3818788734?profile=originalEmmet McQuillan is a Medical Scientist and Labware LIMS Administrator at the Public Health Laboratory, Cherry Orchard Hospital, Dublin. He recently attended the Labware 2016 European Customer Education Conference in Prague. 

Funding for this visit was provided under the Training and Mobility Funding Programme. More information on the programme is available here.

Visit Aims & Objectives
The Labware 2016 European Customer Education Conference (CEC) took place in Prague, Czech Republic from the 6th to the 10th of June. Over 450 people from companies and organisations throughout Europe, India, and the Middle East participated in the event.

The Labware CEC is the most important event of the year for both Labware and their customers. During this week-long conference, Labware aimed to showcase their latest ELN (Electronic Notebook) and LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) software products. Participants can enjoy educational and informative presentations by Labware staff and customers, participate in technical workshops, and in addition, become certified in the use and administration of Labware products. The CEC provides an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas, broaden knowledge, review all aspects of their system and reacquaint with colleagues.

Purpose & Relevance
The Hilton Hotel in Prague provided high quality conference facilities, including a large capacity congress hall, meeting rooms and a large gala dining room. The theme of the Labware 2016 CEC was “Get Connected”; the CEC focussed on “connectivity and better integration”. The latest Labware 7 product is the most adaptable and functionally complete LIMS system available and offers a proven solution for any size laboratory. 

The Public Health Laboratory (based at Cherry Orchard Hospital, Dublin) is one of seven Official Food Microbiological Laboratories (OFMLs) in Ireland that utilise Labware LIMS. LIMS is used throughout the scope of laboratory operations and is a cornerstone of laboratory accreditation.

Activities
Presentations were given by Labware and a selection their customers. Labware presentations included a global business overview, a European report, a report on new product developments, and a report on LIMS news from India. Customers such as SINTEF, Infineum and Scotlands Rural College (SRUC) presented an overview of their business and novel ways that LIMS is being used at their companies.

Breakout sessions covered more technical details of the latest Labware products. Sessions dealt with topics such as upgrading, system configuration, programming and areas of special interest. They were tailored to different levels of experience, from beginners to advanced system administrators.

Opportunities to socialise and network included a dinner with Labware in Pragues Letná park, and an evening event at the Hard Rock Café in Prague.

Added Value & realised/Anticipated Benefits of Visit
This CEC was brimming with new information and novel ideas on how to use Labware software. Participants got hands on experience with the latest version, Labware 7, which incorporates cutting edge features to improve workflows in the laboratory.

Attending the CEC has augmented my professional development as a Labware LIMS Administrator. While at the CEC I completed the Labware LIMS Administration Level 2 training, and I am now a certified Labware LIMS Administrator. I feel more confident to configure LIMS and create new functionality that will meet the changing needs of a busy medical laboratory. As the demands on the Public Health Laboratory evolve, our LIMS system will continue to progress, improving laboratory efficiencies through the use of information technology.

Transfer of Knowledge
Participants return from the CEC with a range of technical manuals, training documentation and presentation handouts. Labware have made all presentations shown at the 2016 CEC available to download via their support website.

Conclusions & any recommendations
Overall the conference was excellent and highly relevant to Irish and European customers. I would recommend that all Labware administrators attend a CEC, in order to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in Labware systems. I would like to thank the Public Health Laboratory and safefood for the opportunity to attend this conference.

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