20-25 middlewaresurvey.qxd 7/31/08 3:25 pm page 20

20 August 2008 | clpmag.com

1) What is the name of your company’s middleware?

2) How many installations of your middleware are in placeworldwide (with multisite installations counted as one)?

3) When did your first middleware installation go live?

4) When was the most recent upgrade issued?

5) Does your middleware interface with:

• bedside/handheld ID devices?• blood-banking systems?• central data repositories?• electronic medical records?• hospital information systems?• laboratory automation systems?• laboratory information systems?• microbiology systems?• pharmacy systems? • physician office management systems?• point-of-care testing instruments?• public health surveillance systems/registries?• reference laboratories?• reporting systems (administrative/financial/

compliance/QA)?• specimen-tracking systems?• stand-alone automated instruments?• other (specify)?

6) What are the three most important needs/LIS gaps thatyour middleware can fill?

7) Describe in two sentences your middleware pricing struc-ture.

8) In two sentences, describe how new users are trained.

9) In addition to traditional technical support, whatresources are available to help users resolve questions?

10) In three sentences, describe how your middleware (notyour company) differs from competing products?

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Real-time automated determination of reagent quantity on hand andlot numbers/expiration dates. Automated determination of whichreagents and the quantities to order. Objective and analytic analysisof all aspects of inventory management.

The Windows™ version has a one-time site license, unlimitednumber of users, and free upgrades.

New users learn the system by following a printed tutorial, a pres-entation using PowerPoint and, when needed, online training.

The traditional technical support is sufficient as the software isintuitive.

A laboratory-specific inventory and supply chain managementsolution. Use of portable scanner to greatly reduce time to countinventory. Comprehensive and objective analytical reporting.

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Several Atlas clients drive more than 60% (and in some casesmore than 90%) of their outreach order volume electronically intotheir LIS using Lab OuterWare. They take advantage of LabOuterWare’s capability to augment gaps in other outreach enter-prise systems, including: system flexibility and configurability,multistaged ordering, and the integration capabilities of AtlasLabEMR.

Atlas is flexible in developing pricing models that meet the needsof prospective clients. The most common models for LabOuterWare include the capital license model, with an upfrontlicense cost and ongoing annual maintenance fees, and a monthlyutilization-based model that is linked to the volume of orders andresults handled by the system.

Intensive training for system administrators, lab support staff, andthe lab’s sales force is provided as part of the initial implementa-tion. This is supported by extensive online help with quick refer-ence guides and other support tools available to users as well.

Atlas maintains an extensive online searchable issue tracking data-base that allows users to research similar issues and resolutions.

Lab OuterWare can demonstrate a track record of driving 90%+ ofthe orders in high-volume labs electronically. Its powerful integra-tion capabilities are supported by a unique customer service dash-board that allows proactive workflow management with issues andexceptions reporting. Lab OuterWare’s next generation architectureis capable of supporting integrated disease management, decisionsupport, automated public health reporting, and other initiativescritical to the future of health care today.

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Maximizing the use of autoverification across the entire lab,whether IM’s powerful rules capability is used as a preprocessorfor the LIS or as a complete review, edit, release, and rerun/reflexsystem. The integration of quality control results within the pro-cessing of patient results in real time, alerting technicians forimmediate action as soon as the quality of production is compro-mised. For more information, go to www.clpmag.com.

Perpetual software license with annual support and maintenancefees. License is modular, allowing the customer to purchase onlythose features desired.

On-site training and classroom training (both scheduled and per-sonalized) are available. In addition, e-learning is accomplishedthrough presentations and video demonstrations available fordownload from our Web site.

A complete set of manuals is provided, and our Customer WebPortal includes a searchable Knowledge Base. Customers may alsosign up for a Tips and Tricks e-mail list for automatic notification ofissues, resolutions, and workarounds.

Instrument Manager is the only FDA 510(k)-cleared middlewareproduct on the market. It is a true open system, sold independentof automation, instrumentation, and laboratory information system.IM’s database is accessible via Open Database Connectivity, allow-ing laboratories to easily generate unlimited reports for analysisand compliance purposes.

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Capable of supporting industry-standard protocols such as HL7,ASTM, XML, and other host communication, including direct data-base connections. The JavaLin provides rules-based processingcapabilities at the instrument level, which allows the end user tocustomize the data flow to meet their needs. The JavaLin offersdistributed processing architecture, reducing processing demandon the host system, as well as isolating it from viruses and otherproblems on the main LIS network.

The JavaLin can provide a full middleware solution for a singleanalyzer for under $2,500.

New users are provided with comprehensive documentation,access to the technical support department, and online knowledgebase. Classroom, on-site, or Web-based training is available to allusers.

In addition to Standard and 24/7 technical support, Dawning providesan online knowledge base containing documents, articles, and helpfultools for our customers’ reference. A documentation CD is also shippedwith all middleware applications for our customers’ convenience.

Running an embedded version of the powerful JResultNet InterfaceEngine Software, the JavaLin offers one-step connections directlyto the LIS/HIS/EMR. The JavaLin eliminates the need for terminalservers at the instrument connection point. Onboard rules featuresare available in the JavaLin accommodating most customizationsto desired data processing at the instrument level.

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JResultNet offers a powerful solution with a vast amount of flexibili-ty and customizable options. It offers enhanced rules-based pro-cessing capabilities in support of autoverification, making labprocesses more efficient, speeding up turnaround time, andimproving patient safety. JResultNet products are scalable andgrow with the needs of a laboratory. Perpetual software license withannual support and maintenance fees. License is modular, allowingthe customer to purchase only those features desired.

Starting at $4,000, the price of JResultNet scales to meet theneeds of each laboratory.

New users are provided with comprehensive documentation,access to the technical support department, and an online knowl-edgebase. Classroom, on-site, or Web based training is availableto all users.

In addition to Standard and 24/7 technical support, Dawning providesan online knowledgebase containing documents, articles, and helpfultools for our customers’ reference. A documentation CD is also shippedwith all middleware applications for our customers’ convenience.

JResultNet Interface Engine Software is Java-based and highlymodular. It can run on a variety of hardware and software platforms,thereby offering customers a scalable solution that is able to serveenterprisewide multihospital autoverification implementations andsingle-instrument connections equally well. JResultNet offers easy-to-use rules entry tools that allow for a simple way to write, save,and edit very complex rules.

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FFLex eLink is our state-of-the-art middleware product designed toprovide an economic solution for connectivity between clinicalinstruments, ancillary medical devices and electronic medicalrecords (EMR), practice management system (PMS), or electronichealth record (EHR) systems within a Physician’s office. Atlas isflexible in developing pricing models that meet the needs ofprospective clients. For more information, go to www.clpmag.com.

For a low, base price between $3,500 and $6,600, the FFlex eLinkproduct includes the software (engine, database software, and intu-itive user interface), a host interface module that communicateswith your EMR, PMS, or EHR, clinical instrument interfaces, con-nection of other ancillary devices, installations, and 1 year of sup-port. For more information, go to www.clpmag.com.

Although the user interface is intuitive and simple to use, Web-based training plus an online training manual are provided witheach installation.

Our FFlex eLink systems come with phone and online technicalsupport. Customer technical support is provided by phone, or thecustomer can invite our support representatives to go online, walkthrough the issue, and help resolve problems remotely.

FFlex eLink is specially designed and priced for the underservedwaived laboratory market, providing a streamlined way to integrateinstruments and systems, eliminating manual steps in the lab’sworkflow. In addition to drastically reducing the cost associatedwith manual transcription of results, FFlex eLink helps to eliminatethe liability associated with transcription errors, achieve a paper-less environment, and streamline your laboratory.

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Elimination of specimen labeling errors. Improved workflowprocess. Faster turnaround times.

Our pricing structure incorporates both licensing at the client orsite level depending on the hospital’s particular specimen-collec-tion quantity requirements.

Lattice provides effective, detailed, and informative on-site trainingof our customers’ superusers. The superusers then are equipped totrain their users.

Lattice provides unlimited 24x7 support.

MediCopia was designed by phlebotomists for phlebotomists. It isvery process-oriented and easy to use. It operates in both wirelessand batch environments. Most importantly from an error-elimina-tion standpoint, MediCopia prints specimen labels after the speci-mens are drawn.

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mats, including HL7, X12, EDI, XML, and binary, and providestransport mediation.

The Meddius Integration Router is a rack-mountable, highly scala-ble integration appliance built specifically to enable hospitals andhealth care vendors to quickly add real-time, intelligent system-to-system message routing capabilities to their networks. For moreinformation, go to www.clpmag.com.

The Meddius’ Integration Router is priced as a monthly subscrip-tion per appliance. Because pricing is not based on number ofusers, connections, or message transactions, it reduces costs by80% over traditional software alternatives, and requires no softwareto purchase, install, or maintain.

Because Meddius customizes, deploys and manages the IntegrationRouter; little to no training is needed. The device is preconfiguredfor each unique environment, which usually takes only 1 to 3 weeks;multiple Integration Routers can be configured within a cluster.

On top of our 365x24x7 technical support, Meddius providesremote monitoring and management for all appliances. Our uniqueoffering doesn’t put any burden on our customers’ existing IT staffor infrastructure. The combination of our hardware-based approachto integration and our technical support services makes theIntegration Router a zero administration device.

Unlike software solutions currently in the marketplace, theIntegration Router provides common HL7 message transformation,seamless integration, and high-performance routing functions in asingle network device. All appliances are remotely managed andmonitored under an affordable subscription-based pricing model.

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Roche Middleware positively impacts workflow efficiencies throughautovalidation, automated serum indices checking, delta checks,and reflex rerun rules. This helps to free up lab technicians to con-centrate on other areas of the sample process.

The Roche middleware pricing structure provides three differentpackaging options, which include hardware, software, training, andsupport.

Roche provides a 2-hour teleconference to introduce the new user.This is followed up with 2 days of on-site training and 2 days onIndianapolis-based advanced operator training.

Roche has a large pool of IT resources to assist in every aspect ofmiddleware support. The company has PMP-certified project man-agers who assist with installation and tier 2/3 customer support.Roche also has a dedicated middleware training staff and regionalIT product consultants.

Roche’s dedicated sales, training, and service infrastructure. Bio-Rad QC Real Time Interface. One number to call for all softwareand hardware support.

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Consolidation of patient data and QC management from multipleinstruments benefiting all sizes of laboratories. Flexible tools forthe implementation of autoverification based on instrument flags,QC, normal ranges, and delta checking. For more information, goto www.clpmag.com.

Licenses are required for ADVIA CentraLink Sites: SoftwareLicenses- are required for all sites and consist of a one-time pur-chase. Maintenance Licenses- are required for all sites and are ini-tially purchased together with Software Licenses and include amandatory annual renewal.

The ADVIA CentraLink utilizes a Windows- based operating systemwith user-friendly applications and intuitive navigation. New usersare trained on-site by Siemens Technical Application Specialistsand also have access to classroom and online training as well.

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics offers customers a wide variety ofservices and solutions providing the most comprehensive supportavailable from a single vendor. In addition to traditional technical sup-port, Siemens offers customer service support, global call centers,technical field personnel, seminars and audio conferences, Siemensscholarship program, and continuing medical education courses.

The ADVIA CentraLink® is an automation system controller, net-working, and data manager solution supporting connectivity of upto 32 instrument connections via a single system for combinationsof multiple chemistry, immunoassay, hematology, hemostasis, uri-nalysis, and molecular systems in an automated, partially automat-ed, or nonautomated configuration, the largest offering servicedand supported by one manufacturer. For more information, go towww.clpmag.com.

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The EasyLink™ Informatics System offers: Simple architecture fordata consolidation, connecting multiple instrument systems and/orautomation to the LIS. A comprehensive integrated Web-based*QC software application that integrates with the results managerapplication for autoverification purposes. For more information, goto www.clpmag.com.

The purchase of one EasyLink Informatics System supports up to 8instrument connections per system, connectivity to an unlimitednumber of hospital PCs with Web browsers on the hospital net-work; supporting up to 25 concurrent users on networked PCs.

The EasyLink Informatics System utilizes a Windows-based operat-ing system with a user-friendly interface and intuitive navigation.New users are trained on-site by Siemens Technical ApplicationSpecialists and can take classroom or online training and haveaccess to Online Help and an Online Operator’s Guide via theEasyLink workstation.

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics offers customers a wide variety ofservices and solutions providing the most comprehensive supportavailable from a single vendor. In addition to traditional technical sup-port, Siemens offers: customer service support, global call centers,technical field personnel, seminars and audio conferences, Siemensscholarship program, and continuing medical education courses.

The EasyLink Informatics System utilizes browser-based networkingcapability to connect multiple instrument systems to the LIS ormultiple locations within a hospital network and provides supportfor multiple, or additional remote users per workstation without theneed for additional licenses (on networked PCs). Predefined pack-aged rule sets and rules wizards in EasyLink provide operators intu-itive rules writing tools for autoverification related to delta check-ing, reflex testing, instrument flags, calculations, and panic valuesspecific to site needs, along with an integrated QC application thatalso offers customizable statistical QC rules and configurableadvanced or automatic rule checks.

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It features a dedicated and specific microbiology module that canoffer a huge benefit to the existing LIS system, offering true work-bench protocol definitions with the option of implementing a truepaperless workflow in the microbiology department. Sample rout-ing, tracking, storage, and full workflow management functionalitiesare also available within the TD-LPM middleware.

Either a traditional licensing based on the configuration (size, num-ber of interfaces, users) and professional services, or a monthly feebased on the volume of specimens being processed.

New users are trained on-site at their facility or at the Technidataoffices, depending upon their preference. Separate training coursesoccur for “superusers” and general users. A general user trainingis provided, and if any specialized modules are implemented, theseadditional trainings are provided as well. For more info, go towww.clpmag.com.

Technidata has a complete and contextual online user help guideavailable for each of our middleware products and specializedmodules. In the majority of cases, answers can be found quicklyand easily within the online user guides.

TD-LPM is an information system dedicated to the comprehensivemanagement of the lab-test-result production. It is designed tohandle all the technical aspects of the laboratory workflow, fromdispatching specimens to (auto) verifying and reporting results.TD-LPM along with specialized modules such as Microbiology andQuality Document management can be integrated with existingsystems to manage all of the work within the laboratory. TD-LPM isan open and fully scalable solution for a laboratory of any size.

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TD-IDM / TD-WAM contains an easy-to-use Expert Rules Basededitor allowing simple or complex rules to be written and main-tained by the user, with a wide range of conditions and actionsavailable for execution preanalytically and postanalytically. Formore information, go to www.clpmag.com.

The pricing for TD-IDM / TD-WAM software licensing is basedupon the number of instruments connected to the system.Interfacing to EMR and Host application connections are includedin the system at no charge.

New users are trained on-site at their facility or at the Technidataoffices, depending upon their preference. We use the “train-the-trainer” approach, providing complete and exhaustive training tosuperusers who are then responsible for training the remainder oftheir staff.

Technidata has a complete and contextual online user help guide avail-able for each of our middleware products. In the majority of cases,answers can be found quickly and easily within the online user guide.

The TD-IDM / TD-WAM product is a mature and proven product that iscontinuously updated with new features based upon users’ needs,clients’ requests, and industry regulations. This product offers robustfunctionalities that can be run on minimal hardware and deployed in avery short time. With a main Control Panel “Dashboard-like” feature,users have an overview of and quickly access a multitude of informa-tion.

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Chameleon provides cost-effective connectivity that customersdemand in today’s marketplace. Chameleon’s user-friendly rules-based autovalidation provides efficiency savings that have beenpreviously unavailable at this price point.

The Chameleon is priced to provide maximum value, with a lowcost of acquisition and a low cost of ownership (upgrades, service,new interfaces, etc).

New users are trained on-site by dedicated trainers. Customizedfollow-up sessions are performed remotely on an as-needed basis.

Remote access capability through a high-speed Internet connection or telephone modem. This allows our technical support personnel toquickly resolve issues, which limits time on the phone and service visits.

Chameleon differs from the competition in that it provides unique fea-tures not available in competitive products. Other features, such asuser-friendly rules engines, are found only in systems with a signifi-cantly higher price.

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Data Innovations’ Instrument Manager™ (IM)

Fletcher-Flora’s FFlex eLink

Lattice’s MediCopia

Meddius’ Meddius Integration RouterTM

Siemens’ EasyLink™ Informatics System

Technidata’s TD-Middleware® suite: TD-LPM and TD-Middleware® suite: TD-IDM / TD-WAM

Vital Diagnostics’ Chameleon


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