title: SiLA: Basic standards for rapid integration in laboratory automation.
abstract: A standard (SiLA, Standardization in Lab Automation) that focuses on the connection between sample processing devices and a software system for automation gains acceptance. This article reports about the creation and contents of the first set of standard specifications developed during the first 2 years. These specifications-named Device Control and Data Interface Specification, Common Command Dictionary, and Data Capture Specification-describe how devices are connected to a software controlling the interplay of the devices, the command sets for various device classes, and the structure of result data such as data generated by microtiter plate readers. A section about SiLA-compliant products and pilot projects using SiLA-compatible devices for system integration gives an idea about the acceptance of the standard in the marketplace.
authors.affiliation: Infoteam Software AG, Stäfa, Switzerland. baer@infoteam-software.ch
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bär
authors.forename: Remo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hochstrasser
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Papenfub
mesh_terms: D057205:Automation, Laboratory / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D012984:Software; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods