General Software Archives - INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE

Who Has Time to Cleanse Date/Time Data?

Gary Rooksby — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 10:00:03 +0000

Text data that needs to be matched with pre-defined data sets is often seen as most challenging. But what about innocuous date and time fields – surely they can’t be difficult? Oh yes they can! Here are four tips to avoid many potholes and maintain data accuracy. Tip 1 – Be consistent There are two distinct types of time-related data – points in time and durations. Points in time, such as dates of birth may simply require the date. However, sometimes a time element is very important e.g. when a sample was taken or frozen. Always use the same data type for storage – “Datetime” is best. Durations are more challenging. You need to be clear about the accuracy you need. Do you need a number of hours, minutes or seconds or even higher accuracy? Once you have your definition you must stick strictly to it for that field. You can then record the number of units – the lowest unit e.g. seconds, as an integer. Tip 2 – How are empty values interpreted? The rules around what “empty” means can be vague for date fields and this is the most common issue. However, making such a field mandatory doesn’t […]

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Authentication and why it’s important

Paul Ward — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 09:14:34 +0000

The purpose of authentication is to confirm that a user is who they say they are. The authentication example most of us are familiar with is when signing-in to a website using a username and password. The username part of this combination is who the user claims to be. While the password is a way to confirm they are who they say they are. The website will verify the two pieces of information provided. If the password supplied matches the password for the username, sign in will be allowed. If the password doesn’t match, sign in will be denied. You can see that for anyone who possesses those two pieces of information, it would be possible to successfully claim to be someone else and impersonate their identity. This is why as a user we keep passwords secure by: Not reusing – Across different sites, services and applications Not writing down – On a Post-it note or in an email Avoiding the obvious – None of the most common Not sharing – With colleagues or family members Going long – The longer the password length, the harder it is for someone guess Methods for securing accounts and passwords There are other […]

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Training Users in Lockdown

Ann-Marie Lee — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 09:00:48 +0000

How can I deliver training with interactive examples, effectively via a ‘live online’ format? It may seem daunting but being aware of the specific challenges this can present, and making some basic changes, you can make it work. Be aware: There will be more technical/IT challenges, especially if delegates are working from home Delegate’s access to IT equipment and good internet connection will vary Working from home will bring additional distractions and background noise The training will take longer How to adapt: Look at the training structure; will the running order still work? Update it to run smoother Practical examples – encourage delegates to wait until you have finished showing them. Break the example up into smaller chunks and check with all delegates before continuing. Break the training up into manageable length sessions; 2hrs maximum works well Include a recap at the start of each session Film the session Check in more regularly with delegates to ensure they are keeping up, especially with practical examples Lastly, keep delegates informed of when the sessions are and what their content will be. This way delegates can choose how to balance their work responsibilities around the content they need to attend.

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Planning for Data Quality with Limited Resources

Gary Rooksby — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:47:04 +0000

Whose job description includes “ensure that the data you use and record is of maximum quality”? Not many. However, it’s an absolute requirement of pretty much anybody in the modern workplace. Data is king. Good data can inform business decisions that bring immense success. But, equally, bad data can cripple a business. So, we know it’s important but we will rarely have time to stop our daily job and work on improving the quality of data we already hold. We need tweaks to our processes that maximise quality as we go along. Assign Ownership Who’s responsible for the data that needs to be cleansed? If it’s “everybody” then nobody will take responsibility. Ensure that for each piece of data your whole team knows who, specifically, is responsible for its quality. Think what it’s needed for and by whom If a set of data has only a single use or few users then it’s easy to scope the data quality requirements. If it’s for general use by many users then you need to think harder about accuracy, completeness, period of validity, etc. Understand limits to quality of existing data If you’ve inherited a set of really poor data then consider the […]

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People and Software Collaboration on a Global Scale

Sharon Williams — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 08:00:23 +0000

As I write this article the UK is in lockdown in attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. Never in my lifetime did I think I would see something so momentous. I feel like I’m living through history. What I took for granted just over a week ago, like going to work, is now no longer possible and already feels like a lifetime ago. In this very unprecedented and uncertain time I’ve seen the worst in people but also the best in people. Neighbours helping each other and companies once in competition working together. It’s collaboration on a completely different – and phenomenal – scale. Software is proving to be a huge enabler in all this. How software is helping us all through this health crisis At this moment in time, many people are trying valiantly to work from home – juggling kids, worrying about loved ones and thinking about when they need to buy toilet rolls (we’re down to 10 – is it time yet?). It’s technology and, ultimately software systems, that are allowing people to keep in touch, entertain children and themselves, buy essentials and carry on working. And who doesn’t love a telephone or video conference with […]

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Achiever Software’s continuous evolution and use of modern technologies mean it just keeps on getting better!

Sharon Williams — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 14:13:58 +0000

For those of you unfamiliar with the much-loved comedy character Trigger from the British sitcom ‘Only Fools and Horses’, he claims he has had his road sweeper’s broom for more than 20 years. But he then goes on to say that it’s had 17 new heads and 14 new handles! It sounds the same when we talk about Achiever. Although the product has been around for more than 20 years, it is almost unrecognisable from how it started out in life. However, at its core it’s still the same. Essentially, we set out to create a product that fits your requirements, that you can change quickly and easily and that grows with you. And, hopefully, as our 20 years’ plus history shows – we have more than achieved and proved this. Reinventing our products so you continue to grow You can’t afford to stand still – or you’ll just get left-behind. And as your business keeps adapting – whether it’s to environmental, social, political, legal or economic changes – the software supporting you also needs to evolve. Over the years, we have made significant changes to our Achiever systems. We designed and created our Achiever CRM and Achiever Medical lab […]

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The importance of collaboration in scientific research – and how your software can help

Sharon Williams — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 09:15:03 +0000

As a research lab, biobank or pharmaceutical organisation your colleagues, partners, suppliers and donors are essential to your success. Without your facilities, equipment, technology, infrastructure and resources you would be unable to carry out your valuable research. And without your peers you would not be able to share new approaches, resources, successes – and just as importantly, failures. All of which help you to get where you need to quicker. You should not underestimate the importance of collaboration in scientific research in all its guises. But what can you do to help make it happen and can your software systems help? Improve your visibility For people to work with you, they first of all need to know about you and what you can offer. You need to become visible. To quote the author A.A. Milne, “You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” There are a number of ways in which you can increase your visibility. As a Biobank offering biological samples you can register your Biobank with the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) or BBMRI-ERIC. UKCRC has an excellent Tissue Directory of Biobanks that […]

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Protecting your data from potential internal security breaches

Sharon Williams — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 08:58:03 +0000

When it comes to protecting your data and systems you will have security in place to stop external access and attacks. But recent events show that a security breach can just as easily come from inside your own company. When thinking about your information security you should consider protecting your data from potential internal as well as external breaches. And these internal security breaches could come from people and users who have authorised access to your systems, such as IT teams, administrators and system users. How do you provide maximum protection for your data whilst still allowing your teams to do their jobs? Who really needs access to your data – and who can actually see it? When considering internal system access you will no doubt have thought very carefully about making sure you only give the relevant users access to the systems and data they need. You will have put password policies in place to make sure your users change their passwords regularly. And that the passwords they do use conform to some format to make sure they are strong. You may also have linked your systems to LDAP or Active Directory for secure user authentication. But what about […]

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Why don’t all software systems encrypt sensitive or personal data?

Sharon Williams — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 11:27:16 +0000

The scientific research and healthcare sectors are constantly being reminded that they must protect sensitive and patient confidential data at all times. These are ingrained in their standard operating procedures and they understand too well the potential consequences of any data breaches. The need to encrypt sensitive or personal data is at the forefront of their system requirements. In our Achiever laboratory information software, we encrypt patient identifiable data as standard. In fact, it was the creation of our laboratory management software that drove our encryption methods and enhanced data security capabilities. To meet the needs of the research community that was using human biological samples, it was imperative that our software could protect this very sensitive, and valuable data. Not just from external access – but equally from unapproved people within the same lab or team. But other businesses also hold personal and sensitive data in their Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems for example. How many of these systems hold your data in an encrypted format? Who has access to your sensitive data in your CRM system? We all know that our medical records are held in an encrypted format. But what about all the data that you hold […]

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7 signs you have outgrown your current software

Sharon Williams — Fri, 31 May 2019 13:04:15 +0000

You spent months (if not years) searching for the best software to do what your teams wanted. You devoted many hours speaking to your teams to get a list of requirements that you could then document as part of a tender. You evaluated suppliers, took up references and confirmed with procurement your chosen system was value for money. The software was installed – possibly with a few hiccups along the way – and you eventually went live. Your team are using it and your job is done. Isn’t it? You are constantly learning and evolving Your business does not stand still. Changes in legislation, politics and environment can all have an impact. You are also constantly learning and adjusting as you discover new things. Add to this, the almost daily updates regarding technology and the release of new or upgraded equipment. Given all this, it is extremely likely that the processes you followed two years ago are different – though in some instances it may only be slightly – to those you follow today. Your business goals and objectives have probably also been adjusted. But what about your software that underpins all this? Every time you made a slight tweak […]

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