Share thisImplementing a comprehensive computerized tracking system in your animal room involves analyzing your current system, developing requirements, researching available solutions, preparation of the site and staff, and finally, implementation. It is not an easy task, but the rewards more than make up for the original cost and effort.
Imagine the following scenario: you enter your local bank and stroll up to the wizened old man peering through pince-nez glasses sitting behind the counter. You hand him your paycheck. He scrawls the amount into the huge ledger lying in front of him and adds up the new total. He then transcribes the information from the ledger into your bank-book and hands it back to you with a wavering thank-you.
How would you like your salary to still be handled that way? Are you relieved it is an outdated approach?
Back when transaction loads were small, this kind of system worked in many settings. Nowadays, computers allow people to escape the transcription error, laborious double-entry, and lack of processing power inherent in these methods. The ever-growing amount of information makes this increasingly important.
What about the data generated in your animal research setting? Are you happy with the current management tools? Implementing a computerized tracking system involves several steps. While not easy, it is worth the effort.
Implementing a Comprehensive Tracking System in the Animal Room
Wired, wireless, or neither?
The first step in implementing a comprehensive tracking system is to put information sharing capabilities in the animal room. If your organization currently has limited networking or is reluctant to explore connectivity options, consider the following remark about cleanroom wireless deployment in a factory setting, “The wireless integrated network (WIN) project demonstrated convincing ROI [Return On Investment] to support worldwide deployment…The solution enhanced communications among …staff, reduced errors, lowered costs, and increased productivity.”1At the very least, having a networked computer in the animal room allows data transmission from the site of data collection. A wireless system, complete with real-time, cage-side data acquisition through the use of barcode scanners, transponder readers, and environmental systems monitoring can reduce transcription errors and the cost of physically wiring your animal rooms, eliminate double-entry of data, and increase data capture efficiency. There are many resources available for setting up a wireless network.