Library automation systems have been used in libraries for years. It involves cataloguing books, documents and papers into organized sections for easier access. But the same concept can be introduced in different environments as well. Take clinical laboratories for example, which needs to be automated to facilitate work processes and establish a warehouse where crucial experiments, results and ongoing tests are stored. You can convert your laboratory into a fully automated ecosystem through numerous software applications available in the market today.
Evaluate your needs
Before executing your library automation system plans, however, you need to take stock of your needs as well as your goals. The first component that would be affected is your staff. Typically, you turn to technology in order to cut overhead expenses. That may include letting go of some of your personnel. Or in the opposite end of the spectrum, you might end up hiring more workers based upon the requirements of the technology. Of course, this may entail some costs. Training workers to optimize the benefits for example will mean more expenses, at least at the outset.
How will it affect your operations?
In the implementation of library automation systems, how will it impact on the operations? Data conversion for example will require changing the old systems to fit the requirements of the software. Does that mean you shut down the office while you incorporate the new technology into your workflow procedures? Will the transition be seamless or will the birth pains push up the overall budget to undesirable levels?
Also, you will have to determine if your software will be compatible with the other systems in place in your laboratory. It's not feasible to overhaul a perfectly working system just to accommodate the software.
Testing your new system
Software engineers typically run tests to determine the stability of the application before it is released commercially. The procedure is called user acceptance testing or field acceptance testing. In a laboratory setting, however, you need to run a factory acceptance test (FAT) to determine whether the technology that you just installed is working as it is supposed to.
The factory acceptance test runs the whole gamut from clinical trials, data storage, or bugs and glitches. You will be testing for the physical requirements of the software and how it performs in a real-world environment. The FAT is not limited to clinical laboratories, however, because other industries like oil and gas, manufacturing and information technology are also using this standard method for excellence.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8262884
Evaluate your needs
Before executing your library automation system plans, however, you need to take stock of your needs as well as your goals. The first component that would be affected is your staff. Typically, you turn to technology in order to cut overhead expenses. That may include letting go of some of your personnel. Or in the opposite end of the spectrum, you might end up hiring more workers based upon the requirements of the technology. Of course, this may entail some costs. Training workers to optimize the benefits for example will mean more expenses, at least at the outset.
How will it affect your operations?
In the implementation of library automation systems, how will it impact on the operations? Data conversion for example will require changing the old systems to fit the requirements of the software. Does that mean you shut down the office while you incorporate the new technology into your workflow procedures? Will the transition be seamless or will the birth pains push up the overall budget to undesirable levels?
Also, you will have to determine if your software will be compatible with the other systems in place in your laboratory. It's not feasible to overhaul a perfectly working system just to accommodate the software.
Testing your new system
Software engineers typically run tests to determine the stability of the application before it is released commercially. The procedure is called user acceptance testing or field acceptance testing. In a laboratory setting, however, you need to run a factory acceptance test (FAT) to determine whether the technology that you just installed is working as it is supposed to.
The factory acceptance test runs the whole gamut from clinical trials, data storage, or bugs and glitches. You will be testing for the physical requirements of the software and how it performs in a real-world environment. The FAT is not limited to clinical laboratories, however, because other industries like oil and gas, manufacturing and information technology are also using this standard method for excellence.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8262884
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