Autoscribe, developer of the Matrix Gemini Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), is running a series of free seminars in Reading and Manchester in the UK during October 2012.

The seminars, entitled ‘Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELNs) and Configuration' and ‘How to buy a LIMS', will be of interest to those responsible for information management in all types of laboratories.

‘ELNs and Configuration' will be held on Tuesday 9^th October in Reading and Thursday 11^th October in Manchester. Guest speaker is John Trigg, founder and director of phaseFour Informatics, an independent consultancy service for R&D laboratories in all industry domains which focuses on Electronic Laboratory Notebooks, Laboratory Integration and Laboratory Knowledge Management. The seminar will introduce ELNs, before going on to consider the key business/user issues relating to ELNs. The seminar will also look at the differences between an ELN and a LIMS and how they can be addressed through a single, unified, user-configurable technology. The concepts of configuration will be considered in more detail, supported by some practical examples of configuration capabilities.

‘How to buy a LIMS' will be held on Monday 8^th October in Reading and Friday 12^th October in Manchester and will cover the complete process from the initial LIMS requirement assessment through gathering information on different systems to the best ways of actually making a selection. The differences between bespoke, configurable and customised software will be examined. Factors such as on-going support and maintenance, calculation of return on investment, risk management and proof of concept will also be considered. The concept of user-configuration of a LIMS will be explored in more depth, illustrated by some real-world case studies and solutions.

Although the seminars are free to attend, pre-registration is required. Visit  www.autoscribe.co.uk/events/workshops to register. Full programmes for each seminar can also be found at the same location.