Versatile CDS/Operating Software needed.

[paulw]

Hello,

I am a longtime reader but first time poster. I appreciate the knowledge present here as a resource and am going to attempt to tap into it for the first time.

Currently the company I work with is attempting to move to one CDS/Operating Software for multiple systems. We currently use Galaxie software to operate our Varian ProStar HPLCs. We also have a number of Perkin Elmer series 200 HPLC systems that are using TotalChrome. We have done some searching and questioning but have received a lot of noncommital answers as to if there is a CDS/Operating System that would both run and process both makes of HPLCs. We have found that we can use one processing software if we run through a data conversion box, but we would really like to have one software for operating and processing.

I was hoping that someone here might know of a CDS/operating software that would meet our needs, or even possibly have first hand experience with a software that is compatible with both systems.

If we're really going for icing on the cake, we also have a Thermo TSQ Quantum Access Max LC/MS. We would love if the software would operate all three, however we're content to have the LC/MS on a standalone software.

Paul W.

[unmgvar]

i think that it will be hard to find a CDS that can control Varian HPLC
at least on the side of the major ones like empower, chromeleon or ezchrom

[Tod]

i think that it will be hard to find a CDS that can control Varian HPLC
at least on the side of the major ones like empower, chromeleon or ezchrom

Hi unmgvar:
Is there any CDS instrument support list for empower, chromeleon or ezchrom?

I am a technician from a testing company and very interested in CDS that could control and management different instrument simultaneously.
while i am always confused that how could a software could control their competitor's product?
there should be plenty of technical obstacles that are very hard to gain (as it should be a commercial sercret)

In the future, is there any possibility that comes a software could control nearly all vender of the chromatography instrument?

that would be very funny.

[Csaba]

Hi,
I'm sure that you can get the latests list of supported instruments for both EZchrome and Chromeleon without problem from the vendors. At least Dionex can/could develop custom drivers, if you make the order sweet enough (number of instruments to control, how new they are- how possible that other customers also are interested in drivers for the same instruments, or the last convincing argument: extra payment). Waters with Empower is not good at supporting third party instruments, they have problems even with Agilent main instruments. Hope it helps. /Csaba

[DR]

A quick search of Google resulted in a series 200 brochure dated 2005.
I would hazard a guess that if current PE LC modules do not operate via the same interface as the series 200, then getting anyone to write anything new to control them will be a major challenge.

[varossf]

The OpenLAB CDS EZChrom controls the Series 200 pump, autosampler and UV detector but not the DAD.

[paulw]

Thanks for the responses everyone. As unmgvar guessed, the Varian HPLC are the sticking point. We can find plenty of CDS that will control the PE instruments.

We did talk with Dionex and they stated that the PEs would not be an issue, but they had no plans to develop anything for the Varian Prostars. Even Agilent wouldn't commit to supporting the Prostars on current/future CDS development.

This is the second place I have worked that had Varian Prostar HPLCs and I can honestly say I'd like nothing more for Christmas than to be given 15 minutes in a closed room with nothing but a Varian Prostar and a sledge hammer.

[DR]

...I can honestly say I'd like nothing more for Christmas than to be given 15 minutes in a closed room with nothing but a Varian Prostar and a sledge hammer.

I can assure you that you are not alone and that these feelings are quite normal.