Overview

Compelling Innovation  

GraphLogic has taken industry-standard tools and used them to create a new and unique tool that fundamentally changes the way software systems are created.  PointDragon provides a new way of creating robust, enterprise-scale, Internet-ready applications in a fraction of the time typically required when using traditional software development methods and tools.  Applications developed with the PointDragon platform are based on an executable graph that incorporates all aspects of an application, including processes, user interfaces, and data repositories.  The unification of key aspects of a software application eliminates the need for the manual integration typically required when creating software via traditional code-based methods and reduces the amount of time needed to develop an application, allowing developers to be more productive.  The inherent flexibility enables developers to readily change and adapt an application to the evolving needs of its end users. 

Significant scientific need 

The data-intensive nature of today’s life science research processes, combined with the increasing need to adapt laboratory procedures to the evolving needs of the scientists, has created a need for tools that will enable fast and flexible development of robust LIMS applications.  PointDragon provides the LIMS application developer with a visual programming platform that allows for the rapid development of applications that are needed immediately.  The platform allows developers to quickly implement changes arising from the changing needs of research staff and their laboratory procedures. 

The increasing trend toward automation of data-intensive lab processes, both in the life sciences and the pharmaceutical sector, has created a need for laboratory data systems that can store and manage the data and metrics associated with these processes and their associated instrumentation.  Something as simple as a text-based output file from an automated lab system can become a data-management problem when the instrument is part of a key workflow.  The popular method of using Excel spreadsheets to manage instrument output files can quickly become cumbersome when employed on a daily basis.  PointDragon allows for the creation of customized utilities for managing instrument data, allowing for easy automation of statistical calculations and the generation of related metrics reports.  These utilities can then be easily integrated into an evolving, PointDragon-based LIMS application. 

The PointDragon platform allows an organization’s scientists to concentrate on research, instead of worrying about the logistics of collecting data from their research.  The PointDragon interactive development environment (IDE) allows developers to define complex applications without the use or generation of text-based code.  The IDE’s ease of use allows novice software developers and scientific staff lacking a formal engineering background to create complex, fully-functional, custom applications.  The platform’s fusion of application components into a single executable graph minimizes the IT and informatics headaches often associated with the establishment of laboratory data collection systems. 

How is the product different from earlier products and competitor’s products? 

The PointDragon platform possesses unique qualities that are unmatched by other enterprise application platforms. 

PointDragon allows an organization to focus on its core business of scientific research and innovation.  PointDragon makes life easier, both for LIMS developers and application end users.  The platform’s dynamic structure allows developers to make changes to an application’s functionality, even while the application is running.  This allows end users to test evolving features and modifications, and suggest changes or improvements during the course of the development process.  This shift in the relationship between development and testing helps ensure that the end users will get a system that truly serves their needs.  The flexibility in the platform’s  structure also allows for total custom LIMS design – clients are not limited to a pre-defined set of interfaces or functions.  The PointDragon platform’s integration of major software components eliminates the LIMS developer’s need to manually integrate interfaces with underlying functions and data repositories, allowing the developer to concentrate on the planning and overall design of the application.

PointDragon provides complete audit trail information – this is a feature that is inherent to the platform.  Audit trail tools are available as part of all laboratory applications built with PointDragon, not just those intended for regulated laboratory environments.  PointDragon’s unique auditing system makes audit-trails immediately available online, giving an organization’s relevant managerial staff immediate access to the complete activity history of each transaction.