Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster!

[Oliver Biehlmaier-2]

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Dear listers, dear OMX and DeltaVision users and experts,

As many of you know by now, Cytiva will discontinue the OMX and DeltaVision series (formerly GE, originally API). I attached the announcement from January 12th below…
As you can read in the information email it says “if implemented”.
For the OMX and DVs Cytiva informs that:
“…  • Application support and service for the discontinued microscopy systems would transition to Leica during 2021. Leica would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated).”
Please note that all this is written in ‘conditional' - it may happen, “if implemented”...

We just had our last regular preventive maintenance on our OMX done by one of the few always amazing field engineers for the system. As we learned, most of those outstanding technicians will and not switch to Leica, thus leaving us customers with no or very reduced and limited professional service for repair and maintenance for those high end systems.
So far, we have no clear answer from Cytiva or Leica who and how systems will be serviced, repaired in the future, and in our case how and by whom our OMX V4 could be moved into a new building this year.

The management of the transition from GE, Cytiva to Leica is a mess and leaves valuable customers (many core facilities) aloft - without commitments and ideas of how to deal with the systems in the future.
This situation is particularly problematic for those that just bought new OMX-SRs, but also for people running the OMX V4 and even some OMX V3 monsters spread over various continents.

It is clear that the way it is handled, the way we are treated as customers, will leave its mark. Traces that will have a lasting impact on my trust towards all other microscopy companies managed by Danaher.

What can we do here? How can we confront this problem as a community and be heard? Any suggestions?

All the best,
Oliver


Oliver Biehlmaier, PhD | Head of Imaging Core Facility  | Biozentrum, University of Basel | Klingelbergstrasse 50/70 | CH-4056 Basel
Phone: [phone] | Email: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]> | www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf<http://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf> | www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch<http://www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch/> | https://www.ls2.ch/sections/microscopy | @imcf_basel<https://twitter.com/imcf_basel> | Online office: https://wiki.biozentrum.unibas.ch/x/YFYfCw | Email to [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]> to reach all IMCF-members



Email by Cytiva on Jan 12th:


Dear Oliver Biehlmaier,



We are writing to you to let you know of a proposed portfolio change within the group of companies in the Danaher Life Sciences platform which includes Cytiva, Leica Microsystems and Molecular Devices.



The proposed move involves separating out Cytiva’s Cell Analysis portfolio. Specifically, IN Carta, cell image analysis software, would transition to Molecular Devices. Cell DIVE, a solution for studying disease biomarkers, would join Leica Microsystem’s portfolio. Cytiva’s Cell Analysis hardware platforms would be discontinued.



We believe these proposed moves would strengthen the offering for customers using IN Carta and Cell DIVE, as Leica and Molecular Devices have a broader commercial and service base to support customers.



If implemented:

  *   Application support and service for the discontinued microscopy systems would transition to Leica during 2021. Leica would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated).
  *   Application support and service for the discontinued high content analysis systems would transition to Molecular Devices during 2021. Molecular Devices would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated).

We would expect these portfolio changes to be effective by the end of Q2 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory reviews and appropriate consultation processes with associates and their representatives.



If you have any questions regarding this transition or any of the points mentioned above, please do not hesitate to contact us<https://mkto-email.gelifesciences.com/WV086OF5C0k2Uzq00c08k00> directly.



As a valued partner, we would like to reassure you that Cytiva, Leica Microsystems and Molecular Devices are committed to providing customers with continuity and the same high levels of service as previously.



Many thanks,
Sincerely,

[Zdenek Svindrych-2]

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Dear Oliver,
Done the other way 'round, it would be much worse: Danaher could kill Leica
Microsystems and let Cytiva handle the service of Leica microscopes....
But seriously, there are only two solutions. Either Leica Micro hires the
OMX service reps from GE, or..., well..., I can't see any other good
solution.
Good luck!
zd

On Fri, Jan 22, 2021 at 12:24 PM Oliver Biehlmaier <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Dear listers, dear OMX and DeltaVision users and experts,
>
> As many of you know by now, Cytiva will discontinue the OMX and
> DeltaVision series (formerly GE, originally API). I attached the
> announcement from January 12th below…
> As you can read in the information email it says “if implemented”.
> For the OMX and DVs Cytiva informs that:
> “…  • Application support and service for the discontinued microscopy
> systems would transition to Leica during 2021. Leica would continue to
> support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a
> different support end-date has been previously communicated).”
> Please note that all this is written in ‘conditional' - it may happen, “if
> implemented”...
>
> We just had our last regular preventive maintenance on our OMX done by one
> of the few always amazing field engineers for the system. As we learned,
> most of those outstanding technicians will and not switch to Leica, thus
> leaving us customers with no or very reduced and limited professional
> service for repair and maintenance for those high end systems.
> So far, we have no clear answer from Cytiva or Leica who and how systems
> will be serviced, repaired in the future, and in our case how and by whom
> our OMX V4 could be moved into a new building this year.
>
> The management of the transition from GE, Cytiva to Leica is a mess and
> leaves valuable customers (many core facilities) aloft - without
> commitments and ideas of how to deal with the systems in the future.
> This situation is particularly problematic for those that just bought new
> OMX-SRs, but also for people running the OMX V4 and even some OMX V3
> monsters spread over various continents.
>
> It is clear that the way it is handled, the way we are treated as
> customers, will leave its mark. Traces that will have a lasting impact on
> my trust towards all other microscopy companies managed by Danaher.
>
> What can we do here? How can we confront this problem as a community and
> be heard? Any suggestions?
>
> All the best,
> Oliver
>
>
> Oliver Biehlmaier, PhD | Head of Imaging Core Facility  | Biozentrum,
> University of Basel | Klingelbergstrasse 50/70 | CH-4056 Basel
> Phone: [phone] | Email: [hidden email]<mailto:
> [hidden email]> | www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf<
> http://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf> | www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch<
> http://www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch/> |
> https://www.ls2.ch/sections/microscopy | @imcf_basel<
> https://twitter.com/imcf_basel> | Online office:
> https://wiki.biozentrum.unibas.ch/x/YFYfCw | Email to [hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]> to reach all IMCF-members
>
>
>
> Email by Cytiva on Jan 12th:
>
>
> Dear Oliver Biehlmaier,
>
>
>
> We are writing to you to let you know of a proposed portfolio change
> within the group of companies in the Danaher Life Sciences platform which
> includes Cytiva, Leica Microsystems and Molecular Devices.
>
>
>
> The proposed move involves separating out Cytiva’s Cell Analysis
> portfolio. Specifically, IN Carta, cell image analysis software, would
> transition to Molecular Devices. Cell DIVE, a solution for studying disease
> biomarkers, would join Leica Microsystem’s portfolio. Cytiva’s Cell
> Analysis hardware platforms would be discontinued.
>
>
>
> We believe these proposed moves would strengthen the offering for
> customers using IN Carta and Cell DIVE, as Leica and Molecular Devices have
> a broader commercial and service base to support customers.
>
>
>
> If implemented:
>
>   *   Application support and service for the discontinued microscopy
> systems would transition to Leica during 2021. Leica would continue to
> support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a
> different support end-date has been previously communicated).
>   *   Application support and service for the discontinued high content
> analysis systems would transition to Molecular Devices during 2021.
> Molecular Devices would continue to support these systems until December
> 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been
> previously communicated).
>
> We would expect these portfolio changes to be effective by the end of Q2
> 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory reviews
> and appropriate consultation processes with associates and their
> representatives.
>
>
>
> If you have any questions regarding this transition or any of the points
> mentioned above, please do not hesitate to contact us<
> https://mkto-email.gelifesciences.com/WV086OF5C0k2Uzq00c08k00> directly.
>
>
>
> As a valued partner, we would like to reassure you that Cytiva, Leica
> Microsystems and Molecular Devices are committed to providing customers
> with continuity and the same high levels of service as previously.
>
>
>
> Many thanks,
> Sincerely,
>

--
--
Zdenek Svindrych, Ph.D.
Research Scientist - Microscopy Imaging Specialist
Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

[Arvydas Matiukas]

*****
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*****

Hello Oliver,

I see one more option - turn to the third party companies that service older no longer supported by manufacturer or even retired microscopes. I have had good experience with servicing 20-year old Deltavision and 15-year old LSM510. My understanding is that these companies have engineers that have previously working for the manufacturer and/or have done some reverse engineering. If there will be/are expected many unhappy customers then former Deltavision/OMX engineers will have even better motivation to establish a 3rd party service.

Best regards,
Arvydas
************************



Arvydas Matiukas, Ph.D.

Director of  Neuroscience  Microscopy Core

SUNY Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, NY 13210


________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on behalf of Zdenek Svindrych <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2021 12:41 PM
To: [hidden email] <[hidden email]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster!

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
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Post images on https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.imgur.com__;!!GobTDDpD7A!cAheazjaWbu_Tmf4mQFmJl5qvE9X6uBQbsrsjPBWYXYXy_KbH-k5VWeOgf0uZeedxQ$  and include the link in your posting.
*****

Dear Oliver,
Done the other way 'round, it would be much worse: Danaher could kill Leica
Microsystems and let Cytiva handle the service of Leica microscopes....
But seriously, there are only two solutions. Either Leica Micro hires the
OMX service reps from GE, or..., well..., I can't see any other good
solution.
Good luck!
zd

On Fri, Jan 22, 2021 at 12:24 PM Oliver Biehlmaier <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy__;!!GobTDDpD7A!cAheazjaWbu_Tmf4mQFmJl5qvE9X6uBQbsrsjPBWYXYXy_KbH-k5VWeOgf25BvgDmw$
> Post images on https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.imgur.com__;!!GobTDDpD7A!cAheazjaWbu_Tmf4mQFmJl5qvE9X6uBQbsrsjPBWYXYXy_KbH-k5VWeOgf0uZeedxQ$  and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Dear listers, dear OMX and DeltaVision users and experts,
>
> As many of you know by now, Cytiva will discontinue the OMX and
> DeltaVision series (formerly GE, originally API). I attached the
> announcement from January 12th below…
> As you can read in the information email it says “if implemented”.
> For the OMX and DVs Cytiva informs that:
> “…  • Application support and service for the discontinued microscopy
> systems would transition to Leica during 2021. Leica would continue to
> support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a
> different support end-date has been previously communicated).”
> Please note that all this is written in ‘conditional' - it may happen, “if
> implemented”...
>
> We just had our last regular preventive maintenance on our OMX done by one
> of the few always amazing field engineers for the system. As we learned,
> most of those outstanding technicians will and not switch to Leica, thus
> leaving us customers with no or very reduced and limited professional
> service for repair and maintenance for those high end systems.
> So far, we have no clear answer from Cytiva or Leica who and how systems
> will be serviced, repaired in the future, and in our case how and by whom
> our OMX V4 could be moved into a new building this year.
>
> The management of the transition from GE, Cytiva to Leica is a mess and
> leaves valuable customers (many core facilities) aloft - without
> commitments and ideas of how to deal with the systems in the future.
> This situation is particularly problematic for those that just bought new
> OMX-SRs, but also for people running the OMX V4 and even some OMX V3
> monsters spread over various continents.
>
> It is clear that the way it is handled, the way we are treated as
> customers, will leave its mark. Traces that will have a lasting impact on
> my trust towards all other microscopy companies managed by Danaher.
>
> What can we do here? How can we confront this problem as a community and
> be heard? Any suggestions?
>
> All the best,
> Oliver
>
>
> Oliver Biehlmaier, PhD | Head of Imaging Core Facility  | Biozentrum,
> University of Basel | Klingelbergstrasse 50/70 | CH-4056 Basel
> Phone: [phone] | Email: [hidden email]<mailto:
> [hidden email]> | https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf__;!!GobTDDpD7A!cAheazjaWbu_Tmf4mQFmJl5qvE9X6uBQbsrsjPBWYXYXy_KbH-k5VWeOgf3JKYvEqw$ <
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf__;!!GobTDDpD7A!cAheazjaWbu_Tmf4mQFmJl5qvE9X6uBQbsrsjPBWYXYXy_KbH-k5VWeOgf3JKYvEqw$ > | https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch__;!!GobTDDpD7A!cAheazjaWbu_Tmf4mQFmJl5qvE9X6uBQbsrsjPBWYXYXy_KbH-k5VWeOgf3IijIG-A$ <
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch/__;!!GobTDDpD7A!cAheazjaWbu_Tmf4mQFmJl5qvE9X6uBQbsrsjPBWYXYXy_KbH-k5VWeOgf3g8f9AvA$ > |
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ls2.ch/sections/microscopy__;!!GobTDDpD7A!cAheazjaWbu_Tmf4mQFmJl5qvE9X6uBQbsrsjPBWYXYXy_KbH-k5VWeOgf1aKozCww$  | @imcf_basel<
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://twitter.com/imcf_basel__;!!GobTDDpD7A!cAheazjaWbu_Tmf4mQFmJl5qvE9X6uBQbsrsjPBWYXYXy_KbH-k5VWeOgf16lXHt5A$ > | Online office:
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://wiki.biozentrum.unibas.ch/x/YFYfCw__;!!GobTDDpD7A!cAheazjaWbu_Tmf4mQFmJl5qvE9X6uBQbsrsjPBWYXYXy_KbH-k5VWeOgf3bKEjztQ$  | Email to [hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]> to reach all IMCF-members
>
>
>
> Email by Cytiva on Jan 12th:
>
>
> Dear Oliver Biehlmaier,
>
>
>
> We are writing to you to let you know of a proposed portfolio change
> within the group of companies in the Danaher Life Sciences platform which
> includes Cytiva, Leica Microsystems and Molecular Devices.
>
>
>
> The proposed move involves separating out Cytiva’s Cell Analysis
> portfolio. Specifically, IN Carta, cell image analysis software, would
> transition to Molecular Devices. Cell DIVE, a solution for studying disease
> biomarkers, would join Leica Microsystem’s portfolio. Cytiva’s Cell
> Analysis hardware platforms would be discontinued.
>
>
>
> We believe these proposed moves would strengthen the offering for
> customers using IN Carta and Cell DIVE, as Leica and Molecular Devices have
> a broader commercial and service base to support customers.
>
>
>
> If implemented:
>
>   *   Application support and service for the discontinued microscopy
> systems would transition to Leica during 2021. Leica would continue to
> support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a
> different support end-date has been previously communicated).
>   *   Application support and service for the discontinued high content
> analysis systems would transition to Molecular Devices during 2021.
> Molecular Devices would continue to support these systems until December
> 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been
> previously communicated).
>
> We would expect these portfolio changes to be effective by the end of Q2
> 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory reviews
> and appropriate consultation processes with associates and their
> representatives.
>
>
>
> If you have any questions regarding this transition or any of the points
> mentioned above, please do not hesitate to contact us<
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://mkto-email.gelifesciences.com/WV086OF5C0k2Uzq00c08k00__;!!GobTDDpD7A!cAheazjaWbu_Tmf4mQFmJl5qvE9X6uBQbsrsjPBWYXYXy_KbH-k5VWeOgf0NRC1uew$ > directly.
>
>
>
> As a valued partner, we would like to reassure you that Cytiva, Leica
> Microsystems and Molecular Devices are committed to providing customers
> with continuity and the same high levels of service as previously.
>
>
>
> Many thanks,
> Sincerely,
>

--
--
Zdenek Svindrych, Ph.D.
Research Scientist - Microscopy Imaging Specialist
Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

[Alison J. North-2]

*****
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*****

Hi Oliver,

Thank you for bringing this very important item to the community level.  We too are distraught to hear of the demise of these systems, having had two trusty DeltaVisions in my facility for many years (one DV has been here for only 3 months less than me!) as well as our OMX.

I agree with everything you wrote here.  I sincerely hope that Danaher will not underestimate the level of expertise of the service engineers for the OMX, as GE did when they first bought out Applied Precision.  I also hope that Danaher realizes how passionate many of us in the imaging community are about these particular instruments.  I have heard many people over the years say "The DeltaVision?  Oh that's just another deconvolution package, right?".  NO!!!  These microscopes are unique and those of us who own one will not be appeased by other systems out there on the market that are supposedly equivalent.  So if the decision to discontinue them is not yet a done deal, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to engage with you and others in discussions with Danaher.

However, since it seems likely that it WILL happen, I have already contacted Cytiva to request more definite information in writing concerning the exact end-date for support for each of these microscopes.  The line " Leica would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated)" is ridiculously woolly.  If we are to renew expensive service contracts, we need to be sure that we won't suddenly be told that the end-date for that system is actually only 9 months away and that surely somebody had mentioned that to us previously?  At the moment I have no contacts at Danaher, so I have only been able to request this information from Cytiva - and from the very people who are losing their jobs.  They are all wonderful people - I truly hope that Danaher/Leica will pick up as many of them as possible, it will be their loss if they don't.

And finally, regarding the service engineers, I'm with Arvydas on this one - I already had the same idea myself.  Please guys, set up your own company and keep us going - we need you!!!

Happy to work with you in any way I can Oli to try to address this impending catastrophe.
All the best,
Alison



________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on behalf of Oliver Biehlmaier <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2021 12:24 PM
To: [hidden email] <[hidden email]>
Subject: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster!

*****
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*****

Dear listers, dear OMX and DeltaVision users and experts,

As many of you know by now, Cytiva will discontinue the OMX and DeltaVision series (formerly GE, originally API). I attached the announcement from January 12th below…
As you can read in the information email it says “if implemented”.
For the OMX and DVs Cytiva informs that:
“…  • Application support and service for the discontinued microscopy systems would transition to Leica during 2021. Leica would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated).”
Please note that all this is written in ‘conditional' - it may happen, “if implemented”...

We just had our last regular preventive maintenance on our OMX done by one of the few always amazing field engineers for the system. As we learned, most of those outstanding technicians will and not switch to Leica, thus leaving us customers with no or very reduced and limited professional service for repair and maintenance for those high end systems.
So far, we have no clear answer from Cytiva or Leica who and how systems will be serviced, repaired in the future, and in our case how and by whom our OMX V4 could be moved into a new building this year.

The management of the transition from GE, Cytiva to Leica is a mess and leaves valuable customers (many core facilities) aloft - without commitments and ideas of how to deal with the systems in the future.
This situation is particularly problematic for those that just bought new OMX-SRs, but also for people running the OMX V4 and even some OMX V3 monsters spread over various continents.

It is clear that the way it is handled, the way we are treated as customers, will leave its mark. Traces that will have a lasting impact on my trust towards all other microscopy companies managed by Danaher.

What can we do here? How can we confront this problem as a community and be heard? Any suggestions?

All the best,
Oliver


Oliver Biehlmaier, PhD | Head of Imaging Core Facility  | Biozentrum, University of Basel | Klingelbergstrasse 50/70 | CH-4056 Basel
Phone: [phone] | Email: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]> | www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.biozentrum.unibas.ch_imcf&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=MC0XH3nTAv9ss6flYZYigZPuUaM-2SK9R4h50QCnljQ&e=<http://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.biozentrum.unibas.ch_imcf&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=MC0XH3nTAv9ss6flYZYigZPuUaM-2SK9R4h50QCnljQ&e=> > | www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch_&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=Tg40pfFvkRqubPKVQyWFUtLjsDMKDfdXbevZaLknOp4&e=<http://www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch_&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=Tg40pfFvkRqubPKVQyWFUtLjsDMKDfdXbevZaLknOp4&e=> > | https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ls2.ch_sections_microscopy&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=E-sjJazIv5PgedH3jcsUA-0NpPXHGvzjuhUBMRZqlas&e=  | @imcf_basel<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_imcf-5Fbasel&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=K0js8TwXdNeEcGbCmLXLr5Xq2LW8G-KSRLaMLH6qu9g&e= > | Online office: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__wiki.biozentrum.unibas.ch_x_YFYfCw&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=uaMeDMoPWan3H1kofCfrcbvOjwfgsS1UTkjJbH6t2FU&e=  | Email to [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]> to reach all IMCF-members



Email by Cytiva on Jan 12th:


Dear Oliver Biehlmaier,



We are writing to you to let you know of a proposed portfolio change within the group of companies in the Danaher Life Sciences platform which includes Cytiva, Leica Microsystems and Molecular Devices.



The proposed move involves separating out Cytiva’s Cell Analysis portfolio. Specifically, IN Carta, cell image analysis software, would transition to Molecular Devices. Cell DIVE, a solution for studying disease biomarkers, would join Leica Microsystem’s portfolio. Cytiva’s Cell Analysis hardware platforms would be discontinued.



We believe these proposed moves would strengthen the offering for customers using IN Carta and Cell DIVE, as Leica and Molecular Devices have a broader commercial and service base to support customers.



If implemented:

  *   Application support and service for the discontinued microscopy systems would transition to Leica during 2021. Leica would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated).
  *   Application support and service for the discontinued high content analysis systems would transition to Molecular Devices during 2021. Molecular Devices would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated).

We would expect these portfolio changes to be effective by the end of Q2 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory reviews and appropriate consultation processes with associates and their representatives.



If you have any questions regarding this transition or any of the points mentioned above, please do not hesitate to contact us<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__mkto-2Demail.gelifesciences.com_WV086OF5C0k2Uzq00c08k00&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=_7VQxqfHvULOlNMv_qFJpOCIwjIhtABQ3Gm47wuKhQY&e= > directly.



As a valued partner, we would like to reassure you that Cytiva, Leica Microsystems and Molecular Devices are committed to providing customers with continuity and the same high levels of service as previously.



Many thanks,
Sincerely,

[Armstrong, Brian]

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Hi All, on a related topic, Coherent was recently purchased by Lumentum Holdings a large photonics player. We can only hope that the new board of directors sees the value of supporting research which is undoubtedly a small portion of their business. I for one have always appreciated Coherent's dedication to the service and support of their systems.

Cheers,  

Brian Armstrong PhD
Associate Research Professor
Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases
Director, Light Microscopy Core
Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope



-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Alison J. North
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2021 3:22 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster!

[Attention: This email came from an external source. Do not open attachments or click on links from unknown senders or unexpected emails.]

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Hi Oliver,

Thank you for bringing this very important item to the community level.  We too are distraught to hear of the demise of these systems, having had two trusty DeltaVisions in my facility for many years (one DV has been here for only 3 months less than me!) as well as our OMX.

I agree with everything you wrote here.  I sincerely hope that Danaher will not underestimate the level of expertise of the service engineers for the OMX, as GE did when they first bought out Applied Precision.  I also hope that Danaher realizes how passionate many of us in the imaging community are about these particular instruments.  I have heard many people over the years say "The DeltaVision?  Oh that's just another deconvolution package, right?".  NO!!!  These microscopes are unique and those of us who own one will not be appeased by other systems out there on the market that are supposedly equivalent.  So if the decision to discontinue them is not yet a done deal, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to engage with you and others in discussions with Danaher.

However, since it seems likely that it WILL happen, I have already contacted Cytiva to request more definite information in writing concerning the exact end-date for support for each of these microscopes.  The line " Leica would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated)" is ridiculously woolly.  If we are to renew expensive service contracts, we need to be sure that we won't suddenly be told that the end-date for that system is actually only 9 months away and that surely somebody had mentioned that to us previously?  At the moment I have no contacts at Danaher, so I have only been able to request this information from Cytiva - and from the very people who are losing their jobs.  They are all wonderful people - I truly hope that Danaher/Leica will pick up as many of them as possible, it will be their loss if they don't.

And finally, regarding the service engineers, I'm with Arvydas on this one - I already had the same idea myself.  Please guys, set up your own company and keep us going - we need you!!!

Happy to work with you in any way I can Oli to try to address this impending catastrophe.
All the best,
Alison



________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on behalf of Oliver Biehlmaier <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2021 12:24 PM
To: [hidden email] <[hidden email]>
Subject: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster!

*****
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Dear listers, dear OMX and DeltaVision users and experts,

As many of you know by now, Cytiva will discontinue the OMX and DeltaVision series (formerly GE, originally API). I attached the announcement from January 12th below... As you can read in the information email it says "if implemented".
For the OMX and DVs Cytiva informs that:
"...  * Application support and service for the discontinued microscopy systems would transition to Leica during 2021. Leica would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated)."
Please note that all this is written in 'conditional' - it may happen, "if implemented"...

We just had our last regular preventive maintenance on our OMX done by one of the few always amazing field engineers for the system. As we learned, most of those outstanding technicians will and not switch to Leica, thus leaving us customers with no or very reduced and limited professional service for repair and maintenance for those high end systems.
So far, we have no clear answer from Cytiva or Leica who and how systems will be serviced, repaired in the future, and in our case how and by whom our OMX V4 could be moved into a new building this year.

The management of the transition from GE, Cytiva to Leica is a mess and leaves valuable customers (many core facilities) aloft - without commitments and ideas of how to deal with the systems in the future.
This situation is particularly problematic for those that just bought new OMX-SRs, but also for people running the OMX V4 and even some OMX V3 monsters spread over various continents.

It is clear that the way it is handled, the way we are treated as customers, will leave its mark. Traces that will have a lasting impact on my trust towards all other microscopy companies managed by Danaher.

What can we do here? How can we confront this problem as a community and be heard? Any suggestions?

All the best,
Oliver


Oliver Biehlmaier, PhD | Head of Imaging Core Facility  | Biozentrum, University of Basel | Klingelbergstrasse 50/70 | CH-4056 Basel
Phone: [phone] | Email: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]> | https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf__;!!Fou38LsQmgU!6Wuna9xD3pFpqzi3-T4llIOhIADyVphovO23jcIOj6jCz7z6HOFK9KGTe-k0pZE$ <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.biozentrum.unibas.ch_imcf&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=MC0XH3nTAv9ss6flYZYigZPuUaM-2SK9R4h50QCnljQ&e=<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf__;!!Fou38LsQmgU!6Wuna9xD3pFpqzi3-T4llIOhIADyVphovO23jcIOj6jCz7z6HOFK9KGTe-k0pZE$ <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.biozentrum.unibas.ch_imcf&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=MC0XH3nTAv9ss6flYZYigZPuUaM-2SK9R4h50QCnljQ&e=> > | https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch__;!!Fou38LsQmgU!6Wuna9xD3pFpqzi3-T4llIOhIADyVphovO23jcIOj6jCz7z6HOFK9KGTszSn-PA$ <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch_&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=Tg40pfFvkRqubPKVQyWFUtLjsDMKDfdXbevZaLknOp4&e=<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch__;!!Fou38LsQmgU!6Wuna9xD3pFpqzi3-T4llIOhIADyVphovO23jcIOj6jCz7z6HOFK9KGTszSn-PA$ <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch_&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=Tg40pfFvkRqubPKVQyWFUtLjsDMKDfdXbevZaLknOp4&e=> > | https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ls2.ch_sections_microscopy&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=E-sjJazIv5PgedH3jcsUA-0NpPXHGvzjuhUBMRZqlas&e=  | @imcf_basel<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_imcf-5Fbasel&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=K0js8TwXdNeEcGbCmLXLr5Xq2LW8G-KSRLaMLH6qu9g&e= > | Online office: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__wiki.biozentrum.unibas.ch_x_YFYfCw&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=uaMeDMoPWan3H1kofCfrcbvOjwfgsS1UTkjJbH6t2FU&e=  | Email to [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]> to reach all IMCF-members



Email by Cytiva on Jan 12th:


Dear Oliver Biehlmaier,



We are writing to you to let you know of a proposed portfolio change within the group of companies in the Danaher Life Sciences platform which includes Cytiva, Leica Microsystems and Molecular Devices.



The proposed move involves separating out Cytiva's Cell Analysis portfolio. Specifically, IN Carta, cell image analysis software, would transition to Molecular Devices. Cell DIVE, a solution for studying disease biomarkers, would join Leica Microsystem's portfolio. Cytiva's Cell Analysis hardware platforms would be discontinued.



We believe these proposed moves would strengthen the offering for customers using IN Carta and Cell DIVE, as Leica and Molecular Devices have a broader commercial and service base to support customers.



If implemented:

  *   Application support and service for the discontinued microscopy systems would transition to Leica during 2021. Leica would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated).
  *   Application support and service for the discontinued high content analysis systems would transition to Molecular Devices during 2021. Molecular Devices would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated).

We would expect these portfolio changes to be effective by the end of Q2 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory reviews and appropriate consultation processes with associates and their representatives.



If you have any questions regarding this transition or any of the points mentioned above, please do not hesitate to contact us<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__mkto-2Demail.gelifesciences.com_WV086OF5C0k2Uzq00c08k00&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=_7VQxqfHvULOlNMv_qFJpOCIwjIhtABQ3Gm47wuKhQY&e= > directly.



As a valued partner, we would like to reassure you that Cytiva, Leica Microsystems and Molecular Devices are committed to providing customers with continuity and the same high levels of service as previously.



Many thanks,
Sincerely,

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[Oliver Biehlmaier-2]

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Hi Alison,

Thank you for the prompt feedback.
Your email exactly mirrors my thoughts on the situation and I fully support you and Arvydas in the suggestion regarding the service engineers.

All the best,
Oliver



Oliver Biehlmaier, PhD | Head of Imaging Core Facility  | Biozentrum, University of Basel | Klingelbergstrasse 50/70 | CH-4056 Basel
Phone: [phone] | Email: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]> | www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf<http://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf> | www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch<http://www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch/> | https://www.ls2.ch/sections/microscopy | @imcf_basel<https://twitter.com/imcf_basel> | Online office: https://wiki.biozentrum.unibas.ch/x/YFYfCw | Email to [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]> to reach all IMCF-members



On 23 Jan 2021, at 00:22, Alison J. North <[hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:

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Hi Oliver,

Thank you for bringing this very important item to the community level.  We too are distraught to hear of the demise of these systems, having had two trusty DeltaVisions in my facility for many years (one DV has been here for only 3 months less than me!) as well as our OMX.

I agree with everything you wrote here.  I sincerely hope that Danaher will not underestimate the level of expertise of the service engineers for the OMX, as GE did when they first bought out Applied Precision.  I also hope that Danaher realizes how passionate many of us in the imaging community are about these particular instruments.  I have heard many people over the years say "The DeltaVision?  Oh that's just another deconvolution package, right?".  NO!!!  These microscopes are unique and those of us who own one will not be appeased by other systems out there on the market that are supposedly equivalent.  So if the decision to discontinue them is not yet a done deal, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to engage with you and others in discussions with Danaher.

However, since it seems likely that it WILL happen, I have already contacted Cytiva to request more definite information in writing concerning the exact end-date for support for each of these microscopes.  The line " Leica would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated)" is ridiculously woolly.  If we are to renew expensive service contracts, we need to be sure that we won't suddenly be told that the end-date for that system is actually only 9 months away and that surely somebody had mentioned that to us previously?  At the moment I have no contacts at Danaher, so I have only been able to request this information from Cytiva - and from the very people who are losing their jobs.  They are all wonderful people - I truly hope that Danaher/Leica will pick up as many of them as possible, it will be their loss if they don't.

And finally, regarding the service engineers, I'm with Arvydas on this one - I already had the same idea myself.  Please guys, set up your own company and keep us going - we need you!!!

Happy to work with you in any way I can Oli to try to address this impending catastrophe.
All the best,
Alison



________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>> on behalf of Oliver Biehlmaier <[hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>>
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2021 12:24 PM
To: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]> <[hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>>
Subject: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster!

*****
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*****

Dear listers, dear OMX and DeltaVision users and experts,

As many of you know by now, Cytiva will discontinue the OMX and DeltaVision series (formerly GE, originally API). I attached the announcement from January 12th below…
As you can read in the information email it says “if implemented”.
For the OMX and DVs Cytiva informs that:
“…  • Application support and service for the discontinued microscopy systems would transition to Leica during 2021. Leica would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated).”
Please note that all this is written in ‘conditional' - it may happen, “if implemented”...

We just had our last regular preventive maintenance on our OMX done by one of the few always amazing field engineers for the system. As we learned, most of those outstanding technicians will and not switch to Leica, thus leaving us customers with no or very reduced and limited professional service for repair and maintenance for those high end systems.
So far, we have no clear answer from Cytiva or Leica who and how systems will be serviced, repaired in the future, and in our case how and by whom our OMX V4 could be moved into a new building this year.

The management of the transition from GE, Cytiva to Leica is a mess and leaves valuable customers (many core facilities) aloft - without commitments and ideas of how to deal with the systems in the future.
This situation is particularly problematic for those that just bought new OMX-SRs, but also for people running the OMX V4 and even some OMX V3 monsters spread over various continents.

It is clear that the way it is handled, the way we are treated as customers, will leave its mark. Traces that will have a lasting impact on my trust towards all other microscopy companies managed by Danaher.

What can we do here? How can we confront this problem as a community and be heard? Any suggestions?

All the best,
Oliver


Oliver Biehlmaier, PhD | Head of Imaging Core Facility  | Biozentrum, University of Basel | Klingelbergstrasse 50/70 | CH-4056 Basel
Phone: [phone] | Email: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]><mailto:[hidden email]> | www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf<http://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf><https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.biozentrum.unibas.ch_imcf&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=MC0XH3nTAv9ss6flYZYigZPuUaM-2SK9R4h50QCnljQ&e=<http://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.biozentrum.unibas.ch_imcf&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=MC0XH3nTAv9ss6flYZYigZPuUaM-2SK9R4h50QCnljQ&e=><https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.biozentrum.unibas.ch_imcf&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=MC0XH3nTAv9ss6flYZYigZPuUaM-2SK9R4h50QCnljQ&e=%3Chttp://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/imcf%3Chttps://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.biozentrum.unibas.ch_imcf&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=MC0XH3nTAv9ss6flYZYigZPuUaM-2SK9R4h50QCnljQ&e=%3E> > | www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch<http://www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch/><https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch_&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=Tg40pfFvkRqubPKVQyWFUtLjsDMKDfdXbevZaLknOp4&e=<http://www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch_&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=Tg40pfFvkRqubPKVQyWFUtLjsDMKDfdXbevZaLknOp4&e=><https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch_&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=Tg40pfFvkRqubPKVQyWFUtLjsDMKDfdXbevZaLknOp4&e=%3Chttp://www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch%3Chttps://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.microscopynetwork.unibas.ch_&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=Tg40pfFvkRqubPKVQyWFUtLjsDMKDfdXbevZaLknOp4&e=%3E> > | https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ls2.ch_sections_microscopy&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=E-sjJazIv5PgedH3jcsUA-0NpPXHGvzjuhUBMRZqlas&e=  | @imcf_basel<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_imcf-5Fbasel&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=K0js8TwXdNeEcGbCmLXLr5Xq2LW8G-KSRLaMLH6qu9g&e=> | Online office: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__wiki.biozentrum.unibas.ch_x_YFYfCw&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=uaMeDMoPWan3H1kofCfrcbvOjwfgsS1UTkjJbH6t2FU&e=  | Email to [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]><mailto:[hidden email]> to reach all IMCF-members



Email by Cytiva on Jan 12th:


Dear Oliver Biehlmaier,



We are writing to you to let you know of a proposed portfolio change within the group of companies in the Danaher Life Sciences platform which includes Cytiva, Leica Microsystems and Molecular Devices.



The proposed move involves separating out Cytiva’s Cell Analysis portfolio. Specifically, IN Carta, cell image analysis software, would transition to Molecular Devices. Cell DIVE, a solution for studying disease biomarkers, would join Leica Microsystem’s portfolio. Cytiva’s Cell Analysis hardware platforms would be discontinued.



We believe these proposed moves would strengthen the offering for customers using IN Carta and Cell DIVE, as Leica and Molecular Devices have a broader commercial and service base to support customers.



If implemented:

 *   Application support and service for the discontinued microscopy systems would transition to Leica during 2021. Leica would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated).
 *   Application support and service for the discontinued high content analysis systems would transition to Molecular Devices during 2021. Molecular Devices would continue to support these systems until December 31, 2025 (or earlier in cases where a different support end-date has been previously communicated).

We would expect these portfolio changes to be effective by the end of Q2 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory reviews and appropriate consultation processes with associates and their representatives.



If you have any questions regarding this transition or any of the points mentioned above, please do not hesitate to contact us<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__mkto-2Demail.gelifesciences.com_WV086OF5C0k2Uzq00c08k00&d=DwIGaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=0hSZ3TiBBPJjOR1DH7jAU0QeKw__GiSoWYVFNnWoC-I&s=_7VQxqfHvULOlNMv_qFJpOCIwjIhtABQ3Gm47wuKhQY&e= > directly.



As a valued partner, we would like to reassure you that Cytiva, Leica Microsystems and Molecular Devices are committed to providing customers with continuity and the same high levels of service as previously.



Many thanks,
Sincerely,

[Kay Schink]

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*****

​Dear Oliver, Dear other OMX and DV users!

Thanks a lot for this important information! It is indeed very worrying news, and I am fully in line with you and Alison. We have a V4 and a Deltavision, and I would not trade either of them for any of the _supposedly_ superior systems that were mentioned in the orignal mail from Cytiva.
A move like this would surely alienate a huge number of core facilities, and for our facility, I don't see us buying any Leica or Molecular Devices instruments instead of a Deltavision system - they are not remotely in the same league (and annoying customers will make this even less likely!). We were just discussing that we would need a new Deltavision, and I can guarantee that the alternative will not come from any Cytiva-based company.

As we already had problems with Cytiva keeping their promised maintenances  - this is not a complaint about their service personnel (who are all fantastic) but about all the company structures in between -  we would be happy to outsource this to a separate and reliable company run by the fantastic service team (Applied Precision 2.0 anyone ;-) -)

I am fully behind putting some pressure on Cytiva and will be happy to work with the community to avoid this impending disaster.

Best wishes,

Kay


_______________________________________________
Kay Oliver Schink
Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology
Institute for Cancer research
The Norwegian Radium Hospital
Ullernchausseen 70 - Montebello
0379 Oslo
Norway
Tel: [phone]
e-mail: [hidden email]
Website: http://www.ous-research.no/schink/

[George McNamara]

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*****

Hi Kay,

With respect to "Leica ... instruments instead of a Deltavision system -
they are not remotely in the same league"

Have you ever used or managed a Leica SP5, SP8, STELLARIS 5 or STELLARIS
8 confocal microscope (STED optional on all but STE5)?  I've acquired,
and especially helped our user base, acquire, lots of very nice images
on our SP8, and previously on other Leica scopes.

My limited experience with DeltaVision deconvolution systems (several
years ago): horrible user interface, nice images for
widefield-->deconvolution, ok price point.

My experience with OMX SIM (including 2 trips to API in Seattle for
extended demo time for data for two NIH S10 shared instrumentation
grants): same horrible user interface (last used in 2015 at MDACC in
Houston), SIM extremely finicky wrt refractive index mismatch, including
across a single coverglass. No "wizard" (or 'devil', given API/GE
anti-user interface) to walk (crawl) a user through which bottle from
the very large set of Cargille oil bottles to use.

While I love "catastrophic" in the subject line of this thread, the
announcement and angst in various posts reminds me of Zeiss's
acquisition of the Bio-Rad multiphoton microscope product line and
customer list. Zeiss quickly ditched the Bio-Rad products, some
employees left, other employees stayed with Zeiss. There were no serious
calls to boycott Zeiss. The microscope world did not end.

Happy 2021,

George
JHU SOM, Baltimore, MD


Disclosures:

* I hosted for several days the API/GE bus with DeltaVision and InCell
HCS, when it was on tour, several years ago (not that long after GE
acquired API). Good time, but I was not allowed to drive the bus (of
course I did not have that class driver's license anyway).

Leica stuff
* I manage an SP8,
http://confocal.jhu.edu/current-equipment/leica-sp8-confocal-microscope
* I previously managed an SP1 and two SP5s, a also a Leica widefield
inverted scope ... and my PhD images were done on Leitz Ortholux and
Orthoplan microscopes.
* I've hosted several Leica confocal demonstrations, workshops, seminars
since moving to JHU, including a STELLARIS 5 demo (the S detectors count
photons faster and higher QE than our 2nd gen HyDs ... and S have a big
dynamic range, not need protection from high light level ... and
STELLARIS can have 5 internal, and more out of X1 port).
* We may host a STELLARIS 8 (WLL&AOBS, hopefully 5 S detectors, FLIM,
LIGHTNING) demo in Spring 2021 (if we are 'go' for an S10 proposal and
if Leica can send us an "8" in time -- there are limits to the number of
demo machines they can have in the field).
* I have made many complaints/suggestions to Leica about LAS X, but it
is far superior to the OMX software in 2015.

Mol Dev related disclosures:
* I own a personal MetaMorph license (from an 'amazing image' contest
Mol Dev did many years ago ... several of my UMiami users also won
licenses at the time).
* I currently manage several MetaMorph licenses.
* I was the applications and technical support for MetaMorph (and
MetaFluor) 1992-1997, including when UIC (pre-Mol Dev acquisition, which
was pre-Danaher acquisition) passed the one thousand customer mark (with
respect to software, probably more than 50% on light microscope
systems). I am guessing Mol Dev has well over 1000 microscopes + HCS
functioning systems out there now. How many DeltaVision, OMX and HCS
systems are out there?


On 1/23/2021 6:01 PM, Kay Schink wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> ​Dear Oliver, Dear other OMX and DV users!
>
> Thanks a lot for this important information! It is indeed very worrying news, and I am fully in line with you and Alison. We have a V4 and a Deltavision, and I would not trade either of them for any of the _supposedly_ superior systems that were mentioned in the orignal mail from Cytiva.
> A move like this would surely alienate a huge number of core facilities, and for our facility, I don't see us buying any Leica or Molecular Devices instruments instead of a Deltavision system - they are not remotely in the same league (and annoying customers will make this even less likely!). We were just discussing that we would need a new Deltavision, and I can guarantee that the alternative will not come from any Cytiva-based company.
>
> As we already had problems with Cytiva keeping their promised maintenances  - this is not a complaint about their service personnel (who are all fantastic) but about all the company structures in between -  we would be happy to outsource this to a separate and reliable company run by the fantastic service team (Applied Precision 2.0 anyone ;-) -)
>
> I am fully behind putting some pressure on Cytiva and will be happy to work with the community to avoid this impending disaster.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Kay
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Kay Oliver Schink
> Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology
> Institute for Cancer research
> The Norwegian Radium Hospital
> Ullernchausseen 70 - Montebello
> 0379 Oslo
> Norway
> Tel: [phone]
> e-mail: [hidden email]
> Website: http://www.ous-research.no/schink/

[Kay Schink]

*****
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*****

Hi George!

Thank you for your comments - I should qualify my points a bit.

I don't doubt that Leica makes nice point scanning confocals - indeed, I learned confocal microscopy on an SP2 a long time ago. I also know their other offerings,  although we don't use them in our facility (based on the local support in Norway, we prefer other suppliers), and in their niche, they are very nice. But I think the systems you mentioned have very different use cases, and I do not think that Leica has a system that easily fills the niche of the OMX or the DV. For example, I am not convinced that the Thunder system is superior to the current generation DV.

I think that Deltavision and OMX fill a very specific niche that few other systems occupy, especially in terms of photo-toxicity and for long-term imaging. Both the OMX and the DV are very capable widefield systems, and for low light live cell work, we prefer them over our spinning disk or airy scan systems.  Also, I like their sturdiness - our DV is from 2011 and is the one system with virtually no downtime, while running 24/7. In addition, the OMX SIM implementation is extremely robust and gives reliable results. and hits a sweet spot between resolution, speed and phototoxicity.

As for the software that you do not like, my impression is completely different than yours - I think it is one of the most sane and thought-through systems I have ever used. One does not really need a wizard because experiments can be set up in 1 min max, even by novice users.
In combination with the off-line processing using the queue manager, we find it a very smooth experience. Indeed, our users prefer the OMX user interface over our Zeiss and Nikon scopes and regularly complain about the other ones. The search for the right oil is also not really an issue - we basically end up using  the same two oils (one for SIM, one for live cell work at 37°) in 99% of all cases. It is mostly a case of careful sample prep, and that is equally important for other systems.

I hope this clarifies my point.

Best wishes

Kay

[Alison J. North-2]

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*****

Dear George,

First of all, I agree 100% with what Kay wrote.  I HAVE managed a Leica SP8 and it is an absolutely fantastic confocal system.  But it's not a widefield deconvolution system and I would like to see anybody manage to image the tiny flagella of marine bacteria on it in darkfield mode at the required frame rate of hundreds of frames per second, as I have done on my DV. which is an incredibly flexible instrument.  You are comparing apples with oranges.  Also, the DV software is everybody's favourite in my facility and always has been - super intuitive, super easy. And yes, the OMX does require you to be careful with sample prep - but it's not exactly rocket science, as long as you use high precision coverslips and mount and seal the coverslips in a standardized manner, then, as Kay said, you can immediately predict which refractive index oil you will need for a given sample and application.

We all have our favourite systems, and it's totally understandable that you might not like the DV and OMX as much as those of us who chose to buy them. But this is missing the main point of why we are upset.  I think you might be a tad more sympathetic if Danaher suddenly announced end-of-support for all of the Leica systems!  I have THREE high-end instruments that are being shut down in this decision - and the University here has other DeltaVisions and another OMX because people loved my systems so much that they bought their own when the need required it (e.g. within BSL3 labs).  And many of my former users around the world have bought a DV as their first microscope on their precious start-up funds, some just within the past year.   I'm sure the fact that one of my DVs has been running constantly and almost without issue for over 20 years now was part of the reason behind their choice - they wanted a workhorse system for their lab for many years to come.   Not only can core facilities not afford to replace totally functional, high-end systems every time a company chooses to simply cut them from the product line, but neither can smaller, individual labs.

So we do not want this to turn into an argument about which system is comparable or even better.  At the worst, we need firm dates for end-of-support for every instrument, for financial planning purposes, and, much better, we would like support to be continued for our existing DV and OMX systems in the long term.

I hope this clarifies our reasons for viewing this as a disaster,
Best,
Alison

________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on behalf of George McNamara <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2021 6:57 PM
To: [hidden email] <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster! ... no, the microscope world will survive

*****
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*****

Hi Kay,

With respect to "Leica ... instruments instead of a Deltavision system -
they are not remotely in the same league"

Have you ever used or managed a Leica SP5, SP8, STELLARIS 5 or STELLARIS
8 confocal microscope (STED optional on all but STE5)?  I've acquired,
and especially helped our user base, acquire, lots of very nice images
on our SP8, and previously on other Leica scopes.

My limited experience with DeltaVision deconvolution systems (several
years ago): horrible user interface, nice images for
widefield-->deconvolution, ok price point.

My experience with OMX SIM (including 2 trips to API in Seattle for
extended demo time for data for two NIH S10 shared instrumentation
grants): same horrible user interface (last used in 2015 at MDACC in
Houston), SIM extremely finicky wrt refractive index mismatch, including
across a single coverglass. No "wizard" (or 'devil', given API/GE
anti-user interface) to walk (crawl) a user through which bottle from
the very large set of Cargille oil bottles to use.

While I love "catastrophic" in the subject line of this thread, the
announcement and angst in various posts reminds me of Zeiss's
acquisition of the Bio-Rad multiphoton microscope product line and
customer list. Zeiss quickly ditched the Bio-Rad products, some
employees left, other employees stayed with Zeiss. There were no serious
calls to boycott Zeiss. The microscope world did not end.

Happy 2021,

George
JHU SOM, Baltimore, MD


Disclosures:

* I hosted for several days the API/GE bus with DeltaVision and InCell
HCS, when it was on tour, several years ago (not that long after GE
acquired API). Good time, but I was not allowed to drive the bus (of
course I did not have that class driver's license anyway).

Leica stuff
* I manage an SP8,
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__confocal.jhu.edu_current-2Dequipment_leica-2Dsp8-2Dconfocal-2Dmicroscope&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=mmAf6wPBgf0EZD2VGFkzDwcYB9kV3X7liKjBL6BqaLU&e=
* I previously managed an SP1 and two SP5s, a also a Leica widefield
inverted scope ... and my PhD images were done on Leitz Ortholux and
Orthoplan microscopes.
* I've hosted several Leica confocal demonstrations, workshops, seminars
since moving to JHU, including a STELLARIS 5 demo (the S detectors count
photons faster and higher QE than our 2nd gen HyDs ... and S have a big
dynamic range, not need protection from high light level ... and
STELLARIS can have 5 internal, and more out of X1 port).
* We may host a STELLARIS 8 (WLL&AOBS, hopefully 5 S detectors, FLIM,
LIGHTNING) demo in Spring 2021 (if we are 'go' for an S10 proposal and
if Leica can send us an "8" in time -- there are limits to the number of
demo machines they can have in the field).
* I have made many complaints/suggestions to Leica about LAS X, but it
is far superior to the OMX software in 2015.

Mol Dev related disclosures:
* I own a personal MetaMorph license (from an 'amazing image' contest
Mol Dev did many years ago ... several of my UMiami users also won
licenses at the time).
* I currently manage several MetaMorph licenses.
* I was the applications and technical support for MetaMorph (and
MetaFluor) 1992-1997, including when UIC (pre-Mol Dev acquisition, which
was pre-Danaher acquisition) passed the one thousand customer mark (with
respect to software, probably more than 50% on light microscope
systems). I am guessing Mol Dev has well over 1000 microscopes + HCS
functioning systems out there now. How many DeltaVision, OMX and HCS
systems are out there?


On 1/23/2021 6:01 PM, Kay Schink wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.umn.edu_cgi-2Dbin_wa-3FA0-3Dconfocalmicroscopy&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=y1Zv1WgIqHHdpW4QEzuyt4C-etXPxrqq6o4BRclsT54&e=
> Post images on https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.imgur.com&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=JmMayQ_8XbDOWpbyKEEELsANa7jvJ-JbkAkVqCnSb5k&e=  and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> ​Dear Oliver, Dear other OMX and DV users!
>
> Thanks a lot for this important information! It is indeed very worrying news, and I am fully in line with you and Alison. We have a V4 and a Deltavision, and I would not trade either of them for any of the _supposedly_ superior systems that were mentioned in the orignal mail from Cytiva.
> A move like this would surely alienate a huge number of core facilities, and for our facility, I don't see us buying any Leica or Molecular Devices instruments instead of a Deltavision system - they are not remotely in the same league (and annoying customers will make this even less likely!). We were just discussing that we would need a new Deltavision, and I can guarantee that the alternative will not come from any Cytiva-based company.
>
> As we already had problems with Cytiva keeping their promised maintenances  - this is not a complaint about their service personnel (who are all fantastic) but about all the company structures in between -  we would be happy to outsource this to a separate and reliable company run by the fantastic service team (Applied Precision 2.0 anyone ;-) -)
>
> I am fully behind putting some pressure on Cytiva and will be happy to work with the community to avoid this impending disaster.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Kay
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Kay Oliver Schink
> Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology
> Institute for Cancer research
> The Norwegian Radium Hospital
> Ullernchausseen 70 - Montebello
> 0379 Oslo
> Norway
> Tel: [phone]
> e-mail: [hidden email]
> Website: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.ous-2Dresearch.no_schink_&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=hKa6M_xRbEK0WK3i3EZCA8tNlFH0m0mE8B_5oZjo8S0&e=

[Chloe van Oostende]

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

Hi all,
I share the worrisome of the situation. I called our service engineer 5
minutes after receiving the email from Cytiva. We have two DVs and we love
them!
Our service engineer will sadly go with Molecular probes, however, another
engineer, originally from API, will apparently go with Leica. Which was
such a relief for me. The DV systems are indeed a technological beauty and
not everyone can take care of them correctly (hardware and software wise).
I'm also highly frustrated that I just renewed our maintenance contract
with Cytiva, only one week before receiving the email and they didn't
mention this big change before!
Anyway, let's hope this transition will go smoothly (I remember stories
from Professors who experienced the transition from API to GE... until GE
realized that they had to recreate a DV-specialised engineer department).

Good luck to everyone!
Chloe
*Chloë van Oostende, PhD*

Facility manager- Senior Microscopy specialist
*Cell Biology and Image Acquisition Core Facility*
Faculty of Medicine
University of Ottawa
RGN 3171
451 Smyth Road
Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5
Office: 613-562-5800 ext: 8376

http://www.chloevanoostende.net
CBIA core facility
<http://www.med.uottawa.ca/research/corelabs/CoreLabs_CBIA/eng/>


Le lun. 25 janv. 2021 à 09:30, Alison J. North <[hidden email]> a
écrit :

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Dear George,
>
> First of all, I agree 100% with what Kay wrote.  I HAVE managed a Leica
> SP8 and it is an absolutely fantastic confocal system.  But it's not a
> widefield deconvolution system and I would like to see anybody manage to
> image the tiny flagella of marine bacteria on it in darkfield mode at the
> required frame rate of hundreds of frames per second, as I have done on my
> DV. which is an incredibly flexible instrument.  You are comparing apples
> with oranges.  Also, the DV software is everybody's favourite in my
> facility and always has been - super intuitive, super easy. And yes, the
> OMX does require you to be careful with sample prep - but it's not exactly
> rocket science, as long as you use high precision coverslips and mount and
> seal the coverslips in a standardized manner, then, as Kay said, you can
> immediately predict which refractive index oil you will need for a given
> sample and application.
>
> We all have our favourite systems, and it's totally understandable that
> you might not like the DV and OMX as much as those of us who chose to buy
> them. But this is missing the main point of why we are upset.  I think you
> might be a tad more sympathetic if Danaher suddenly announced
> end-of-support for all of the Leica systems!  I have THREE high-end
> instruments that are being shut down in this decision - and the University
> here has other DeltaVisions and another OMX because people loved my systems
> so much that they bought their own when the need required it (e.g. within
> BSL3 labs).  And many of my former users around the world have bought a DV
> as their first microscope on their precious start-up funds, some just
> within the past year.   I'm sure the fact that one of my DVs has been
> running constantly and almost without issue for over 20 years now was part
> of the reason behind their choice - they wanted a workhorse system for
> their lab for many years to come.   Not only can core facilities not afford
> to replace totally functional, high-end systems every time a company
> chooses to simply cut them from the product line, but neither can smaller,
> individual labs.
>
> So we do not want this to turn into an argument about which system is
> comparable or even better.  At the worst, we need firm dates for
> end-of-support for every instrument, for financial planning purposes, and,
> much better, we would like support to be continued for our existing DV and
> OMX systems in the long term.
>
> I hope this clarifies our reasons for viewing this as a disaster,
> Best,
> Alison
>
> ________________________________
> From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on
> behalf of George McNamara <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2021 6:57 PM
> To: [hidden email] <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and
> catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster! ... no, the
> microscope world will survive
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.umn.edu_cgi-2Dbin_wa-3FA0-3Dconfocalmicroscopy&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=y1Zv1WgIqHHdpW4QEzuyt4C-etXPxrqq6o4BRclsT54&e=
> Post images on
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.imgur.com&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=JmMayQ_8XbDOWpbyKEEELsANa7jvJ-JbkAkVqCnSb5k&e=
> and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Hi Kay,
>
> With respect to "Leica ... instruments instead of a Deltavision system -
> they are not remotely in the same league"
>
> Have you ever used or managed a Leica SP5, SP8, STELLARIS 5 or STELLARIS
> 8 confocal microscope (STED optional on all but STE5)?  I've acquired,
> and especially helped our user base, acquire, lots of very nice images
> on our SP8, and previously on other Leica scopes.
>
> My limited experience with DeltaVision deconvolution systems (several
> years ago): horrible user interface, nice images for
> widefield-->deconvolution, ok price point.
>
> My experience with OMX SIM (including 2 trips to API in Seattle for
> extended demo time for data for two NIH S10 shared instrumentation
> grants): same horrible user interface (last used in 2015 at MDACC in
> Houston), SIM extremely finicky wrt refractive index mismatch, including
> across a single coverglass. No "wizard" (or 'devil', given API/GE
> anti-user interface) to walk (crawl) a user through which bottle from
> the very large set of Cargille oil bottles to use.
>
> While I love "catastrophic" in the subject line of this thread, the
> announcement and angst in various posts reminds me of Zeiss's
> acquisition of the Bio-Rad multiphoton microscope product line and
> customer list. Zeiss quickly ditched the Bio-Rad products, some
> employees left, other employees stayed with Zeiss. There were no serious
> calls to boycott Zeiss. The microscope world did not end.
>
> Happy 2021,
>
> George
> JHU SOM, Baltimore, MD
>
>
> Disclosures:
>
> * I hosted for several days the API/GE bus with DeltaVision and InCell
> HCS, when it was on tour, several years ago (not that long after GE
> acquired API). Good time, but I was not allowed to drive the bus (of
> course I did not have that class driver's license anyway).
>
> Leica stuff
> * I manage an SP8,
>
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__confocal.jhu.edu_current-2Dequipment_leica-2Dsp8-2Dconfocal-2Dmicroscope&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=mmAf6wPBgf0EZD2VGFkzDwcYB9kV3X7liKjBL6BqaLU&e=
> * I previously managed an SP1 and two SP5s, a also a Leica widefield
> inverted scope ... and my PhD images were done on Leitz Ortholux and
> Orthoplan microscopes.
> * I've hosted several Leica confocal demonstrations, workshops, seminars
> since moving to JHU, including a STELLARIS 5 demo (the S detectors count
> photons faster and higher QE than our 2nd gen HyDs ... and S have a big
> dynamic range, not need protection from high light level ... and
> STELLARIS can have 5 internal, and more out of X1 port).
> * We may host a STELLARIS 8 (WLL&AOBS, hopefully 5 S detectors, FLIM,
> LIGHTNING) demo in Spring 2021 (if we are 'go' for an S10 proposal and
> if Leica can send us an "8" in time -- there are limits to the number of
> demo machines they can have in the field).
> * I have made many complaints/suggestions to Leica about LAS X, but it
> is far superior to the OMX software in 2015.
>
> Mol Dev related disclosures:
> * I own a personal MetaMorph license (from an 'amazing image' contest
> Mol Dev did many years ago ... several of my UMiami users also won
> licenses at the time).
> * I currently manage several MetaMorph licenses.
> * I was the applications and technical support for MetaMorph (and
> MetaFluor) 1992-1997, including when UIC (pre-Mol Dev acquisition, which
> was pre-Danaher acquisition) passed the one thousand customer mark (with
> respect to software, probably more than 50% on light microscope
> systems). I am guessing Mol Dev has well over 1000 microscopes + HCS
> functioning systems out there now. How many DeltaVision, OMX and HCS
> systems are out there?
>
>
> On 1/23/2021 6:01 PM, Kay Schink wrote:
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> >
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.umn.edu_cgi-2Dbin_wa-3FA0-3Dconfocalmicroscopy&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=y1Zv1WgIqHHdpW4QEzuyt4C-etXPxrqq6o4BRclsT54&e=
> > Post images on
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.imgur.com&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=JmMayQ_8XbDOWpbyKEEELsANa7jvJ-JbkAkVqCnSb5k&e=
> and include the link in your posting.
> > *****
> >
> > ​Dear Oliver, Dear other OMX and DV users!
> >
> > Thanks a lot for this important information! It is indeed very worrying
> news, and I am fully in line with you and Alison. We have a V4 and a
> Deltavision, and I would not trade either of them for any of the
> _supposedly_ superior systems that were mentioned in the orignal mail from
> Cytiva.
> > A move like this would surely alienate a huge number of core facilities,
> and for our facility, I don't see us buying any Leica or Molecular Devices
> instruments instead of a Deltavision system - they are not remotely in the
> same league (and annoying customers will make this even less likely!). We
> were just discussing that we would need a new Deltavision, and I can
> guarantee that the alternative will not come from any Cytiva-based company.
> >
> > As we already had problems with Cytiva keeping their promised
> maintenances  - this is not a complaint about their service personnel (who
> are all fantastic) but about all the company structures in between -  we
> would be happy to outsource this to a separate and reliable company run by
> the fantastic service team (Applied Precision 2.0 anyone ;-) -)
> >
> > I am fully behind putting some pressure on Cytiva and will be happy to
> work with the community to avoid this impending disaster.
> >
> > Best wishes,
> >
> > Kay
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Kay Oliver Schink
> > Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology
> > Institute for Cancer research
> > The Norwegian Radium Hospital
> > Ullernchausseen 70 - Montebello
> > 0379 Oslo
> > Norway
> > Tel: [phone]
> > e-mail: [hidden email]
> > Website:
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.ous-2Dresearch.no_schink_&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=hKa6M_xRbEK0WK3i3EZCA8tNlFH0m0mE8B_5oZjo8S0&e=
>

[Julio MATEOS_LANGERAK]

*****
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http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

Dear all,

Our core facility owns an OMX since 2011 (V3 later upgraded to V4). We also believe it is an exceptional piece of equipment and the users do definitelly love it for a diversity of reasons.
I agree with the points raised around the problems it is going to cause to us and the users the posibility that these systems are not supported in 5 years (3 in our system) and the presumable shortcomings in the support from today on. I have serious doubts that Leica is going to be able to provide a proper service on these machines when they see this affair as a burden more that an oportunity to fill an important gap in their technological offer. I specially agree with those comments praising the professionality of all of the engineers I have met serving and developing the OMX product line.

The term catastrophic is, indeed, relative. While microscopes will continue to exist, finding your self with an unsupported investment of many hundreds of thousands may be, rightfully, considered catastrophic. There are systems that were not even installed at the time that the news came. If I place myself in their skins, I cannot find any diplomatic way to describe the situation and I very well understand the consideration they will have in future purchases from any company owned by Danaher.

And just to make public my piece of rage about the situation. In the mail addressed to us, they end up referring to me as "a valued partner" and I understand that person that wrote this letter feels like using the usual corporate verbiage. However, I want to make clear that, with this affair, first, I do not feel precisely "valued", neither I think that our relation can be considered as a partnership. But maybe it is me having too high standards for these two terms.

Best regards to everyone,

Julio


________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on behalf of Chloe van Oostende <[hidden email]>
Sent: 25 January 2021 17:27
To: [hidden email] <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster! ... yes, for many of us it IS

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

Hi all,
I share the worrisome of the situation. I called our service engineer 5
minutes after receiving the email from Cytiva. We have two DVs and we love
them!
Our service engineer will sadly go with Molecular probes, however, another
engineer, originally from API, will apparently go with Leica. Which was
such a relief for me. The DV systems are indeed a technological beauty and
not everyone can take care of them correctly (hardware and software wise).
I'm also highly frustrated that I just renewed our maintenance contract
with Cytiva, only one week before receiving the email and they didn't
mention this big change before!
Anyway, let's hope this transition will go smoothly (I remember stories
from Professors who experienced the transition from API to GE... until GE
realized that they had to recreate a DV-specialised engineer department).

Good luck to everyone!
Chloe
*Chloë van Oostende, PhD*

Facility manager- Senior Microscopy specialist
*Cell Biology and Image Acquisition Core Facility*
Faculty of Medicine
University of Ottawa
RGN 3171
451 Smyth Road
Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5
Office: 613-562-5800 ext: 8376

http://www.chloevanoostende.net
CBIA core facility
<http://www.med.uottawa.ca/research/corelabs/CoreLabs_CBIA/eng/>


Le lun. 25 janv. 2021 à 09:30, Alison J. North <[hidden email]> a
écrit :

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Dear George,
>
> First of all, I agree 100% with what Kay wrote.  I HAVE managed a Leica
> SP8 and it is an absolutely fantastic confocal system.  But it's not a
> widefield deconvolution system and I would like to see anybody manage to
> image the tiny flagella of marine bacteria on it in darkfield mode at the
> required frame rate of hundreds of frames per second, as I have done on my
> DV. which is an incredibly flexible instrument.  You are comparing apples
> with oranges.  Also, the DV software is everybody's favourite in my
> facility and always has been - super intuitive, super easy. And yes, the
> OMX does require you to be careful with sample prep - but it's not exactly
> rocket science, as long as you use high precision coverslips and mount and
> seal the coverslips in a standardized manner, then, as Kay said, you can
> immediately predict which refractive index oil you will need for a given
> sample and application.
>
> We all have our favourite systems, and it's totally understandable that
> you might not like the DV and OMX as much as those of us who chose to buy
> them. But this is missing the main point of why we are upset.  I think you
> might be a tad more sympathetic if Danaher suddenly announcedof euros
> end-of-support for all of the Leica systems!  I have THREE high-end
> instruments that are being shut down in this decision - and the University
> here has other DeltaVisions and another OMX because people loved my systems
> so much that they bought their own when the need required it (e.g. within
> BSL3 labs).  And many of my former users around the world have bought a DV
> as their first microscope on their precious start-up funds, some just
> within the past year.   I'm sure the fact that one of my DVs has been
> running constantly and almost without issue for over 20 years now was part
> of the reason behind their choice - they wanted a workhorse system for
> their lab for many years to come.   Not only can core facilities not afford
> to replace totally functional, high-end systems every time a company
> chooses to simply cut them from the product line, but neither can smaller,
> individual labs.
>
> So we do not want this to turn into an argument about which system is
> comparable or even better.  At the worst, we need firm dates for
> end-of-support for every instrument, for financial planning purposes, and,
> much better, we would like support to be continued for our existing DV and
> OMX systems in the long term.
>
> I hope this clarifies our reasons for viewing this as a disaster,
> Best,
> Alison
>
> ________________________________
> From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on
> behalf of George McNamara <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2021 6:57 PM
> To: [hidden email] <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and
> catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster! ... no, the
> microscope world will survive
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.umn.edu_cgi-2Dbin_wa-3FA0-3Dconfocalmicroscopy&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=y1Zv1WgIqHHdpW4QEzuyt4C-etXPxrqq6o4BRclsT54&e=
> Post images on
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.imgur.com&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=JmMayQ_8XbDOWpbyKEEELsANa7jvJ-JbkAkVqCnSb5k&e=
> and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Hi Kay,
>
> With respect to "Leica ... instruments instead of a Deltavision system -
> they are not remotely in the same league"
>
> Have you ever used or managed a Leica SP5, SP8, STELLARIS 5 or STELLARIS
> 8 confocal microscope (STED optional on all but STE5)?  I've acquired,
> and especially helped our user base, acquire, lots of very nice images
> on our SP8, and previously on other Leica scopes.
>
> My limited experience with DeltaVision deconvolution systems (several
> years ago): horrible user interface, nice images for
> widefield-->deconvolution, ok price point.
>
> My experience with OMX SIM (including 2 trips to API in Seattle for
> extended demo time for data for two NIH S10 shared instrumentation
> grants): same horrible user interface (last used in 2015 at MDACC in
> Houston), SIM extremely finicky wrt refractive index mismatch, including
> across a single coverglass. No "wizard" (or 'devil', given API/GE
> anti-user interface) to walk (crawl) a user through which bottle from
> the very large set of Cargille oil bottles to use.
>
> While I love "catastrophic" in the subject line of this thread, the
> announcement and angst in various posts reminds me of Zeiss's
> acquisition of the Bio-Rad multiphoton microscope product line and
> customer list. Zeiss quickly ditched the Bio-Rad products, some
> employees left, other employees stayed with Zeiss. There were no serious
> calls to boycott Zeiss. The microscope world did not end.
>
> Happy 2021,
>
> George
> JHU SOM, Baltimore, MD
>
>
> Disclosures:
>
> * I hosted for several days the API/GE bus with DeltaVision and InCell
> HCS, when it was on tour, several years ago (not that long after GE
> acquired API). Good time, but I was not allowed to drive the bus (of
> course I did not have that class driver's license anyway).
>
> Leica stuff
> * I manage an SP8,
>
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__confocal.jhu.edu_current-2Dequipment_leica-2Dsp8-2Dconfocal-2Dmicroscope&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=mmAf6wPBgf0EZD2VGFkzDwcYB9kV3X7liKjBL6BqaLU&e=
> * I previously managed an SP1 and two SP5s, a also a Leica widefield
> inverted scope ... and my PhD images were done on Leitz Ortholux and
> Orthoplan microscopes.
> * I've hosted several Leica confocal demonstrations, workshops, seminars
> since moving to JHU, including a STELLARIS 5 demo (the S detectors count
> photons faster and higher QE than our 2nd gen HyDs ... and S have a big
> dynamic range, not need protection from high light level ... and
> STELLARIS can have 5 internal, and more out of X1 port).
> * We may host a STELLARIS 8 (WLL&AOBS, hopefully 5 S detectors, FLIM,
> LIGHTNING) demo in Spring 2021 (if we are 'go' for an S10 proposal and
> if Leica can send us an "8" in time -- there are limits to the number of
> demo machines they can have in the field).
> * I have made many complaints/suggestions to Leica about LAS X, but it
> is far superior to the OMX software in 2015.
>
> Mol Dev related disclosures:
> * I own a personal MetaMorph license (from an 'amazing image' contest
> Mol Dev did many years ago ... several of my UMiami users also won
> licenses at the time).
> * I currently manage several MetaMorph licenses.
> * I was the applications and technical support for MetaMorph (and
> MetaFluor) 1992-1997, including when UIC (pre-Mol Dev acquisition, which
> was pre-Danaher acquisition) passed the one thousand customer mark (with
> respect to software, probably more than 50% on light microscope
> systems). I am guessing Mol Dev has well over 1000 microscopes + HCS
> functioning systems out there now. How many DeltaVision, OMX and HCS
> systems are out there?
>
>
> On 1/23/2021 6:01 PM, Kay Schink wrote:
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> >
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.umn.edu_cgi-2Dbin_wa-3FA0-3Dconfocalmicroscopy&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=y1Zv1WgIqHHdpW4QEzuyt4C-etXPxrqq6o4BRclsT54&e=
> > Post images on
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.imgur.com&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=JmMayQ_8XbDOWpbyKEEELsANa7jvJ-JbkAkVqCnSb5k&e=
> and include the link in your posting.
> > *****
> >
> > ​Dear Oliver, Dear other OMX and DV users!
> >
> > Thanks a lot for this important information! It is indeed very worrying
> news, and I am fully in line with you and Alison. We have a V4 and a
> Deltavision, and I would not trade either of them for any of the
> _supposedly_ superior systems that were mentioned in the orignal mail from
> Cytiva.
> > A move like this would surely alienate a huge number of core facilities,
> and for our facility, I don't see us buying any Leica or Molecular Devices
> instruments instead of a Deltavision system - they are not remotely in the
> same league (and annoying customers will make this even less likely!). We
> were just discussing that we would need a new Deltavision, and I can
> guarantee that the alternative will not come from any Cytiva-based company.
> >
> > As we already had problems with Cytiva keeping their promised
> maintenances  - this is not a complaint about their service personnel (who
> are all fantastic) but about all the company structures in between -  we
> would be happy to outsource this to a separate and reliable company run by
> the fantastic service team (Applied Precision 2.0 anyone ;-) -)
> >
> > I am fully behind putting some pressure on Cytiva and will be happy to
> work with the community to avoid this impending disaster.
> >
> > Best wishes,
> >
> > Kay
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Kay Oliver Schink
> > Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology
> > Institute for Cancer research
> > The Norwegian Radium Hospital
> > Ullernchausseen 70 - Montebello
> > 0379 Oslo
> > Norway
> > Tel: [phone]
> > e-mail: [hidden email]
> > Website:
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.ous-2Dresearch.no_schink_&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=hKa6M_xRbEK0WK3i3EZCA8tNlFH0m0mE8B_5oZjo8S0&e=
>

[George McNamara]

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Dear listserv,

Many of the Cytiva and Danaher executive team members are on linkedin.
You can connect with them there and provide your input to their products
and soon to be ex-products. For example,

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-ligner-967b9016/

Emmanuel Ligner
President and CEO at Cytiva


happy 2021 and beyond,

George


On 2/4/2021 4:03 AM, Julio MATEOS_LANGERAK wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Dear all,
>
> Our core facility owns an OMX since 2011 (V3 later upgraded to V4). We also believe it is an exceptional piece of equipment and the users do definitelly love it for a diversity of reasons.
> I agree with the points raised around the problems it is going to cause to us and the users the posibility that these systems are not supported in 5 years (3 in our system) and the presumable shortcomings in the support from today on. I have serious doubts that Leica is going to be able to provide a proper service on these machines when they see this affair as a burden more that an oportunity to fill an important gap in their technological offer. I specially agree with those comments praising the professionality of all of the engineers I have met serving and developing the OMX product line.
>
> The term catastrophic is, indeed, relative. While microscopes will continue to exist, finding your self with an unsupported investment of many hundreds of thousands may be, rightfully, considered catastrophic. There are systems that were not even installed at the time that the news came. If I place myself in their skins, I cannot find any diplomatic way to describe the situation and I very well understand the consideration they will have in future purchases from any company owned by Danaher.
>
> And just to make public my piece of rage about the situation. In the mail addressed to us, they end up referring to me as "a valued partner" and I understand that person that wrote this letter feels like using the usual corporate verbiage. However, I want to make clear that, with this affair, first, I do not feel precisely "valued", neither I think that our relation can be considered as a partnership. But maybe it is me having too high standards for these two terms.
>
> Best regards to everyone,
>
> Julio
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on behalf of Chloe van Oostende <[hidden email]>
> Sent: 25 January 2021 17:27
> To: [hidden email] <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster! ... yes, for many of us it IS
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Hi all,
> I share the worrisome of the situation. I called our service engineer 5
> minutes after receiving the email from Cytiva. We have two DVs and we love
> them!
> Our service engineer will sadly go with Molecular probes, however, another
> engineer, originally from API, will apparently go with Leica. Which was
> such a relief for me. The DV systems are indeed a technological beauty and
> not everyone can take care of them correctly (hardware and software wise).
> I'm also highly frustrated that I just renewed our maintenance contract
> with Cytiva, only one week before receiving the email and they didn't
> mention this big change before!
> Anyway, let's hope this transition will go smoothly (I remember stories
> from Professors who experienced the transition from API to GE... until GE
> realized that they had to recreate a DV-specialised engineer department).
>
> Good luck to everyone!
> Chloe
> *Chloë van Oostende, PhD*
>
> Facility manager- Senior Microscopy specialist
> *Cell Biology and Image Acquisition Core Facility*
> Faculty of Medicine
> University of Ottawa
> RGN 3171
> 451 Smyth Road
> Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5
> Office: 613-562-5800 ext: 8376
>
> http://www.chloevanoostende.net
> CBIA core facility
> <http://www.med.uottawa.ca/research/corelabs/CoreLabs_CBIA/eng/>
>
>
> Le lun. 25 janv. 2021 à 09:30, Alison J. North <[hidden email]> a
> écrit :
>
>> *****
>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
>> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
>> *****
>>
>> Dear George,
>>
>> First of all, I agree 100% with what Kay wrote.  I HAVE managed a Leica
>> SP8 and it is an absolutely fantastic confocal system.  But it's not a
>> widefield deconvolution system and I would like to see anybody manage to
>> image the tiny flagella of marine bacteria on it in darkfield mode at the
>> required frame rate of hundreds of frames per second, as I have done on my
>> DV. which is an incredibly flexible instrument.  You are comparing apples
>> with oranges.  Also, the DV software is everybody's favourite in my
>> facility and always has been - super intuitive, super easy. And yes, the
>> OMX does require you to be careful with sample prep - but it's not exactly
>> rocket science, as long as you use high precision coverslips and mount and
>> seal the coverslips in a standardized manner, then, as Kay said, you can
>> immediately predict which refractive index oil you will need for a given
>> sample and application.
>>
>> We all have our favourite systems, and it's totally understandable that
>> you might not like the DV and OMX as much as those of us who chose to buy
>> them. But this is missing the main point of why we are upset.  I think you
>> might be a tad more sympathetic if Danaher suddenly announcedof euros
>> end-of-support for all of the Leica systems!  I have THREE high-end
>> instruments that are being shut down in this decision - and the University
>> here has other DeltaVisions and another OMX because people loved my systems
>> so much that they bought their own when the need required it (e.g. within
>> BSL3 labs).  And many of my former users around the world have bought a DV
>> as their first microscope on their precious start-up funds, some just
>> within the past year.   I'm sure the fact that one of my DVs has been
>> running constantly and almost without issue for over 20 years now was part
>> of the reason behind their choice - they wanted a workhorse system for
>> their lab for many years to come.   Not only can core facilities not afford
>> to replace totally functional, high-end systems every time a company
>> chooses to simply cut them from the product line, but neither can smaller,
>> individual labs.
>>
>> So we do not want this to turn into an argument about which system is
>> comparable or even better.  At the worst, we need firm dates for
>> end-of-support for every instrument, for financial planning purposes, and,
>> much better, we would like support to be continued for our existing DV and
>> OMX systems in the long term.
>>
>> I hope this clarifies our reasons for viewing this as a disaster,
>> Best,
>> Alison
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on
>> behalf of George McNamara <[hidden email]>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2021 6:57 PM
>> To: [hidden email] <[hidden email]>
>> Subject: Re: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and
>> catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster! ... no, the
>> microscope world will survive
>>
>> *****
>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>>
>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.umn.edu_cgi-2Dbin_wa-3FA0-3Dconfocalmicroscopy&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=y1Zv1WgIqHHdpW4QEzuyt4C-etXPxrqq6o4BRclsT54&e=
>> Post images on
>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.imgur.com&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=JmMayQ_8XbDOWpbyKEEELsANa7jvJ-JbkAkVqCnSb5k&e=
>> and include the link in your posting.
>> *****
>>
>> Hi Kay,
>>
>> With respect to "Leica ... instruments instead of a Deltavision system -
>> they are not remotely in the same league"
>>
>> Have you ever used or managed a Leica SP5, SP8, STELLARIS 5 or STELLARIS
>> 8 confocal microscope (STED optional on all but STE5)?  I've acquired,
>> and especially helped our user base, acquire, lots of very nice images
>> on our SP8, and previously on other Leica scopes.
>>
>> My limited experience with DeltaVision deconvolution systems (several
>> years ago): horrible user interface, nice images for
>> widefield-->deconvolution, ok price point.
>>
>> My experience with OMX SIM (including 2 trips to API in Seattle for
>> extended demo time for data for two NIH S10 shared instrumentation
>> grants): same horrible user interface (last used in 2015 at MDACC in
>> Houston), SIM extremely finicky wrt refractive index mismatch, including
>> across a single coverglass. No "wizard" (or 'devil', given API/GE
>> anti-user interface) to walk (crawl) a user through which bottle from
>> the very large set of Cargille oil bottles to use.
>>
>> While I love "catastrophic" in the subject line of this thread, the
>> announcement and angst in various posts reminds me of Zeiss's
>> acquisition of the Bio-Rad multiphoton microscope product line and
>> customer list. Zeiss quickly ditched the Bio-Rad products, some
>> employees left, other employees stayed with Zeiss. There were no serious
>> calls to boycott Zeiss. The microscope world did not end.
>>
>> Happy 2021,
>>
>> George
>> JHU SOM, Baltimore, MD
>>
>>
>> Disclosures:
>>
>> * I hosted for several days the API/GE bus with DeltaVision and InCell
>> HCS, when it was on tour, several years ago (not that long after GE
>> acquired API). Good time, but I was not allowed to drive the bus (of
>> course I did not have that class driver's license anyway).
>>
>> Leica stuff
>> * I manage an SP8,
>>
>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__confocal.jhu.edu_current-2Dequipment_leica-2Dsp8-2Dconfocal-2Dmicroscope&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=mmAf6wPBgf0EZD2VGFkzDwcYB9kV3X7liKjBL6BqaLU&e=
>> * I previously managed an SP1 and two SP5s, a also a Leica widefield
>> inverted scope ... and my PhD images were done on Leitz Ortholux and
>> Orthoplan microscopes.
>> * I've hosted several Leica confocal demonstrations, workshops, seminars
>> since moving to JHU, including a STELLARIS 5 demo (the S detectors count
>> photons faster and higher QE than our 2nd gen HyDs ... and S have a big
>> dynamic range, not need protection from high light level ... and
>> STELLARIS can have 5 internal, and more out of X1 port).
>> * We may host a STELLARIS 8 (WLL&AOBS, hopefully 5 S detectors, FLIM,
>> LIGHTNING) demo in Spring 2021 (if we are 'go' for an S10 proposal and
>> if Leica can send us an "8" in time -- there are limits to the number of
>> demo machines they can have in the field).
>> * I have made many complaints/suggestions to Leica about LAS X, but it
>> is far superior to the OMX software in 2015.
>>
>> Mol Dev related disclosures:
>> * I own a personal MetaMorph license (from an 'amazing image' contest
>> Mol Dev did many years ago ... several of my UMiami users also won
>> licenses at the time).
>> * I currently manage several MetaMorph licenses.
>> * I was the applications and technical support for MetaMorph (and
>> MetaFluor) 1992-1997, including when UIC (pre-Mol Dev acquisition, which
>> was pre-Danaher acquisition) passed the one thousand customer mark (with
>> respect to software, probably more than 50% on light microscope
>> systems). I am guessing Mol Dev has well over 1000 microscopes + HCS
>> functioning systems out there now. How many DeltaVision, OMX and HCS
>> systems are out there?
>>
>>
>> On 1/23/2021 6:01 PM, Kay Schink wrote:
>>> *****
>>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>>>
>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.umn.edu_cgi-2Dbin_wa-3FA0-3Dconfocalmicroscopy&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=y1Zv1WgIqHHdpW4QEzuyt4C-etXPxrqq6o4BRclsT54&e=
>>> Post images on
>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.imgur.com&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=JmMayQ_8XbDOWpbyKEEELsANa7jvJ-JbkAkVqCnSb5k&e=
>> and include the link in your posting.
>>> *****
>>>
>>> ​Dear Oliver, Dear other OMX and DV users!
>>>
>>> Thanks a lot for this important information! It is indeed very worrying
>> news, and I am fully in line with you and Alison. We have a V4 and a
>> Deltavision, and I would not trade either of them for any of the
>> _supposedly_ superior systems that were mentioned in the orignal mail from
>> Cytiva.
>>> A move like this would surely alienate a huge number of core facilities,
>> and for our facility, I don't see us buying any Leica or Molecular Devices
>> instruments instead of a Deltavision system - they are not remotely in the
>> same league (and annoying customers will make this even less likely!). We
>> were just discussing that we would need a new Deltavision, and I can
>> guarantee that the alternative will not come from any Cytiva-based company.
>>> As we already had problems with Cytiva keeping their promised
>> maintenances  - this is not a complaint about their service personnel (who
>> are all fantastic) but about all the company structures in between -  we
>> would be happy to outsource this to a separate and reliable company run by
>> the fantastic service team (Applied Precision 2.0 anyone ;-) -)
>>> I am fully behind putting some pressure on Cytiva and will be happy to
>> work with the community to avoid this impending disaster.
>>> Best wishes,
>>>
>>> Kay
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Kay Oliver Schink
>>> Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology
>>> Institute for Cancer research
>>> The Norwegian Radium Hospital
>>> Ullernchausseen 70 - Montebello
>>> 0379 Oslo
>>> Norway
>>> Tel: [phone]
>>> e-mail: [hidden email]
>>> Website:
>> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.ous-2Dresearch.no_schink_&d=DwIDaQ&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=wkRLYHKfCp2FP9sSPoUCYE2ivjRbJRNQHOxvNG5ylBs&s=hKa6M_xRbEK0WK3i3EZCA8tNlFH0m0mE8B_5oZjo8S0&e=
>>

[Steffen Dietzel]

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Am 04.02.2021 um 13:18 schrieb George McNamara:
>
> https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-ligner-967b9016/
>
> Emmanuel Ligner
> President and CEO at Cytiva
>
Interesting coincidence: He posted this yesterday:

"Sustainability is key to the future of any organization."

Ah, well.


--
------------------------------------------------------------
Steffen Dietzel, PD Dr. rer. nat
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Biomedical Center (BMC)
Head of the Core Facility Bioimaging

Großhaderner Straße 9
D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried
Germany

http://www.bioimaging.bmc.med.uni-muenchen.de

[0000001ed7f52e4a-dmarc-request]

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*****

While I understand the shock regarding discontinuing the OMX microscopes, maybe this product line was really not sustainable ? They need to make a profit, otherwise they go bust and this will not help us either. Only alternative: Build your own... 
Best wishes
Andreas


-----Original Message-----
From: Steffen Dietzel <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 17:52
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster! ... yes, for many of us it IS

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
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Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****


Am 04.02.2021 um 13:18 schrieb George McNamara:
>
> https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-ligner-967b9016/
>
> Emmanuel Ligner
> President and CEO at Cytiva
>
Interesting coincidence: He posted this yesterday:

"Sustainability is key to the future of any organization."

Ah, well.


--
------------------------------------------------------------
Steffen Dietzel, PD Dr. rer. nat
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Biomedical Center (BMC)
Head of the Core Facility Bioimaging

Großhaderner Straße 9
D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried
Germany

http://www.bioimaging.bmc.med.uni-muenchen.de

[Simon Kinder-2]

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[https://app.salesforceiq.com/t.png?c=outlook&t=AFwhZf0y4WZLyc4-TUYkd-orWAfRv5ihiodP2s5F4FVKk6OwA44p0mBFHX7-piBrpfrQFxQe5nDp5s8OR6wuquKhpDy-2FySj9XcKi-A081k7MhTDSNE7NuilcuigwzIbDM6ItVsJrVg]160th in the fortune 500 index

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danaher_Corporation

they are not going broke.

Danaher acquired Cytiva, the biopharma business of the General Electric<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Electric> Life Sciences division, for $21.4 billion.

chump change

This is very much a decision based around the product line not being core to their business and something that just came along with the purchase of GE Life Sciences division.

What i find interesting is why they did not just roll the entire product line into Leica; it would have strengthened their portfolio.

Unless of course Leica is also not seen as core.....


________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on behalf of Andreas Bruckbauer <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, February 5, 2021 10:36 AM
To: [hidden email] <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster! ... yes, for many of us it IS

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While I understand the shock regarding discontinuing the OMX microscopes, maybe this product line was really not sustainable ? They need to make a profit, otherwise they go bust and this will not help us either. Only alternative: Build your own...
Best wishes
Andreas


-----Original Message-----
From: Steffen Dietzel <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 17:52
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of OMX and DeltaVision series and catastrophic transition to Leica / Danaher - it is a disaster! ... yes, for many of us it IS

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Am 04.02.2021 um 13:18 schrieb George McNamara:
>
> https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-ligner-967b9016/
>
> Emmanuel Ligner
> President and CEO at Cytiva
>
Interesting coincidence: He posted this yesterday:

"Sustainability is key to the future of any organization."

Ah, well.


--
------------------------------------------------------------
Steffen Dietzel, PD Dr. rer. nat
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Biomedical Center (BMC)
Head of the Core Facility Bioimaging

Großhaderner Straße 9
D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried
Germany

http://www.bioimaging.bmc.med.uni-muenchen.de

[Tanjef Szellas]

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** COMMERCIAL RESPONSE **

Dear Community, We (Leica Microsystems) acknowledge the concerns raised here in the listserv.  While it is uncommon for us to intervene directly in forum discussions, we decided to share this update to offer some clarification.
At Leica, we have a dedicated team actively working on the service transition from Cytiva. Key Cytiva product experts and Field Engineers from around the world are moving to Leica and will continue to support the products. In addition, Leica field engineers are being trained to strengthen regional support and leverage our global service coverage. Cytiva will continue to support these products until April 30, 2021. At that point, service support will transition to Leica Microsystems.  

Based on the questions raised we want to provide a few specific points regarding phase out timing.
• DeltaVision OMX Flex, DeltaVision OMX SR, DeltaVision Ultra were discontinued by Cytiva in December 2020.  Leica is committed to providing support for these instruments until December 31, 2025.
• DeltaVision OMX V4, DeltaVision Elite, DeltaVision Core and Personal DeltaVision were discontinued in June 2019.  Leica is committed to providing support for these instruments until December 31, 2025.  

In the coming weeks, Leica will publish transition updates to Cytiva customers.  We are committed to serving our customers and look forward to meeting the support expectations of our new Cytiva customers.  If you have specific concerns, we invite you to direct them to  [hidden email] allowing us to promptly answer them.

Phase out list
Product Name Discontinuation date Leica end of support commitment
Deltavision OMX Flex, SR Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2025
DeltaVision Ultra Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2025
Deltavision OMX V4 June 2019 Dec 31, 2025
DeltaVision Elite, Core & Personal DV June 2019 Dec 31, 2025

Best regards,
Tanjef

Tanjef Szellas, PhD |Global Director Service Operations and Service Innovations |Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH |Am Friedensplatz 3 |Mannheim |GERMANY