Automated Pipette and Device Calibration and Management Software plus Multi-Channel Balance Support

Pipette Tracker Pro+ is an enhanced edition of the Pipette Tracker Pro software that enables the use of multi-channel balances such as the 12-channel SpeedCal balance from Sartorius, up to 5 Mettler MCPs and can connect multiple instruments simultaneously.

When used with a multi-channel balance such as the SpeedCal, a 12-channel, variable volume pipette calibration test can be completed in about 10 minutes!

Both the Pipette Tracker Pro and Pipette Tracker Pro+ editions have been designed to work together over a network using the same database. Only workstations that require the multi-channel balance support or the ability to collect data from multiple interfaces at the same time would need the Pro+ edition of the software.

Just like Pipette Tracker Pro, the Pro+ version schedules pipette and device calibrations, automates data collection during calibration, performs all calculations and corrections for gravimetric pipette calibrations, compares calibration results to accuracy and precision limits at each target value in real-time to assign ‘In Tolerance’ or ‘Out of Tolerance’ flags and produces all required reports. It is suitable for single and multi-channel pipettes and liquid dispensers of fixed or variable volume, as well as volumetric glassware or any other device that is calibrated using known standards.

• Meets FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance requirements
• Meets ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 8655, ASTM E1154, A2LA, ANSI and GLP requirements
• Automatically schedules pipettes, devices and standards for their calibration testing including those that are calibrated externally
• Automatically collects calibration and environmental data from any RS232 or TCP/IP interface
• Automatically collects calibration data from 12-channel Sartorius SpeedCal or up to 5 Mettler MCP balances
• Interface with multiple instruments at the same time
• Includes a database of manufacturers calibration specifications for over 1100 pipettes
• Maintains a complete calibration history for all pipettes and devices including the traceability details on the standards used for each calibration
• Update calibration status of externally calibrated devices and attach electronic copies of their certificates
• Supports Oracle and SQL Server databases
• Includes 5 modes for performing calibrations: Addition, Addition-Tare, Subtraction, Subtraction-Tare, and None.
• Corrects for environmental conditions (Z-factor) and cubic expansion during pipette and volumetric device calibration tests
• Performs all calculations associated with pipette testing
• Includes Expanded Uncertainty and Best Measurement Capability values with calibration data
• Automatically assigns ‘In Tolerance’ or ‘Out of Tolerance’ flags to each result during the calibration and ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’ once the run has been accepted
• Prompts user to perform preventative maintenance when maintenance task action limits fail after an As Found calibration
• Records list of maintenance tasks performed prior to an As Left (As Calibrated) calibration run
• Interactive charting of data to compare against accuracy limits and select and re-do samples during calibration

Meet 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance Requirements

• User ID and Passwords control access to all areas of the software, assigning appropriate security access levels to each individual user
• Integrate security system with Windows security
• Electronic Signature challenges can require the user to confirm their identity before carrying out critical functions
• The Audit Trail function logs all system activity and changes, using date and time stamping
• All changes are recorded along with who made the change and why the change was made
• A workstation can be automatically locked out if left inactive for a specified period of time, preventing undocumented access to an unattended workstation
• Pipette Tracker Pro includes the components required to meet with the FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11 compliance requirements.

Improved Organization and Access to Pipette Calibration Data

Information including serial number, manufacturer, pipette type and pipette location is permanently recorded into the database for each device. Pipette Tracker Pro+ can also track and store information about the pipette tips used for a calibration. All test results are saved for each pipette providing a full calibration history for each pipette, which can be accessed at any time.

Maintaining a full and secure electronic record of calibration testing results and scheduling eliminates the need for maintenance of paper-based records.

Control the Instruments from the Software

Pipette Tracker Pro+’s bi-directional command feature can send any command to an instrument that it is capable of receiving and responding to these commands.

When used with the Sartorius SpeedCal, Pipette Tracker Pro+ communicates with the 12-channel balance to automatically tare, activate and light up the channels to dispense the next sample into. When the balance is ready, the software prompts the user to add the sample then select OK to retrieve all channel’s weight values.

When used with Mettler MCP’s, the software collects the data that is automatically output from up to 5 balances without sending any commands. As each weight value is sent from each balance, the software adds the results to appropriate balance column then prompts the user to add the next sample to the next available balance and start its weighing process.

Pipette Tracker Pro+ includes a library of pre-configured balance, scale and other instrument interfaces.

View Balance and Instrument Interface Library

Cycle Timer for Pipette Calibration

ISO 8655 identifies uneven rhythm and timing as a potential source of error when pipetting. The standard further recommends that, when testing pipette, the test cycle time be kept to a minimum and be kept as regular as possible.

Pipette Tracker Pro supports the standard by including a Cycle Timer that provides an audible prompt that helps the analyst to pipette at regular intervals. Because it is an audible prompt, the analyst can work accurately and precisely without having to be located right at the computer. The use of the Cycle Timer to promote consistent cycle times increases the accuracy of the calibration process.

Full Automation of All Calculations

Pipette Tracker Pro+ performs all calculations in accordance with the requirements as defined in ISO 8655 and capable of calculating the expanded uncertainty of each mean in accordance with GUM (Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty, Type A) at the 95% confidence level.

Environmental variables that are often responsible for adversely affecting gravimetric test results during pipette and volumetric device calibrations are automatically taken into account. During calibration runs, evaporation, temperature, barometric pressure and relative humidity are immediately factored into mass-to-volume calculations as sample results arrive at the computer from the balance.

Automated Scheduling

Pipette Tracker Pro+ automatically schedules calibration testing for all pipettes and devices in the database by automatically checking each pipette and device record against the current date to determine if testing is due.

Automated scheduling ensures that regular testing takes place without incurring the cost of having to manually monitor pipette and other device testing intervals.

Reporting

The Pipette Tracker Pro+ software includes standard reports for calibrations, worklists, inventory, calibration history, trend analysis, barcode labels and more that are automatically installed. A powerful report editor gives users access to existing templates and all fields within the database as well as other files such as incorporating your company logo image right into the report allowing users to easily create new highly customized reports. Each report can not only be generated as hard-copy print-out but also export as a Text, Excel®, HTML, Tagged Image or Adobe Portable Document (.pdf) file.

Examples of just some of the templates included with the Pipette Tracker software:


Detailed Calibration with Graph | Calibration Label with Barcode | Accuracy Trend Analysis | Calibration Certificate