Case Study: Archive of Vials

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Setting - Pharmaceutical Research Lab

Objective - Print very small bar code labels. Plates were being stored at low temperature. Integrity of the system was key. Numbers could not be duplicated. Sequencing of the number was custom and unusual.

Evaluation - The user needed to get lists of numbers to print from existing network. This interface would benefit from being very simple. There was limited space on the vial and the labels had to be small. Labels would have to be durable enough to be stored at -70 Celsius. Also needed was a number list generator with complex logic for putting together large lists from few instructions.  We also noted that the users of the system were reasonably proficient with computers. The system would have to be easy to use and rock solid in it's accounting of numbers.

The System - One Windows95 laptop and a thermal transfer printer with adequate capacity for this narrow web label application. We incorporated a number of modules we had already developed for other clients. This kept the costs down. Below, we have listed some of these modules and their benefits.

 

Key Components and Their Features / Benefits
Databasing - We maintained an archive of the numbers which were printed. This archive would have to be accessed fast as it would be evaluated for every printed item as they were loaded into the list or printed. The user could get a list to print from the existing network in a standard format. They could also generate a list from the "Wizard" (see below). Upon printing, the user would be notified if particular numbers had already been provided. The user could over-ride the system if needed.
Ultimate Printer Connectivity - Due to their small size and engineered materials, it was important to use these labels wisely. We could not have the printer run-on, out of control or print lots of blanks. First, we incorporated an existing label design that conserved materials. We grouped the numbers for efficient printing and utilized a printer that had a "backfeed" mechanism. The user could pause or cancel the printing on either the software or the hardware and it was immediately recognized by the other component. The printing process can be paused or cancelled without extra supplies being wasted.
Bar Coding - The unique sequencing of the label number also required that the human readable interpretation be slightly different than the bar code. Because the design of the labels was compiled for each label printed, we had ultimate flexibility and could even change the layout of the label based on field values.
Complete User Interface - The items chosen (by either import or the wizard) are presented to the user in a list form. There is also an "archive status" to show if the item has ever printed by the system. Printing starts where the user has positioned the cursor. The cursor proceeds through the list as the printer prints. The items are marked as archived as they are entered into the database. The user can Pause the printing. The user can Cancel the printing. The user can restart printing and move the cursor to move the starting point. The application is 32 bit Windows95 and will run in the background if needed.
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