By using LEADTOOLS ePrint, Guava Technologies now has the ability to simulate a database without needing to implement a database, rewrite existing software or regenerate records.

the Situation:

Guava Technologies makes analytical instruments for cell biology research. Their applications are designed to provide validated protocols that combine ease-of-use with high reproducibility. In their manufacturing process, the user can generate several data-tables from custom software. Also, the final test process computes and tabulates several instrument parameters and calibration values. During the evolution of these processes, various pieces of software were created to control and characterize the instrument and perform instrument calibration. The software did not provide any method to electronically store this data - only printouts. They had over 8 gigabytes of data from their instrument manufacturing records.

It was determined that providing a database feature would take several months of effort to implement. On top of that, a database system would need to be created with associated queries and reports to extract the data. This effort would be expensive and bring along an increase in overhead due to the required maintenance of a database.

the Solution:

Guava tried LEADTOOLS ePrint and determined they were able to implement electronic extraction of the existing data. They used a document format to "print" the report from our software and wrote a MS-Word macro to parse the resulting file. “Using MS-Excel, I was able to collect the desired data and analyze it,” Andre Chow, Senior Manufacturing Engineer. All this was accomplished in about 2 days from my own desk. Without a means to convert print-ready records into electronic form, this process would have forced me to implement to previously described method.

Furthermore, this is an on-demand process meaning that we do not need to tie-up system resources extracting datafiles that we may not ever need. LEADTOOLS ePrint is also flexible enough to permit a batch process in the future.

For more information about LEADTOOLS ePrint Professional, visit the product home page here.