content repository, Denver and Zia have integrated it with CRM systems, PeopleSoft Financials and Oracle ESB as well as built reusable Web services based on the CMIS content management standard.
Denver’s use of Alfresco is not limited to internal city processes. The City extended its 311 service from a call center service to include the Web and Mobile apps. Citizens can now download the 311 app from the Apple App Store and easily report non-emergency items to the city such as potholes or graffiti.
Our company is into web2.0 latest technology for making websites and includes features like Social Networking Applications ,Content Management System,web2.0 look and feel , and other networking features.we are also into ERP Software solutions and Mobile applications for blackberry,java enabled and other business phones.
There has been a paradigm shift in the way how organizations are moving towards enterpriselevel
adoption of Rich Internet Applications and Platforms with the evolution of internet. Earlier
the webpages were more of static content and involved lot of traversing through pages to complete
a transaction, now the web applications are very much dynamic, interactive and help the
user complete the same transaction in a few clicks. In the near term, such adoption will favor
The deployment of Rich Internet Applications and technologies added more twist to these
changing terrains by providing desktop like features, sandbox security and many more capabilities
there by creating an integrated rich user experience where most of the business users want
to access their RIA applications on Mobile and tablet devices.
This paper also presents key trends to understand the evolution of different RIA technologies
and also harness the power of RIA in creating an interactive and converging user experience
across domains and industries.
IBM Connect 2016 - Logging Wars: A Cross Product Tech Clash Between Experts -...Chris Miller
Things WILL get VERY technical when two experts face-off in a unique session that explores polar perceptions regarding various types of logs, verbosity levels, data extraction, responses for alerts, and more. Be it Domino, Sametime, or Traveler operating on-prem. or in Hybrid and Cloud environments, it is vital to have an understanding of log data structure, what is (or isn't) logged and why, and how to search logs effectively. But aren't there ways to find your information without having to pipe everything into the log? Where does one's best practice end and another's begin? From this collision of opposing viewpoints and real-world stories, you'll take away knowledge and tools ready to deploy to various scenarios, products, and log types.
Next generation DeskTop with Oracle WebCenter and ADFAlejandro Cañadas
VASS Web Desk can be considered the fastest, easy way to generate desk jobs such as:
Consulting your sales figures,Running Business Intelligence (BI) reports without complicated systems,access relevant information when needed,interact with colleagues or manage and track projects among others
Many small and medium scale industries could not afford the expensive enterprise software either
on premise or through Application Service Providers as it incurred heavy installations cost, maintenance cost.
Mean while the development of social, economic, increasing Internet technology lead to the evolvement of Cloud
computing Technology which allowed the users to share the resources across the Internet. This development brought
about a radical change in the computing technology posing new challenges as the requirements of the users kept on c
hanging frequently and such an installed Application Service Providers on the premise of the user made it difficult to
meet these changed user requirement. Thus the vendors developed a new architectural style based upon the
constructional forms and changing the way the functionalities are delivered to the user. This shift in the way of
delivery of software created a new business market. In this the user is freed from the need of installation of the
software thus shifting the maintenance cost to the vendor. This type of business model is termed as Software as a
service which is one-to-many model based on “on use pay” (subscription) basis. SaaS not much different from
traditional ASP has some SaaS specific functions added to it like registry, billing etc. This paper reviews th is
business model comparing it with the traditional ASP application and the Service Oriented Architecture. It describe
the life cycle of SaaS by covering its maturity model and its architecture. It also highlights the advantages of SaaS
along with some of the characteristics required / desired in any SaaS application.
Aprenda a como namorar e manter esse relacionamento durante muito tempo.
Gostou? Visite http://expertdaconquista e aprenda mais sobre o jogo da conquista.
Conjunto de dicas que iram faze-lo entender exatamente como superar uma traição, seja por parte da sua namorada ou esposa.
Não esqueça de visitar http://expertdaconquista.com e aprenda muito mais sobre a arte da sedução.
https://youtu.be/Ou78jYZzkOw
Donderdag 13 februari organiseerde Octopus in samenwerking met GetLean, Yacht, De Leeuw Bestuursrecht en de Gemeente Eindhoven de Juridische Inspiratiemiddag. Een inspirerende middag in het teken van Lean. Hier vindt u de presentatie van Yacht
Aprenda a conquistar uma moça acompanhada e conquiste as mulheres em praticamente qualquer situação.
Gostou? Visite http://expertdaconquista.com e aprenda mais sobre o jogo da conquista.
The evolution of cloud technology has helped many laboratories to increase their productivity and reliability by digitalising and automating their operations. Digitalising here means easily migrating their data saved in the form of old paper notebooks and spreadsheets to computerized storage and management systems.
API Enablement on Mainframes. How to API enable mainframe applications & services. How to integrated mainframe services and applications to mobile, cloud and external apps. This white paper covers couple of patterns to API enable mainframe based applications and services.
Cloud computing is Internet ("cloud") based development and use of computer technology ("computing"). It is an emerging computing technology that uses the Internet and central remote servers to maintain data and applications. Cloud computing allows consumers and business to use applications without installation and access their personal files at any computer with Internet access. This technology allows for much more efficient computing by centralizing storage, memory, processing and bandwidth.
Web Application Architecture: Everything You Need to Know AboutNoman Shaikh
The Internet is no longer defined by static web pages and prolonged loading times. Over time, the Internet has shifted toward active user participation and expanded functionality through the deployment of aesthetically appealing and sophisticated web apps.
International Journal of Computational Engineering Research(IJCER)ijceronline
International Journal of Computational Engineering Research(IJCER) is an intentional online Journal in English monthly publishing journal. This Journal publish original research work that contributes significantly to further the scientific knowledge in engineering and Technology.
Quality Attributes of Web Software Applications ∗hasnainqayyum1
Quality Attributes of Web Software Applications
Quality Attributes of Web Software Applications ∗
Quality Attributes of Web Software Applications ∗
Quality Attributes of Web Software Applications ∗
Quality Attributes of Web Software Applications ∗
At some point in time, organizations of all sizes would find some advantage in implementing Cloud computing. It is inevitable and we may ask ourselves what is actually holding us back in implementing it today. Perhaps fear, lack of resources or the most common issue of convincing the higher management about the underlying benefits. This presentation can be used to address the last issue.
Web Application Development-Ultimate Guide To Web Application ArchitectureVersatile Mobitech
At Versatile Mobitech, we employ knowledgeable engineers that can help you choose theweb framework and architecture that will best meet your company's demands.
Learn what APIs and Microservices are and how they are different. After all, together they power some of the most amazing applications on the internet. https://www.webguru-india.com/blog/apis-and-microservices-what-are-they/
Mentions about the details and the advantages that cloud computing has to offer in E commerce which is highly use by high tech customers at present modern technology age.
Sybase, back in 1995, was constructing an advanced workflow system based on agent technology. This system was presented to an invitation-only group of Powersoft customers at the 1995 Powersoft Users Group meeting at DisneyWorld. The group creating the solution was an advanced technology group formed when Sybase purchased Powersoft.
Running Head VIRTUALIZATION 1VIRTUALIZATION 1Virt.docxrtodd599
Running Head: VIRTUALIZATION
1
VIRTUALIZATION
1
Virtualization
Janella Lawton
September 7, 2018
Dr. Reddy Urimindi
CIS 512
Virtualization
Information technology systems are growing, and their use is increasing significantly in many technology organizations. An example of an IT technology that is heavily embraced by organizations is virtualization. This technology involves the development of a virtual rather than an actual representation of the version of the product such as a server, operating system, a network resource system and a device for storing data. Virtualization allows the user to operate more servers as well as multiple applications which significantly improves the efficiency of data centers. It becomes easy to deploy workloads in a faster more convenient way which increases opportunities and automating operations. This makes the daily operations smooth and easy to manage. Also, the cost of running operations is reduced as you operate these activities. The key characteristics of virtualization include; Isolation, encapsulation, hardware independence and partitioning. The software can divide the resources and the system between the identified virtual systems (Bull & Matthews, 2016). The performance of organizations can be preserved using more advanced and updated resources controls. Information technology management for business has improved business operations and creates opportunities through server virtualization.
Top Three Brands of Virtualization Software Available
The main reason most businesses are embracing virtualization is due to consolidations. These are very effective strategies that allow the business managers to stretch the server to its maximum capacity using the installation of different types of software on one unit of hardware. Another remarkable reason that business managers go for virtualization for their IT departments is that a virtual machine enhances technology in an energy efficient way compared to the dedicated servers. Also, too many virtual servers can be chosen rather than having too many dedicated servers which will still save the operational cost by being energy efficient.
The first virtual software available in the market and used by the information technology departments of businesses is VMware which is supported by their vSphere/ESXi.The product comes in different packages of free editions and that of five commercial editions. VMwaredominated the business market when it designed innovative features like the Storage vMotion, vMotion, memory overcommitment and Fault Tolerance (Lee, 2014). VSphere allows its users to virtualize applications that can operate on stronger computers and applications that can operate on any regular computers.
The second virtual software that is available in the market for businesses is Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V. This software always emerges among the top three competing with vSphere and XenServer. This software offers clients a reliable and flex.
Running Head VIRTUALIZATION 1VIRTUALIZATION 1Virt.docx
Web based lims_white_paper
1. Page 1 of 9 CONFIDENTIAL
WHITE PAPER
Web-based vs. Web-enabled LIMS:
What is the Difference?
NOTE:
This White Paper is intended for information purposes only, and may not be incorporated into any contract. It is not a
commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. The
development, release, and timing of any features or functionality described for STARLIMS products remains at the sole
discretion of STARLIMS.
October, 2007
Simon Wood, PhD
Executive Director, Marketing and Education
2. Web-based vs. Web-Enabled White Paper Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 3
WEB-BASED LIMS 5
WEB-ENABLED LIMS 8
SUMMARY 9
3. Page 3 of 9 CONFIDENTIAL
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Commercial Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) have been available on the market for about
20 years. Given the phenomenal rate of change within the IT industry over that time, it is not surprising that
there has been an equally significant change in the technology underlying commercial LIMS. Indeed the LIMS
industry over the past 20 years has been characterized by arguments and debates over the relative
advantages of the available technology.
Initially LIMS were available on mainframe or mini computers such as Dec Vax systems, with users accessing
the system through character-based terminals. As PCs became more and more ubiquitous, the technology
shifted to Client/Server-based systems running over Wide Area or Local Area Networks (WAN/LAN). As a
simple definition of Client/Server Systems the Client (i.e. the PC on the user’s desk) runs some, or all, of the
application while the server runs the rest of the application, hosts the database in which the data is stored and
process requests for storing and retrieving data. Until the advent of the Web and the growth of Web-based
Technology, Client/Server systems were the dominant force in LIMS. However, even at this time there was
argument as to how much of the application should be on the client and how much should be on the server,
the so-called thin client/ thick client debate.
When the PCs available to users were relatively short of computing power (mainly due to the cost of memory,
processing power and storage) the client side of the application was limited in its capability and would be
responsible for relatively little processing i.e. they were thin clients. For example they might just be responsible
for managing the graphical user interface. Massive improvements in the performance of available PCs (caused
by a reduction in cost of processing power, memory and storage) meant that much more powerful machines
could be made available to users on their desk tops. These machines could do more and more processing
independently of the server, so more and more of the application could be run on the client i.e. they became
thick clients. Various manufacturers adopted either thin or thick client architecture but the overall move was
towards more and more of the application running on the client.
With both thin and thick clients there is always application code that needs to be loaded onto the users’
machines for the application to run. The application must be installed on every machine that needs to run the
application and when updates become available they must also be installed on each machine. For
organizations with large numbers of LIMS users this can become a logistical nightmare, with the constant
concern that users could be using different versions of the same product if the upgrade is not properly
managed. Validation of the installs also becomes a concern, especially within the regulated industries. The
introduction of code management systems and automatic deployment mechanisms helps overcome some of
these issues to a certain extent, but the issue of multiple machines each running the application code and the
need to manage these machines remains (including ensuring they are powerful enough to run the latest
version of the application). Of course, if a user’s PC should go wrong they will only be able to continue working
4. Web-based vs. Web-Enabled White Paper Page 4
when they can obtain or use another machine with the application installed—an important issue when dealing
with business-critical systems and functions such as those managed by LIMS.
The adoption of emulation software such as Microsoft’s Window Terminal Services and Citrix Metaframe can
help alleviate some of these issues. Implementing emulation software of this type means that the application
runs, and all processing is carried out, entirely on the server, but the application and interface are presented to
the user as if they were running on the PC. This technology makes it easier to roll out the application to users,
but of course the emulation software itself needs to be maintained and supported, and if users see problems
with the application it can be difficult to trace these to the application itself or to the way it works within the
emulation software.
5. Page 5 of 9 CONFIDENTIAL
WEB-BASED LIMS
The adoption of the Web as a serious tool for business and the subsequent demand for systems that run
within a Web environment has triggered another change in LIMS technology with users wanting Web-based
systems. LIMS suppliers have responded in a number of ways and the way they have responded, and how
they characterize their offerings, can cause possible confusion among potential users. Typically systems may
be described as Web-based or Web-enabled, and confusion can arise between these terms, especially as they
are sometimes used interchangeably, even though they are technically very different. It is important that users
understand the differences so that they can identify which systems are truly Web-based and which are Web-
enabled when considering the options available.
Web-based systems are characterized as having been developed specifically to run within the Web
environment. The ‘client’ is an internet browser and is responsible only for displaying the user interface; none
of the application runs on the client side and none of the processing is done there either.
Early Web-based systems were implemented using HTML and were characterized by having simple user
interfaces and limited functionality, although they did allow efficient navigation of the Web and expanded
accessibility to the applications. However, the limitations of HTML meant, for example, that it was not possible
to implement complex simultaneous processes. Within LIMS such process are commonly required. For
example on result entry the system may need to trigger a calculation to run and a change in status, as well as
validation of results against specification and updating of the screen display.
Developments in programmable eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and SOAP-based Web services now
allow developers to provide rich user interfaces and to implement complex functionality. Static HTML pages
have been replaced by rich interfaces created with XML form engines, meaning that Web-based systems can
now have User Interfaces equivalent to Client/Server based systems in terms of usability, functionality and
familiarity. Communication between the Web browser (client) and server is achieved using the standard Web
transfer protocol (HTTP) or optionally the Secure HTTP (HTTPS) and Intranets or Extranets with firewalls can
be used.
However, by fully leveraging the .NET Framework within the web browser, true Web-based systems can
provide much more than just a good looking user screen. The browser becomes a powerful web based ‘client’
that incorporates the full power of the .NET Framework. Interfaces to physical devices as well as other local or
enterprise IT systems can be developed, implemented and managed within the Web environment. This is of
particular importance within the laboratory where LIMS may need to interface with many different types of
device and software systems. For example there may a need to make physical connections with devices such
as cameras, balances or other simple instruments, for the capture and storage of data via physical USB or
RS232 cables. The use of the .NET framework technology allows fully Web-based systems to manage these
6. Web-based vs. Web-Enabled White Paper Page 6
interfaces from the web browser as effectively and efficiently as any Client /Server system. The same is true
for software systems where LIMS may need to interface with local laboratory based instrument software
systems such as Chromatography Data Systems (CDS) or Mass Spec Data Systems, site based systems
such as SCADA and enterprise wide systems such as ERP, or Scientific Data Management Systems (SDMS).
A truly Web-based system will allow for the full integration of these systems all managed from within the Web
browser; in effect the Web browser becomes the interface.
True Web-based Systems allow all system functionality including management and development functionality
to be run from the browser; indeed by its very nature a true Web-based system can only run the functionality
through the browser as there is no client side application code.
There are many advantages of adopting the Web-based approach. Based on what has been said before
perhaps the most obvious is that there are no issues with maintaining client side software as the application
runs entirely on the server. This also means that performance is dependent only on the servers available and
is therefore more manageable. Both of these mean that management of the system is simplified. As Web-
based systems have no client side software installed the potential for the application interfering with other
applications is removed, for example conflicts that can arise if applications require different versions of the
same shared components.
Access to the system is simplified as well, especially for remote or geographically separated users. Remote
users only require an Internet connection in order to use the system. This is obviously an advantage for home
based users or for users who spend periods of time away from their office or laboratory. However, Web-based
systems also provide the ability to easily extend the system to customers, or other third parties, who may
require access. Provided that the system allows for user or role based access definitions, the nature of Web-
based systems mean that these external users can have access to as much or as little of the system as
required, without the requirement to create additional specific functionality. This is because they are using
exactly the same system as internal users. Of course this means that it is simple to allow customers to create
their own testing requests, review results and query their information in the same way that internal users
would. It also means that if testing is outsourced to third-party laboratories or testing facilities these
organizations can enter results directly into the LIMS, removing the need for them to submit result reports to
the laboratory for input. Again as zero client side software is required for these users, there is no system
management burden imposed when upgrades and new releases become available. If external users require
access to additional functionality within the system, this can be achieved by simply changing their role or
access definitions.
Web-based systems that support and use Web Services also enable full enterprise integration to other
systems that also support Web Services. Within the laboratory there is the need for seamless integration
between many different systems including LIMS, Chromatography Data Systems (CDS), and Mass Spec Data
Systems (MSDS). However, integration to other enterprise systems can be equally important i.e. Enterprise
Resource Planning (ERP) Systems, Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) Systems, Document
7. Page 7 of 9 CONFIDENTIAL
Management systems, Data Warehouses and even Human Resource (HR) systems. The adoption and use of
Web Services can greatly simplify both the development and maintenance of these enterprise links.
8. Web-based vs. Web-Enabled White Paper Page 8
WEB-ENABLED LIMS
Web-enabled is a somewhat undefined term but can be summed up as an existing Client/Server system that
has had some features developed that allow it to run all, or some, of its functionality within a Web Browser.
This can take two main forms, with a third possibility of employing Web-based deployment technology. First,
there is the development of Web-based front ends that provide a portal like interface to the system for specific,
but usually limited, functionality. For example, options for users to view results or sample status or to pre-log
testing requests. These options are often simple and provide an unsophisticated user experience and limited
functionality. As they have to be developed specifically for the application, every time an external user requires
new functionality this has to be created; they cannot use similar functionality that may be available to non
Web-based users in the Client/Server system itself.
Another approach adopted for Web-enabling LIMS allows Web connectivity of the system by replacing direct
client to database connection e.g. open database connectivity (ODBC) with Web Services protocols e.g.
Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), therefore making remote access to databases possible. While this
approach allows accessibility to the central database from multiple diverse sites over the Internet and provides
the user with a familiar user interface, it still requires the installation, update and maintenance of the client
software on every users PC and therefore limits system accessibility to only those PCs with the client software
installed.
Finally, some systems that are described as Web-enabled actually just use Web-based deployment strategies
to deploy Client/Server systems. Products such as Microsoft’s ClickOnce deployment technology can alleviate
the maintenance burdens of a Client/Server system by employing a Web-based application deployment and
update strategy that simplifies the installation process. There may be a number of deployment strategies
available, but in essence users click on a specific link or icon and the client application is downloaded and
installed to their machine. In addition, updates can be checked for and downloaded automatically. Microsoft’s
ClickOnce technology also installs the client application on the user’s machine into a separate ‘sandbox’ or
self-contained protected area which helps to minimize the possible impact that the client application may have
on the rest of the client system and other applications that are running i.e. version conflicts between shared
components. However, these systems are still Client/Server based systems with the client application running
on the user’s machine.
9. Page 9 of 9 CONFIDENTIAL
SUMMARY
There are several important distinctions between Web-enabled and Web-based LIMS. It is important to
understand the differences between the two on a technological and functional level and to understand which
model a particular LIMS or LIMS supplier has adopted. Making this differentiation can help users to make the
correct choice of system that meets their Web strategy. Web-based systems are those that have been
specifically developed to run in the Web environment; they are characterized by having zero client side install
and all functionality—including management type functionality—running within the browser. While early Web-
based systems may have been unsophisticated, especially in terms of the user interface, adoption of the latest
Web technology ensures that these systems are as sophisticated and functionally rich as Client/Server based
systems.
Web-enabled systems are Client/Server based systems that have had some, or all, of their functionality
adapted to run within the Web environment. However, they still require client-side software to be downloaded,
with the system management and possible system conflict issues that this involves. If the system has
functionality that is not available from within the Web browser or if functionality is available both from within a
Web browser and outside of the browser, then the system may be Web-enabled, but is not truly Web-based.