Chromatography Forum

Dear all
i worked only Ailgent Chemstation Software now im going to work Empower i want to know which is best and what difference
pls help out

This is largely going to be a matter of personal preference.

Personally, I like Empower better because I believe it has more powerful integration capabilities available to the analyst. Additionally, I always felt that Empower software had far more capabilities than ChemStation.

On the other side of the coin, I do not think that there is anyone out there that will not say that Empower is significantly more difficult to learn than ChemStation due to learning curves required. However, once the learning curve is passed, it is much easier to use Empower.

On a regulatory side, I have yet to see a fully 21 CFR 11 compliant software package from Agilent. The last I knew, Agilent was working on one (about 1 year ago), but this package was still largely a pipe dream. Empower is 21 CFR 11 compliant right out of the box.

This is largely going to be a matter of personal preference.

On a regulatory side, I have yet to see a fully 21 CFR 11 compliant software package from Agilent. The last I knew, Agilent was working on one (about 1 year ago), but this package was still largely a pipe dream. Empower is 21 CFR 11 compliant right out of the box.

Whilst, I agree that it's personal preference, needs also depend on your regulatory and work environment.

I doubt many labs can choose instruments solely on software functionality, they buy the hardware and local support, and then try to obtain the software that works best, usually consistent with what they already have to reduce training issues. Easy-to-use is very desirable for non-regulatory environments with diverse users ( eg walk-up instruments in research synthesis labs ) .

Software compliance to 21 CFR Part 11 is dependent on the installation and qualification, and I'm not great fan of Agilent's software, but the local support has been excellent.

I have no experience with Empower, but have used Chemstation for while. A local lab waited over 12 months for the local agents to completely qualify their new Waters HPLC systems to 21 CFR. The installer wasn't properly trained for the software, and the repair person wasn't formally trained to reinstall the software after an early repair performed under warranty.

Whilst working in a 21CFR part 11 environment, I found Agilent's Chemstore C/S system robust, if somewhat limited in integration and reporting. Cerity Standalone was/is a disaster, but EZChrom seems OK - so far.

As far as I know, Chemstore C/S and EZChrom are fully compliant when installed and qualified, as would be Cerity - until the first disappearance or lockup during routine operation.

Software is part of the package laboratories purchase to meet their needs, so users have to adapt, and every vendors package has strengths and weaknesses, so you work within those.

Bruce Hamilton

The nicest thing about Empower is Apex integration - if your chromatography is anywhere close to being good, integrating w/ this algorithm is a snap.

There is a learning curve, so buy one of your new coworkers lunch now and then and have them look over your shoulder until you get the hang of it.

There are Empower & Empower2 tutorials on the Waters web site that will at least get you collecting data.

Thank you All