Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

[Hanna_SN]

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Dear All,

In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor
users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the
users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss
and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard
to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about
your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there
any easy way to do it?

Thanks,
Hanna
--
Hanna Sas-Nowosielska

Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function
Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology
Warsaw, Poland

[Joshua Zachary Rappoport]

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We run instrument relays that are connected directly to our LIMS system
It is a bit complicated I guess...
Happy to discuss if you want to contact me directly

Thanks

Josh

Joshua Z. Rappoport PhD

Director of the Center for Advanced Microscopy (CAM) and Nikon Imaging Center (NIC)
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
303 E. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
[phone]
http://cam.facilities.northwestern.edu/
http://nic.feinberg.northwestern.edu/

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Hanna Sas Nowosielska
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 10:50 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

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Dear All,

In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there any easy way to do it?

Thanks,
Hanna
--
Hanna Sas-Nowosielska

Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Warsaw, Poland

[Montero Llopis, Paula De La Milagrosa]

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Dear Hanna,

We use PPMS from Stratocore to manage our core. You can install a real time tracker that prompts users to use their credentials and records their usage.

The software gives you a lot of tools to manage your instruments and get statistics, obtain invoices...

You have to buy it, but it is worth it!

Best,

Paula

Microscopy Resources on the North Quad (MicRoN)
Harvard Medical School
Boston

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 28, 2018, at 11:52, Hanna Sas Nowosielska <[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 All,
>
> In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor
> users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the
> users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss
> and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard
> to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about
> your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there
> any easy way to do it?
>
> Thanks,
> Hanna
> --
> Hanna Sas-Nowosielska
>
> Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function
> Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology
> Warsaw, Poland

[TSwayne]

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Hi Hanna,

I’m not sure there is a way that is both easy and foolproof.  But we have done ok using a combination of Windows logs and the microscope software (NIS Elements) log.

Like you, we have many users, so we have a single user account on each instrument.

We use the Windows Event Viewer to find out the times of logon and logoff. (I set up a filter for those event codes.)  We check each computer every couple of days when confirming usage hours.

To find out who came in at the time of interest, we search the computer for files modified at that time – we keep these organized by user and PI.

For cases when people don’t log off, or delete their image files, we look into the NIS Elements log.  We can search through it to find the path where someone saved their images, and also the imaging setup they used. This usually gives us enough info to pinpoint the culprit.

Fortunately, we don’t have many instances of abuse – more often, it’s a few late-night people overstaying their reservations.

For those cases, the Windows log is fast and effective.

We looked into card-swipe access, but it is prohibitively expensive at our institution, and we still would have a lot of administrative overhead, because we would need to work with Security to set up the access privileges.

Hope this helps,
Theresa


------------------------------------
Theresa Swayne, Ph.D.
Associate Research Scientist
Manager, Confocal and Specialized Microscopy Shared Resource<http://hiccc.columbia.edu/research/sharedresources/confocal>

Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
Columbia University Medical Center
1130 St. Nicholas Ave., Room 222A
New York, NY 10032
Phone: [phone]
[hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>



From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on behalf of Hanna Sas Nowosielska <[hidden email]>
Reply-To: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]>
Date: Friday, September 28, 2018 at 11:52 AM
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Subject: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

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Dear All,

In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor
users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the
users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss
and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard
to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about
your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there
any easy way to do it?

Thanks,
Hanna
--
Hanna Sas-Nowosielska

Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function
Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology
Warsaw, Poland

[0000001ed7f52e4a-dmarc-request]

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*****

We also use PPMS and use individual user accounts (the normal university accounts) for our Leica, Zeiss and Nikon microscopes. We rarely have problems with this and have 300 active users. However there is a bit of setup required for each user, e.g. copy files in the right folder or connect to the server. We do this during the 1:1 training sessions. Sometimes one has to tidy up the C drive of the computer.

PPMS also allows tracking when you use a single local user account.

Best wishes

Andreas

Sent from my phone

> On 28 Sep 2018, at 17:12, Montero Llopis, Paula De La Milagrosa <[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 Hanna,
>
> We use PPMS from Stratocore to manage our core. You can install a real time tracker that prompts users to use their credentials and records their usage.
>
> The software gives you a lot of tools to manage your instruments and get statistics, obtain invoices...
>
> You have to buy it, but it is worth it!
>
> Best,
>
> Paula
>
> Microscopy Resources on the North Quad (MicRoN)
> Harvard Medical School
> Boston
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Sep 28, 2018, at 11:52, Hanna Sas Nowosielska <[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 All,
>>
>> In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor
>> users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the
>> users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss
>> and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard
>> to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about
>> your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there
>> any easy way to do it?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Hanna
>> --
>> Hanna Sas-Nowosielska
>>
>> Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function
>> Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology
>> Warsaw, Poland

[Carol Heckman]

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We encountered the same difficulty with Windows operating system, when we tried to erase the accounts of users who have graduated and left the institution.

We have a keypad on the main door of the facility.  This doesn't help us monitor individual's activities, but if something goes wrong and there is nobody signed in, we can figure out who came into the facility after normal hours.

Carol Heckman

Center for Microscopy & Microanalysis

Bowling Green State University


________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on behalf of Hanna Sas Nowosielska <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 11:49 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

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Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

Dear All,

In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor
users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the
users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss
and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard
to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about
your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there
any easy way to do it?

Thanks,
Hanna
--
Hanna Sas-Nowosielska

Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function
Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology
Warsaw, Poland

[Cammer, Michael]

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*****

The best way, IMHO, would be to have a two part system where the parts talk to each other.  Optional 3rd part.

1.  Online scheduling system.  
2.  Each users logs in using their unique ID.  This unique ID is served out and allows for file permissions on remote servers etc.  Logging is performed via login/logout of computer.  (You can set up a script to give you a list of all logouts logins, but even with some programming applied to simplify the list, still requires human intervention.)
3.  An additional 3rd part could be login in to the online scheduling system to turn on/off a hardware or software interlock for equipment that is not controlled by computer or doesn’t allow for individual logins.

The goal of the system is to audit all usage and allow for complex reporting (e.g. "How many Diabetes Center users worked after hours on confocals in the last FY?") with no staff time doing tallies, spreadsheets, etc.

The online scheduling system or addl database would compare scheduled times to logins.  Also, connect directly to institution's finance system for billing and updating internal accounting numbers.  This is an enormous challenge which requires administrative support; routing internal funding is a moving target and shouldn’t be the burden of scientists.  But this may be beyond your inquiry.

I like the policy whereby billed time always starts at scheduled time but allows for people to leave early (a minimum billed time, e.g. one hour, could be in the system) or allows people to work past the scheduled time with no need for user to do anything except log out when done.  

Happy to talk privately about our experiences attempting to have a sane auditing/billing system, the successes and failures, and issues with implementing.

Best regards-

Michael Cammer, Sr Research Scientist, DART Microscopy Laboratory
NYU Langone Health, 540 First Avenue, SK2 Microscopy Suite, New York, NY  10016
[hidden email]  http://nyulmc.org/micros  http://microscopynotes.com/ 
Voice direct only, no text or messages:  1-914-309-3270 and 1-646-501-0567


-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Hanna Sas Nowosielska
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 11:50 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

Dear All,

In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor
users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the
users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss
and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard
to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about
your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there
any easy way to do it?

Thanks,
Hanna
--
Hanna Sas-Nowosielska

Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function
Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology
Warsaw, Poland

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=================================

[Armstrong, Brian]

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Hi Hanna, all of the cores at my institution use iLab. It is very professional and does calendar, scheduling with permissions etc, and does billing. I assume that it is also quite expensive.

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 Hanna Sas Nowosielska
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 8:50 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

[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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Dear All,

In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there any easy way to do it?

Thanks,
Hanna
--
Hanna Sas-Nowosielska

Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Warsaw, Poland

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[kspencer007]

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Hi Hanna;
        In addition to Nikon Elements tracking, I use Greyware Logon Monitor. It wasn't too expensive. It tracks Windows user logons. You can get one base license, then satellite licenses for other computers. Simple to use, and cost-effective. Not as spiffy as iLab, but it works.
https://www.greyware.com/software/logonmon/

Kathy

The Scripps Research Institute
Dept of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
10550 N. Torrey Pines Road
DNC 216
La Jolla, Ca 92037





-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Hanna Sas Nowosielska
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 8:50 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

*****
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Dear All,

In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there any easy way to do it?

Thanks,
Hanna
--
Hanna Sas-Nowosielska

Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Warsaw, Poland

[Louis Kerr]

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We use PPMS from Stratacore as some others have mentioned.  Users register for an account through the online system, the core gives the users rights to approved instruments and then users can reserve time through the schedule. Once at the microscope users need to log in to get past a security screen. This starts real time logging using the tracker option so they will be charged for actual usage plus any unused scheduled time if you choose this option.


There are plenty of configurations and options plus lots of possible reports.


We charge an hourly rate and income did increase which might offset the cost of implementation.


Louie


Louie Kerr | Director, Imaging Services; Staff Scientist
Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA  02543
508-289-7273 | [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]> | www.mbl.edu<http://www.mbl.edu/>




________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on behalf of Cammer, Michael <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 1:48 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

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The best way, IMHO, would be to have a two part system where the parts talk to each other.  Optional 3rd part.

1.  Online scheduling system.
2.  Each users logs in using their unique ID.  This unique ID is served out and allows for file permissions on remote servers etc.  Logging is performed via login/logout of computer.  (You can set up a script to give you a list of all logouts logins, but even with some programming applied to simplify the list, still requires human intervention.)
3.  An additional 3rd part could be login in to the online scheduling system to turn on/off a hardware or software interlock for equipment that is not controlled by computer or doesn’t allow for individual logins.

The goal of the system is to audit all usage and allow for complex reporting (e.g. "How many Diabetes Center users worked after hours on confocals in the last FY?") with no staff time doing tallies, spreadsheets, etc.

The online scheduling system or addl database would compare scheduled times to logins.  Also, connect directly to institution's finance system for billing and updating internal accounting numbers.  This is an enormous challenge which requires administrative support; routing internal funding is a moving target and shouldn’t be the burden of scientists.  But this may be beyond your inquiry.

I like the policy whereby billed time always starts at scheduled time but allows for people to leave early (a minimum billed time, e.g. one hour, could be in the system) or allows people to work past the scheduled time with no need for user to do anything except log out when done.

Happy to talk privately about our experiences attempting to have a sane auditing/billing system, the successes and failures, and issues with implementing.

Best regards-

Michael Cammer, Sr Research Scientist, DART Microscopy Laboratory
NYU Langone Health, 540 First Avenue, SK2 Microscopy Suite, New York, NY  10016
[hidden email]  http://nyulmc.org/micros  http://microscopynotes.com/
Voice direct only, no text or messages:  1-914-309-3270 and 1-646-501-0567


-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Hanna Sas Nowosielska
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 11:50 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

Dear All,

In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor
users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the
users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss
and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard
to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about
your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there
any easy way to do it?

Thanks,
Hanna
--
Hanna Sas-Nowosielska

Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function
Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology
Warsaw, Poland

------------------------------------------------------------
This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender by return email and delete the original message. Please note, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The organization accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.
=================================

[Alison J. North]

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Hi all,

We too use the PPMS from Stratocore. I usually keep quiet on such questions, since it was partly written within my facility, but we no longer receive any free access (we keep paying to use it though) so I think it's fair for me to comment nowadays.

When we started using it, I soon worked out that about 30% of the time booked on our systems is not used, and also about an equal proportion of time used was never booked. Thus charging for a combination of time booked AND additional time used does indeed make a big difference to cost recovery - which can far outweigh the cost of paying for a good facility management software, whichever one you choose.

The flexibility and options within the PPMS are ideal for an imaging facility, which is not surprising since it was largely written by somebody who worked in two different microscope facilities. We have also asked them to add many additional features over the past few years. My favourite new one, which we requested earlier this year, is the option of automatically deactivating a user on a certain microscope after a specified time of being inactive on that system - e.g. 3 months.  We have implemented this to avoid the typical problems (such as equipment damage or last-minute requests at 5pm on a Friday for instant re-training!) that crop up when somebody was trained on a microscope and returns a year later...  They have to contact us to get reactivated, at which point we test them on the system. The particularly nice thing is that you can deactivate the same person on one system but choose to leave them active on other systems, e.g. the image processing workstations or a more basic microscope.

Hope this is helpful,
All the best,
Alison

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID


Louis Kerr <[hidden email]> wrote:

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*****

We use PPMS from Stratacore as some others have mentioned.  Users register for an account through the online system, the core gives the users rights to approved instruments and then users can reserve time through the schedule. Once at the microscope users need to log in to get past a security screen. This starts real time logging using the tracker option so they will be charged for actual usage plus any unused scheduled time if you choose this option.


There are plenty of configurations and options plus lots of possible reports.


We charge an hourly rate and income did increase which might offset the cost of implementation.


Louie


Louie Kerr | Director, Imaging Services; Staff Scientist
Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA  02543
508-289-7273 | [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]> | www.mbl.edu<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.mbl.edu_&d=DwIF-g&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=YXUNEcJ3YadLlkQ5KkPX1MhoxJ2Ct5aVMCr87xZqykk&s=dYeV_qYaxrI5RGKK-1kFc38XKOmSfaqIhXjrJygaBJs&e=>




________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on behalf of Cammer, Michael <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 1:48 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

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Post images on https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.imgur.com&d=DwIF-g&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=YXUNEcJ3YadLlkQ5KkPX1MhoxJ2Ct5aVMCr87xZqykk&s=Gkhnib5IZvYbzMBpmky4GYpIV_U1f5EaO_lDYcwQueA&e= and include the link in your posting.
*****

The best way, IMHO, would be to have a two part system where the parts talk to each other.  Optional 3rd part.

1.  Online scheduling system.
2.  Each users logs in using their unique ID.  This unique ID is served out and allows for file permissions on remote servers etc.  Logging is performed via login/logout of computer.  (You can set up a script to give you a list of all logouts logins, but even with some programming applied to simplify the list, still requires human intervention.)
3.  An additional 3rd part could be login in to the online scheduling system to turn on/off a hardware or software interlock for equipment that is not controlled by computer or doesn’t allow for individual logins.

The goal of the system is to audit all usage and allow for complex reporting (e.g. "How many Diabetes Center users worked after hours on confocals in the last FY?") with no staff time doing tallies, spreadsheets, etc.

The online scheduling system or addl database would compare scheduled times to logins.  Also, connect directly to institution's finance system for billing and updating internal accounting numbers.  This is an enormous challenge which requires administrative support; routing internal funding is a moving target and shouldn’t be the burden of scientists.  But this may be beyond your inquiry.

I like the policy whereby billed time always starts at scheduled time but allows for people to leave early (a minimum billed time, e.g. one hour, could be in the system) or allows people to work past the scheduled time with no need for user to do anything except log out when done.

Happy to talk privately about our experiences attempting to have a sane auditing/billing system, the successes and failures, and issues with implementing.

Best regards-

Michael Cammer, Sr Research Scientist, DART Microscopy Laboratory
NYU Langone Health, 540 First Avenue, SK2 Microscopy Suite, New York, NY  10016
[hidden email]  https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nyulmc.org_micros&d=DwIF-g&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=YXUNEcJ3YadLlkQ5KkPX1MhoxJ2Ct5aVMCr87xZqykk&s=U6T_AakHax0lnn8obInZVef0PxdQcrPa5zQX0-8ICg0&e=  https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__microscopynotes.com_&d=DwIF-g&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=YXUNEcJ3YadLlkQ5KkPX1MhoxJ2Ct5aVMCr87xZqykk&s=pk6vWMWj7xTUk0Uod0onFqCozt0mRih7iiyHYPUJptE&e=
Voice direct only, no text or messages:  1-914-309-3270 and 1-646-501-0567


-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Hanna Sas Nowosielska
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 11:50 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

Dear All,

In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor
users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the
users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss
and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard
to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about
your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there
any easy way to do it?

Thanks,
Hanna
--
Hanna Sas-Nowosielska

Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function
Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology
Warsaw, Poland

------------------------------------------------------------
This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender by return email and delete the original message. Please note, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The organization accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.
=================================

[0000001ed7f52e4a-dmarc-request]

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Regarding the connection to the institute's finance system: Our PPMS system generates a csv file which is directly read into the finance system, this makes life much easier for the finance people and usually works smoothly. Obviously it needs the user to supply us with the right codes for their grants and someone to check if the info is correct and the grants not yet expired. The user cannot book without this information or when the grant exceed the expiry date. However these dates can change (grants can be extended) and here it would be good if our system directly links to the university grant database and updates this info. The other point is that user information can change, e.g. a master student continues as a PhD student, supervisors change etc., again it would be good to have this info automatically synchronised with the university systems. My only fear is that such a system gets too complicated and fail more often than manually putting in the information, but I am sure this will come one day.
Our PPMS system uses the university authentication system for logins and this works usually smoothly, but sometimes individual users cannot log in because something beyond our control is wrong and we have to wait for IT to fix it. Very rarely (once or twice a year?)  the whole authentication shuts down and needs to be restarted by IT, until this is done nobody can use the booking system (microscope can still be used and usage is recorded).
best wishes
Andreas


-----Original Message-----
From: Cammer, Michael <[hidden email]>
To: CONFOCALMICROSCOPY <[hidden email]>
Sent: Fri, 28 Sep 2018 19:17
Subject: Re: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

*****
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*****

The best way, IMHO, would be to have a two part system where the parts talk to each other.  Optional 3rd part.

1.  Online scheduling system. 
2.  Each users logs in using their unique ID.  This unique ID is served out and allows for file permissions on remote servers etc.  Logging is performed via login/logout of computer.  (You can set up a script to give you a list of all logouts logins, but even with some programming applied to simplify the list, still requires human intervention.)
3.  An additional 3rd part could be login in to the online scheduling system to turn on/off a hardware or software interlock for equipment that is not controlled by computer or doesn’t allow for individual logins.

The goal of the system is to audit all usage and allow for complex reporting (e.g. "How many Diabetes Center users worked after hours on confocals in the last FY?") with no staff time doing tallies, spreadsheets, etc.

The online scheduling system or addl database would compare scheduled times to logins.  Also, connect directly to institution's finance system for billing and updating internal accounting numbers.  This is an enormous challenge which requires administrative support; routing internal funding is a moving target and shouldn’t be the burden of scientists.  But this may be beyond your inquiry.

I like the policy whereby billed time always starts at scheduled time but allows for people to leave early (a minimum billed time, e.g. one hour, could be in the system) or allows people to work past the scheduled time with no need for user to do anything except log out when done. 

Happy to talk privately about our experiences attempting to have a sane auditing/billing system, the successes and failures, and issues with implementing.

Best regards-

Michael Cammer, Sr Research Scientist, DART Microscopy Laboratory
NYU Langone Health, 540 First Avenue, SK2 Microscopy Suite, New York, NY  10016
[hidden email]  http://nyulmc.org/micros  http://microscopynotes.com/ 
Voice direct only, no text or messages:  1-914-309-3270 and 1-646-501-0567


-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Hanna Sas Nowosielska
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 11:50 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

Dear All,

In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor
users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the
users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss
and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard
to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about
your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there
any easy way to do it?

Thanks,
Hanna
--
Hanna Sas-Nowosielska

Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function
Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology
Warsaw, Poland

------------------------------------------------------------
This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender by return email and delete the original message. Please note, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The organization accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.
=================================

[Moulding, Dale]

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Dear Hanna,

Another vote for PPMS from Stratocore. Been using this for 3 years, and it works brilliantly.
We use Institute logins and the PPMS tracker to log all user time on windows systems. Found a lot of previously unbooked out of hours use. Also users tend to look after equipment when they know all usage is logged.
Billing and reporting are very good too.
We've had some problems with the user tracking, there are a few ways for determined users to circumvent it.
Hadn't realised there was a automatic user deactivation. I'll be implementing that asap.

Cheers

Dale




Dale Moulding PhD FRMS
ICH Light Microscopy Facility
UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
30 Guilford St
London WC1N 1EH
Mob: [phone]

Please acknowledge use of the BRC funded facility in all publications:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ich/core-scientific-facilities-centres/confocal-microscopy


-------- Original message --------
From: "Alison J. North" <[hidden email]>
Date: 28/09/2018 23:24 (GMT+00:00)
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

*****
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*****

Hi all,

We too use the PPMS from Stratocore. I usually keep quiet on such questions, since it was partly written within my facility, but we no longer receive any free access (we keep paying to use it though) so I think it's fair for me to comment nowadays.

When we started using it, I soon worked out that about 30% of the time booked on our systems is not used, and also about an equal proportion of time used was never booked. Thus charging for a combination of time booked AND additional time used does indeed make a big difference to cost recovery - which can far outweigh the cost of paying for a good facility management software, whichever one you choose.

The flexibility and options within the PPMS are ideal for an imaging facility, which is not surprising since it was largely written by somebody who worked in two different microscope facilities. We have also asked them to add many additional features over the past few years. My favourite new one, which we requested earlier this year, is the option of automatically deactivating a user on a certain microscope after a specified time of being inactive on that system - e.g. 3 months.  We have implemented this to avoid the typical problems (such as equipment damage or last-minute requests at 5pm on a Friday for instant re-training!) that crop up when somebody was trained on a microscope and returns a year later...  They have to contact us to get reactivated, at which point we test them on the system. The particularly nice thing is that you can deactivate the same person on one system but choose to leave them active on other systems, e.g. the image processing workstations or a more basic microscope.

Hope this is helpful,
All the best,
Alison

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID


Louis Kerr <[hidden email]> wrote:

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Post images on https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.imgur.com&d=DwIF-g&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=YXUNEcJ3YadLlkQ5KkPX1MhoxJ2Ct5aVMCr87xZqykk&s=Gkhnib5IZvYbzMBpmky4GYpIV_U1f5EaO_lDYcwQueA&e= and include the link in your posting.
*****

We use PPMS from Stratacore as some others have mentioned.  Users register for an account through the online system, the core gives the users rights to approved instruments and then users can reserve time through the schedule. Once at the microscope users need to log in to get past a security screen. This starts real time logging using the tracker option so they will be charged for actual usage plus any unused scheduled time if you choose this option.


There are plenty of configurations and options plus lots of possible reports.


We charge an hourly rate and income did increase which might offset the cost of implementation.


Louie


Louie Kerr | Director, Imaging Services; Staff Scientist
Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA  02543
508-289-7273 | [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]> | www.mbl.edu<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.mbl.edu_&d=DwIF-g&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=YXUNEcJ3YadLlkQ5KkPX1MhoxJ2Ct5aVMCr87xZqykk&s=dYeV_qYaxrI5RGKK-1kFc38XKOmSfaqIhXjrJygaBJs&e=>




________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on behalf of Cammer, Michael <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 1:48 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
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Post images on https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.imgur.com&d=DwIF-g&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=YXUNEcJ3YadLlkQ5KkPX1MhoxJ2Ct5aVMCr87xZqykk&s=Gkhnib5IZvYbzMBpmky4GYpIV_U1f5EaO_lDYcwQueA&e= and include the link in your posting.
*****

The best way, IMHO, would be to have a two part system where the parts talk to each other.  Optional 3rd part.

1.  Online scheduling system.
2.  Each users logs in using their unique ID.  This unique ID is served out and allows for file permissions on remote servers etc.  Logging is performed via login/logout of computer.  (You can set up a script to give you a list of all logouts logins, but even with some programming applied to simplify the list, still requires human intervention.)
3.  An additional 3rd part could be login in to the online scheduling system to turn on/off a hardware or software interlock for equipment that is not controlled by computer or doesn’t allow for individual logins.

The goal of the system is to audit all usage and allow for complex reporting (e.g. "How many Diabetes Center users worked after hours on confocals in the last FY?") with no staff time doing tallies, spreadsheets, etc.

The online scheduling system or addl database would compare scheduled times to logins.  Also, connect directly to institution's finance system for billing and updating internal accounting numbers.  This is an enormous challenge which requires administrative support; routing internal funding is a moving target and shouldn’t be the burden of scientists.  But this may be beyond your inquiry.

I like the policy whereby billed time always starts at scheduled time but allows for people to leave early (a minimum billed time, e.g. one hour, could be in the system) or allows people to work past the scheduled time with no need for user to do anything except log out when done.

Happy to talk privately about our experiences attempting to have a sane auditing/billing system, the successes and failures, and issues with implementing.

Best regards-

Michael Cammer, Sr Research Scientist, DART Microscopy Laboratory
NYU Langone Health, 540 First Avenue, SK2 Microscopy Suite, New York, NY  10016
[hidden email]  https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nyulmc.org_micros&d=DwIF-g&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=YXUNEcJ3YadLlkQ5KkPX1MhoxJ2Ct5aVMCr87xZqykk&s=U6T_AakHax0lnn8obInZVef0PxdQcrPa5zQX0-8ICg0&e=  https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__microscopynotes.com_&d=DwIF-g&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=YXUNEcJ3YadLlkQ5KkPX1MhoxJ2Ct5aVMCr87xZqykk&s=pk6vWMWj7xTUk0Uod0onFqCozt0mRih7iiyHYPUJptE&e=
Voice direct only, no text or messages:  1-914-309-3270 and 1-646-501-0567


-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Hanna Sas Nowosielska
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 11:50 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

Dear All,

In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor
users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the
users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss
and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard
to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about
your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there
any easy way to do it?

Thanks,
Hanna
--
Hanna Sas-Nowosielska

Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function
Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology
Warsaw, Poland

------------------------------------------------------------
This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender by return email and delete the original message. Please note, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The organization accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.
=================================

[Steffen Dietzel]

*****
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Am 28.09.2018 um 22:23 schrieb Alison J. North:
> My favourite new one, which we requested earlier this year, is the option of automatically deactivating a user on a certain microscope after a specified time of being inactive on that system - e.g. 3 months.
Alison, where within PPMS can this nice feature be activated? I couldn't
find the setting. Thank you for suggesting this to Stratocore.


As for the original question, you might have guessed we also use PPMS.
Sadly we do not have University login available so we create an account
for each new user on each machine. Since we do it since day 1, it is not
really a problem. It is also our way to allow a user to use the system
after training.

Steffen

--
------------------------------------------------------------
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

[Periasamy, Ammasi (ap3t)-2]

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Hello,
We use Infinity Core Management software by Idea Elan LLC at our Keck Center to manage our imaging facility and to track actual usage of instruments. Users have multiple options to start actual usage of the instrument.
Users can start actual usage from IE Infinity mobile app, or from the desktop actual usage tracker application or directly from the calendar page. There is no manual task involved it's all automatic after the quick initial setup.
Infinity provides a lot of options for advanced reports and invoicing options based on actual or scheduled or combination of actual and scheduled usage time.
Hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Ammasi

Dr. Ammasi Periasamy
Professor & Center Director,
WM Keck Center for Cellular Imaging,
Department of Biology, University of Virginia,
90 Geldard Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA.

http://www.kcci.virginia.edu/people/profile/ap3t
Phone: [phone] or 982-4869
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [hidden email]

FRET/FLIM Workshop-March 11-15, 2019: http://www.kcci.virginia.edu/workshop 

-------- Original message --------
From: "Alison J. North" <[hidden email]>
Date: 28/09/2018 23:24 (GMT+00:00)
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
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*****

Hi all,

We too use the PPMS from Stratocore. I usually keep quiet on such questions, since it was partly written within my facility, but we no longer receive any free access (we keep paying to use it though) so I think it's fair for me to comment nowadays.

When we started using it, I soon worked out that about 30% of the time booked on our systems is not used, and also about an equal proportion of time used was never booked. Thus charging for a combination of time booked AND additional time used does indeed make a big difference to cost recovery - which can far outweigh the cost of paying for a good facility management software, whichever one you choose.

The flexibility and options within the PPMS are ideal for an imaging facility, which is not surprising since it was largely written by somebody who worked in two different microscope facilities. We have also asked them to add many additional features over the past few years. My favourite new one, which we requested earlier this year, is the option of automatically deactivating a user on a certain microscope after a specified time of being inactive on that system - e.g. 3 months.  We have implemented this to avoid the typical problems (such as equipment damage or last-minute requests at 5pm on a Friday for instant re-training!) that crop up when somebody was trained on a microscope and returns a year later...  They have to contact us to get reactivated, at which point we test them on the system. The particularly nice thing is that you can deactivate the same person on one system but choose to leave them active on other systems, e.g. the image processing workstations or a more basic microscope.

Hope this is helpful,
All the best,
Alison

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID


Louis Kerr <[hidden email]> wrote:

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We use PPMS from Stratacore as some others have mentioned.  Users register for an account through the online system, the core gives the users rights to approved instruments and then users can reserve time through the schedule. Once at the microscope users need to log in to get past a security screen. This starts real time logging using the tracker option so they will be charged for actual usage plus any unused scheduled time if you choose this option.


There are plenty of configurations and options plus lots of possible reports.


We charge an hourly rate and income did increase which might offset the cost of implementation.


Louie


Louie Kerr | Director, Imaging Services; Staff Scientist Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA  02543
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________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> on behalf of Cammer, Michael <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 1:48 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

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The best way, IMHO, would be to have a two part system where the parts talk to each other.  Optional 3rd part.

1.  Online scheduling system.
2.  Each users logs in using their unique ID.  This unique ID is served out and allows for file permissions on remote servers etc.  Logging is performed via login/logout of computer.  (You can set up a script to give you a list of all logouts logins, but even with some programming applied to simplify the list, still requires human intervention.) 3.  An additional 3rd part could be login in to the online scheduling system to turn on/off a hardware or software interlock for equipment that is not controlled by computer or doesn't allow for individual logins.

The goal of the system is to audit all usage and allow for complex reporting (e.g. "How many Diabetes Center users worked after hours on confocals in the last FY?") with no staff time doing tallies, spreadsheets, etc.

The online scheduling system or addl database would compare scheduled times to logins.  Also, connect directly to institution's finance system for billing and updating internal accounting numbers.  This is an enormous challenge which requires administrative support; routing internal funding is a moving target and shouldn't be the burden of scientists.  But this may be beyond your inquiry.

I like the policy whereby billed time always starts at scheduled time but allows for people to leave early (a minimum billed time, e.g. one hour, could be in the system) or allows people to work past the scheduled time with no need for user to do anything except log out when done.

Happy to talk privately about our experiences attempting to have a sane auditing/billing system, the successes and failures, and issues with implementing.

Best regards-

Michael Cammer, Sr Research Scientist, DART Microscopy Laboratory NYU Langone Health, 540 First Avenue, SK2 Microscopy Suite, New York, NY  10016 [hidden email]  https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nyulmc.org_micros&d=DwIF-g&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=YXUNEcJ3YadLlkQ5KkPX1MhoxJ2Ct5aVMCr87xZqykk&s=U6T_AakHax0lnn8obInZVef0PxdQcrPa5zQX0-8ICg0&e=  https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__microscopynotes.com_&d=DwIF-g&c=JeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK1YmxXez1G3oNStg&r=RBx0-WJrAO5vwSOLNmFbqYvikvIZS5ns3-USwvMOuLo&m=YXUNEcJ3YadLlkQ5KkPX1MhoxJ2Ct5aVMCr87xZqykk&s=pk6vWMWj7xTUk0Uod0onFqCozt0mRih7iiyHYPUJptE&e=
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-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Hanna Sas Nowosielska
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 11:50 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Monitoring user working hours in microscopy core facility

Dear All,

In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there any easy way to do it?

Thanks,
Hanna
--
Hanna Sas-Nowosielska

Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Warsaw, Poland

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[Alison J. North]

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Hi Steffen,

Apologies for cluttering the mailbox of people who don't use the PPMS,
but for those who are interested...

You go to "Settings" - then "Create/edit system" - pick the system
you're interested in, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the
system parameters, and there is a box called "user_right_expiration" in
which you type your number in days.

I'm assuming this option is now in the standard software, but if not,
contact your Stratocore person?

Best,

Alison


On 10/1/2018 8:30 AM, Steffen Dietzel wrote:

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> and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Am 28.09.2018 um 22:23 schrieb Alison J. North:
>> My favourite new one, which we requested earlier this year, is the
>> option of automatically deactivating a user on a certain microscope
>> after a specified time of being inactive on that system - e.g. 3 months.
> Alison, where within PPMS can this nice feature be activated? I
> couldn't find the setting. Thank you for suggesting this to Stratocore.
>
>
> As for the original question, you might have guessed we also use PPMS.
> Sadly we do not have University login available so we create an
> account for each new user on each machine. Since we do it since day 1,
> it is not really a problem. It is also our way to allow a user to use
> the system after training.
>
> Steffen
>

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Alison J. North, Ph.D.,
Research Associate Professor and
Senior Director of the Bio-Imaging Resource Center,
The Rockefeller University,
1230 York Avenue,
New York,
NY 10065.
Tel: office ++ 212 327 7488
Tel: lab     ++ 212 327 7486
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[Ben Abrams]

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Hi Hanna,

I use this tool, https://www.worktime.com/ but it does require me to
have individual Windows logins for every user.

-Ben

On 9/28/18 8:49 AM, Hanna Sas Nowosielska wrote:

> *****
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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,
>
> In our microscopy core facility, we are trying to find a way to monitor
> users working ours on our systems. This is particularly important for the
> users working outside facility staff working hours. After talking to Zeiss
> and Leica service, it seems that setting user accounts on Windows is hard
> to do, especially with over 100 users. Thus, I would like to ask you about
> your experience. How is this monitored in your core facilities? Is there
> any easy way to do it?
>
> Thanks,
> Hanna

--
Benjamin Abrams,  Ph.D.
Facility Manager
UCSC Life Sciences Microscopy Center

University of California, Santa Cruz
1156 High Street
150 Sinsheimer labs
Santa Cruz, CA 95064

Office/voicemail: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]

http://stemcell.soe.ucsc.edu/facilities/microscopy

Training Request Form:
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[Thomas Horn]

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Dear Hanna,
We are using the free lab resource management system IRIS since several years now and we are very happy with it. We manage about 50 instruments/resources in our two facilities with IRIS.  It has all the features that a facility needs for allowing users to make reservations and keeping tight control on the usage of the instruments. It has extensive statistics features that allows you to extract all the numbers you need (grouped by users, groups, projects etc.), shows graphs on the statistics and allows to export the numbers. Moreover, we can also monitor the exact usage i.e. if the reservation-holding user started to use the machine in time or if he/she went over the time. Also, you can enforce rules such as "not more than 30% of total time/month can be reserved by one group" etc. There is a ton of communication features: request for training, mailing lists for notifications, subscription to resources to get notified when a slot frees up and more. We even manage the control of the biosafety regulations by having in IRIS approval procedures in place that involve the biosafety officers of the groups to assure we really know what the users bring into the facility and that it is used at the instruments designed to handle those organisms. Maybe it is worth for you to have a look at IRIS. Here is the link: https://iris.science-it.ch
The people who created IRIS are working at the Friedrich Miescher Institute in Basel (Contact: Dean Flanders). They were very responsive to feature requests and we were able to shape IRIS quite a lot to fit our needs.

Best regards,
Thomas

Dr. Thomas Horn,
Head of the Single Cell Facility<https://www.bsse.ethz.ch/scf> and
Laboratory Automation Facility<https://www.bsse.ethz.ch/laf>
Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE)
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH)
Mattenstrasse 26, U1.46
CH 4058 Basel
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