Frequently asked questions about
Affinity™ for Affymetrix®
What is Affinity for Affymetrix?
Affinity for Affymetrix is a pre-configured, packaged Nautilus LIMS solution. This packaged solution offers Affymetrix labs an out-of-the-box solution complete with:- Preconfigured Nautilus LIMS software
- Integration with the Affymetrix GeneChip software and instrumentation
- Value-added functionality
- Delivered reports and query capabilities
- Implementation services, training and support
Who is LabCentrix?
LabCentrix is a consulting services firm that specializes in implementing LIMS solutions that fit the unique needs of a lab while drastically cutting the implementation time and cost. LabCentrix is also a certified Thermo Scientific Channel Partner and Authorized Reseller.back to top
What are the advantages for a laboratory if they license the Affinity package versus a custom implementation of the Nautilus LIMS software?
The Affinity for Affymetrix package offers several distinct advantages over implementing Nautilus as a custom implementation. This approach will speed the implementation and drastically reduce the overall cost of implementation. The Affinity implementation is designed to be deployed in as little as 2 weeks. It delivers Nautilus pre-configured based upon Affymetrix labs’ best practices and modeled after the Affymetrix recommended protocols, but also allows for a lab to make adjustments to accommodate their specific needs.back to top
Can you really implement the Affinity for Affymetrix package (including the Nautilus LIMS software) in just 2 weeks?
The Affinity for Affymetrix package is delivered with the pre-configured set-up of the Nautilus LIMS software which follows the workflows established by the recommended Affymetrix protocols. It also includes a delivered reports and query capabilities. This comprehensive packaged can be installed, and your users trained on how to use it, in as little as 2 weeks.back to top
Our lab has unique needs and workflows, how can a “packaged” solution work for us?
We have worked on LIMS implementations with numerous Affymetrix labs and have pulled from some of the best practices of these labs which we found delivered the greatest advances in lab productivity. We also found that most of these labs follow the protocol recommendations that are published by Affymetrix, so these protocols are also incorporated in the Affinity package. We do realize that there will still be some unique workflows/practices from lab to lab and have accommodated these requirements by allowing adjustments to the delivered configurations.back to top
What instrument integration is delivered with the Affinity package?
The Affinity for Affymetrix package is currently delivered with support for the following instruments:- Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100
- SpectraMax® M2 Microplate Reader
- Thermo Scientific NanoDrop™ 1000 Spectrophotometer (version 3.2.1)
- Affymetrix GeneChip Command Console® (AGCC) (version 1.0)
- Affymetrix GeneChip® Operating Software (GCOS) (version 1.4)
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Can we restrict the access our investigators have to sample and research data via the Web-based Dashboard?
You have complete control over who has access to all your data. Data security is established centrally in the Nautilus LIMS software and is configurable so that you can control whether an individual is authorized to access or update specific data throughout the entire system, including the Web-based Dashboard.back to top
We have an issue with entering large sample submissions, how does the Affinity for Affymetrix package help us with this?
The Affinity for Affymetrix package includes a “wizard” that walks your users through the steps necessary to submit their samples even allowing you to copy directly from an Excel spreadsheet to streamline large sample submissions. The wizard functionality keeps the process simple and helps ensure that the data required by the lab to process samples is entered correctly. We’ve made creating a sample submission easy by breaking out the submission information into logical steps. For example, an Excel-like grid is used when entering detailed sample information and the system validates all the data, clearly highlighting mistakes so your users can easily identify where they need to make corrections.back to top
Does the Affinity for Affymetrix package include Nautilus licenses?
Affinity for Affymetrix is an additional module for the Nautilus software which can be licensed as a package that includes Nautilus licenses or licensed as a separate module. The Affinity package is also an excellent solution for Affymetrix labs that have previously licensed Nautilus, but would benefit from the reduced implementation cost and time offered by he packaged solution.back to top
What services and training are included with the packaged solution?
The Affinity for Affymetrix package includes the services to install the pre-configured software and one to two day(s) of end-user training.back to top
What versions of the Affymetrix technology is the Affinity for Affymetrix package integrated with?
Affinity for Affymetrix is integrated with the GeneChip® Operating Software (GCOS) and the Affymetrix GeneChip Command Console® (AGCC) software versions.back to top
