OpenLab CDS Chemstation C.01.03

[sga]

We are a very small lab with a single 1100 and a B.01 version of Chem-station and Spectral Module.

Our SW is running on an old XP since it is a pre-requisit for this version of CS. But I think this machine can go down any time and therefore I want to make a switch, to some thing that can run a Win7. Also I like to take home that data after it is generated and work on it in comfort.

After having read a bit on this issue, I am now thinking of getting my self a OpenLab CDS Chemstation c.01.03. Now I don't have any experience on this software, however what I understood was that this would replace the existing B version to control the 1100 and would also allow me to evaluate the data on a separate machine.

Is this Correct ?
Is the spectral module part of this C.01.03 or do I need to buy another spectral module ?

Also I read a lot about easy of reporting etc. Is this really true, is this reporting part of this OL CDS CS or do we need to buy even more software to do the reporting ?

Any other feedback on this would be of great help.

[dhobbs]

The same OpenLab software will allow basic instrument control, 3D spectral control/analysis, and data analysis only on a second machine, but my understanding is that you would need a separate license for each of these three functions. Also be aware that the diagnostic functions are no longer available in OpenLab; you'll need to install Lab Advisor software to perform those functions.

Agilent no longer sells B.04.03 installation media, but if you were able to find a copy, it can run on Windows 7 and you'd be able to use your existing ChemStation licenses on that software (assuming you first uninstalled ChemStation B.01 from the XP machine).