My task group is currently looking into a software upgrade. We are using TurboChrome 4.1 at the moment (so in a lot of ways anything would be an improvement). We are not wanting instrument control, but are hoping to get a client sever set up versus a workstation set up and have narrowed our choices down to three products:

Dionex Chromeleon
Varian Galaxie
Waters Empower


We've also looked at Agilent Chemstation but found their quote to be way out of the ballpark of everything else we've seen. We're now onto the next stage of trying to get some feedback from current users of these softwares. If anyone has any experience (good, bad and ugly) with any of these packages please respond. I thank you for your time.

Tina,
We have just installed Empower os a client/server application (several months ago). So far so good. We switched from Millenium on workstations so there was no real adjustment. For new users there is a bit of a learning curve (I think steeper than the old AccessChrom) but the software is powerful and flexable and 21CFR11 capable. Installation was pretty seamless and getting it recognize the various instruments and such was easy. Other groups at my site are using TotalChrom and have the same feelings about it as they did TurboChrom (thumbs down!). At this point I have no problems recommending Empower for other users. Sorry if this rambled a bit and sounded like a sales pitch.

Regards,
Mark

I have been working for 2 years with the waters Millenium software, and currently we have switched to the Empower software.

It isn't the easiest software to learn, but its a powerfull tool, that allows you a lot of customizing for your application.

Updates can installed easy by yourself, and the Waters Service is very good.

Mark and Anon, thanks for your responses. I'm curious though, do either of you use a seperate LIMS or do you use Empower to do your LIMS fuctions? How well does Empower work with your LIMS?

What you mean with LIMS functions?

I don't export data to other software, if that is what you mean. I use Empower to control, use and back-up data.

That's exactly what I'm talking about. We are purchasing a new LIMS system and are wondering if there is really any benefit to having Empower since it basically works as it's own database and backup system.

Tina,

If that's what you are talking about, then you don't need a new LIMS system.
Back-up data, restore data, work with data, it all goes with Empower, you can link some chromatographic systems to each other, and then you can use the same database for all the systems.

Maybe you should contact your local Waters supplier, he can give you all the answers about what you need.

Regards

When chosing a replacement CDS, get your requirements laid out first and then shortlist your candidate software, as it seems you may have done. Next, approach the vendors reps and tell them what you are looking at installing. After they've ranted on about how good their product is (they all tell you their product can do everything you need, is easy to use, meets regulatory requirements and so on). Get a formal quote from them all - OK, it might expire before you get round to putting the order in, but you'll have something to compare them with. Ensure you get information on cost of future software support, once the "warranty" has expired. Get a demostration of the packages and then kick the rep out and ensure you get to use it with your samples, on your own, for at least a week FULL TIME. Hopefully after all this you can make a sound decision as to what suits YOUR requirements.

Since you are changing your LIMS too, you may want to include in your requirements for the CDS the need for a link between the two systems. Depending on how much calculation you are doing in one system or the other and therefore what information you need to transfer will affect this decision. For example, we only transfer the RF from the CDS into the LIMS, which does the rest of the calculation, since locking down the calculations to minimise the chance of an error in calculation is much easier in the LIMS than CDS.

Another question. Does anyone have any experience with EZChrom?

I too was a TC 4 user until I changed to EZChrom elite C/S. I am running a mix of 12 HP GC's 2 HP 1100 HPLC systems and several Waters instruments, although not controlling them.

I did not investigate Dionex Chromeleon, Galaxie is a new product and probably not yet ready to compete. I have used Waters Millennium for a short time and found it had a very long learning curve.

Elite has been fairly easy to use and has done everything we need. It also fully complies with 21 CFR Part 11.