Since 1990 we have been working for the human field for clinics. We got into the field for laboratory animals in the year 2000, when we won the public tender for one of the largest phenotype centres in Europe. First we wanted to finish our project and then go to the market.

Which databases are supported ?

When we first entered this market, we had SQLBase. Then, the system was ported to Oracle. At the end of 2002, we received an order to deliver a Sybase port. Sybase and Oracle are our recommendation for very large databases and many user accesses. SQLBase is good for small and medium-sized facilities and laboratories, which have only little database administration knowledge.

Which operating systems are supported ?

The databases Oracle and Sybase run under Windows and Unix including Linux. SQLBase runs under Windows and Linux. The application itself is a Windows application. Gupta has announced its development tools under Linux for the fourth quarter of 2004. Then we will also offer our system under Linux.

Can the system be accessed through the Web ?

Yes, of course. We provide web access with Thin ICA Clients and Citrix Metaframe Presentation Manager Architecture.

Does the system support different languages ?

Yes, it does. At the moment we support an English and a German version. We have developed software and a memory, which allows us to produce versions for other languages very quickly. In our system administration we have a module, which allows the system administrator to change the label of any visual object and store it in the database. This allows even mixed language versions e.g. for the scientists in English and for the caretakers in German.

Can an end-user change the layout of the screens ?

Yes, he can. We provide a module called Object Nationalizer, which allows complete user interfaces to be loaded and change. A user interface changed in such a way can be applied to its corresponding executable. This technique can be used to adapt the screen layout for devices, such as PDAs, tablet PCs and Palm Tops.

What kind of end-user device is supported ?

Any device is supported, which can run a browser and an ICA Client either as ActiveX or Java applet .

Does this include wireless technology ?

Yes, it does. These end-user devices are supported extremely well, even if only low bandwidth is available; even a modem operating at 28,000 Baud works well.

Does the system support off-line work in the animal facility ?

All moving of animals, such as moves, transfers, admissions and discharges as well as culling and weaning including the preproduction of cage cards are supported with the help of a job protocol. A caretaker only needs paper and pencil, or in an ideal situation a transponder reader, to perform all his jobs. Medical data can be recorded in paper forms and can be transferred to the central database afterwards. In case off-line devices are available, the data can be replicated automatically into the central database.

Will GCRS help me get a GLP certificate ?

Yes, definitely. All events in the facility and all changes in the medical records are recorded in the database on the one hand. On the other hand GCRS supports data protocol print-outs as documentation of the business processes.