Recent BSI News

July 19, 2010 - BSI Version 7.2 Released!

Version 7.2 is now available with the following enhancements plus many more:

  • BSI Easy Interface
  • Usability Enhancements to BSI Web Site
  • Usability Enhancements to Locations
  • Customizable Toolbars
  • Drag and Drop Records Between Tables
  • BSI Easy Quick Search
  • Data Entry Forms
  • Study Reservations for Location Management
  • Web Shopping Cart
  • Right Mouse Button Tasks
  • Withdraw Task
  • My Favorite Locations
  • Or Search Mechanism
  • Printing Subject Fields on Labels
  • Check L2 Errors in Requisition Task Dialogs
  • Discrepancy Tracking in Requisitions
  • Default View for Requisition Dialogs
  • New User Preferences

For a preview of the new features, check out the recorded Webinars.

July 7, 2010 - IMS is an authorized caBIG support services provider

IMS is pleased to be a caBIG® support service provider.  In this role, IMS will adapt and enhance existing caBIG® compatible software systems under the caBIG® initiative conducted by the National Cancer Institute Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology (NCI CBIIT). The caBIG® development methodology and tools associated with the caCORE Software Development Kit, SDK, will be utilized to extend existing caBIG® compatible software products. As necessary, new object models and common data elements may need to be developed utilizing CBIIT’s repository, the Cancer Data Standards Repository (caDSR). The Common Security Model (CSM) and caAdapter will also be utilized as required by the particular application or tool. In addition, de novo development of caBIG® compatible software will be provided.

IMS has also implemented a Common Biorepository Model (CBM) interface for the BSI system.

Contact us at caBIGSupportServices@imsweb.com for further information.

June 29, 2010 - BSI Version 7.2 To Be Released!

Version 7.2 is scheduled for release the weekend of July 10th - 11th. The release will include the following enhancements plus many more:

  • BSI Easy Interface
  • Usability Enhancements to BSI Web Site
  • Usability Enhancements to Locations
  • Customizable Toolbars
  • Drag and Drop Records Between Tables
  • BSI Easy Quick Search
  • Data Entry Forms
  • Study Reservations for Location Management
  • Web Shopping Cart
  • Right Mouse Button Tasks
  • Withdraw Task
  • My Favorite Locations
  • Or Search Mechanism
  • Printing Subject Fields on Labels
  • Check L2 Errors in Requisition Task Dialogs
  • Discrepancy Tracking in Requisitions
  • Default View for Requisition Dialogs
  • New User Preferences

For a preview of the new features, check out the recorded Webinars.

June 10, 2010 - BSI Version 7.2 To Be Released!

Version 7.2 is tentatively scheduled for release the weekend of July 10th - 11th. The release will include the following enhancements plus many more:

  • BSI Easy Interface
  • Usability Enhancements to BSI Web Site
  • Usability Enhancements to Locations
  • Customizable Toolbars
  • Drag and Drop Records Between Tables
  • BSI Easy Quick Search
  • Data Entry Forms
  • Study Reservations for Location Management
  • Web Shopping Cart
  • Right Mouse Button Tasks
  • Withdraw Task
  • My Favorite Locations
  • Or Search Mechanism
  • Printing Subject Fields on Labels
  • Check L2 Errors in Requisition Task Dialogs
  • Discrepancy Tracking in Requisitions
  • Default View for Requisition Dialogs
  • New User Preferences

IMS will host three on-line webinars, covering various topics, to demo these features the week of June 21st. BSI beta version 7.2 will be made available to users for user acceptance testing at this time.

March 2, 2010 - BSI Hosting Hardware Upgrade

IMS has upgraded the servers that provide hosting for the BSI transaction server. The new configuration has over 4 times the power of the old units, and is able to handle the increasing load of the new customers choosing BSI for their tracking needs.

Nov. 19, 2009 - BSI 7.1.7 Released

In addition to many database specific enhancements, a user preference was added to turn off server caching.

Nov. 9, 2009 - BSI 7.1.5 and 7.1.6 Released

  • A tool has been added to Location Management that will remove extraneous box locations.

  • A user preference has been added to set the default view level for box contents.

  • A comment can now be added when using cut and paste or drag and drop in Location Management.

  • Cut, Copy and Paste options have been added to the right mouse button menu for all editable tables.

  • The date a task is added is now being recorded on a vial level in requisitions.

  • Subject Attributes can now be exported and imported to a new set of attributes.

  • Users can now see what studies they are authorized for in their user profile.

  • A standard report has been added that will return the first BSI ID for all Samples returned by the search.

Oct. 6, 2009 - BSI highlighted in DCEG newsletter

The BSI system was highlighted in the July issue of DCEG linkage

The Division's biospecimens are tracked using the Biospecimen Inventory Processing System (BSI-II), which stores information on each specimen as well as any modifications made to it over time.

"Congress has asked NIH how it tracks its samples," Dr. Zahm said. "We greatly value the details of a good inventory system and the agreements that document how biospecimens can be used when they are transported to or from NIH."

Shelia Hoar Zahm, Sc.D., DCEG Deputy Director

Sept. 8, 2009 - BSI 7.1.4 Released

Version 7.1.4 Was released with the following enhancements:

  • A user preference has been added for a default label specification.

  • A starting Sequence can now be specified for Microarray Cores and a starting Sample Id can be specified for the Microarray vial when completing Microarray tasks.

  • A warning will appear on the importer summary if invalid characters are found and removed during import.

Aug. 10, 2009 - BSI 7.1.3 Released

The following new features were released:

  • The database name is now listed on the task bar when the BSI client is minimized.

  • Users can now define subject attributes that allow multiple values.

  • Users can now track a outgoing shipment's location by clicking on the tracking number link on the BSI Web listing or by selecting the Track option from a ship or transfer task column header menu, on the BSI Client.

  • A new user preference (under Tools/User Profile) was added to allow users to set default Assign BSI IDs values.

May 22, 2009 - BSI 7.1.1 Released

A monthly update for BSI was released today, with the following modifications:

  • Specimen records with a "Reserved" Vial Status are no longer required to have locations. This modification should speed up completing Aliquot, Process and RTI tasks in Requisitions.

  • Users must now first enter an old password when adding a new password.

  • Speed improvements were made for sorting in large batches.

  • Speed improvements were made for deleting rows in large batches.

  • Several minor enhancements were made to the Subject and Subject Attribute modules, including better display of error messages, allowing users to press ENTER to activate the Subject module Quick Search, and the correction of an issue with inactivating Subject Attributes.

April 27, 2009 - BSI 7.1 has been released!

This release contains many new features including:

  • Microarray Task - A new requisition task to assist in the creation and tracking of microarrays
  • Auto Save of Editable Tables
  • Display Requisition Vial Task Data in a Right Mouse Button Pop-up
  • Prompt Users to Open Requisition after Submit
  • Requisition Task Templates - Users can save a template of requisition tasks and properties. Users will be able to apply the template to add all the tasks at once.
  • Requisition Default Column View - Users can save the default non-task column view in requisitions. This feature is similar to saving default views for managers.
  • Quick Specimen Search - A new form-based search interface will allow users to quickly look up specimen data.
  • Calendar Widget to Assist with Entering Date Values
  • Specimen Viewer - Right click on a BSI ID to open a dialog listing specimen and historical data for the BSI ID.
  • Launch http Links in Tables
  • Print the Container Preview Tables - New Location Management feature.
  • Export Manifest Option
  • Scan to Completed a Ship Task
  • Study Permission to Edit Study Data,
  • IP Label Printing - Print directly to a printer by configuring the printer's IP address in the Configuration dialog.
  • Launch Network Drive Links in Tables
  • Vial Drag and Drop - New Location Management feature. Users will be able to move individual specimens by dragging and dropping the specimen into a new box slot.
  • Subject Module - This module is available upon request in order to track subject data. Study-level-security must be implemented to support this module.
  • Workflow Module - Enforce BSI process steps by creating workflow checklists. Users can then open an instance of the check list to track progress.
  • Discrepancy Task - A new requisition task that allows users to track discrepancies in requisitions.

March 9, 2009 - See BSI at ISBER

IMS will be attending the ISBER 2009 Annual Meeting on May 12-15, 2009, in Portland, Oregon. Please stop by our booth to see the exciting new features in the latest release!

Jan. 30, 2009 - IMS becomes caBIG service provider

IMS is pleased to announce that it has been named a caBIG Support Service Provider by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). caBIG Support Service Providers are independent entities that are approved by NCI as meeting specific criteria for performance of support services related to caBIG needs.

Jan. 30, 2009 - BSI 7.0.3 Released

  • Create and Modify Microarray tasks were added to the available Requisition tasks. These tasks will aid users in creating and tracking micorarray specimen. We will be demoing this task on-line in the upcoming month.

  • A Discrepancy Task was added to the available Requisition tasks to allow users to denote and track discrepancies found in requisitions. We will be demoing this task on-line in the upcoming month

  • For databases with Study-Level Security, Local Administrators at Custodial Repositories can no longer assign the authorize users study permission.

  • Current Label was expanded to accept values of up to 40 characters.

  • A new Material Transfer Agreement Ship Task property was added. This property must be filled in in order to complete a Ship Task

Dec. 31, 2008 - BSI 7.0.2 Released

  • An issue with the Requisition Date Modified updating when Change ID batches are committed has been resolved.

  • Additional specimen data was added to the Requisition Suggest Alternatives dialog.

  • Selecting Vial Task Properties from a Requisition task column header menu no longer generates an exception.

  • Source ID is now cleared when a Blinded requisition is created.

  • In the Requisition Editor, the Shipping Box Data is now retained after a Transfer task is completed. The Shipping Box Data will also appear on the Shipping Document report after a Transfer task is completed.

  • A problem with Requisition Task Properties not saving in Pending requisitions was corrected.

  • Shipment and Requisition manifests, uploaded via BSI Web, can now be exported from the Shipment and Requisition editors. On the editors, select Tools/ Export Manifest.

  • On the Shipment Manager, selecting a Shipment batch and pressing the Track button, no longer generates an error.

Dec. 24, 2008 - BSI 7.0.1 Released

A monthly update for BSI was deployed with the following fixes and feature requests:

  • Material Type is now available on the Assign Child BSI IDs dialog when beginning an Aliquot or Process Task.

  • Requisition task data is now displayed when you right click in a cell in a task column on the Requisition Editor.

  • Issues with assigning row and col in a serpentine pattern when assigning shipping box data for a Ship task were corrected.

  • Users can now search on Entry Batch when adding specimens to a shipment batch.

  • More Task Destination data, including the destination address, is displayed when printing from the Requisition editor.

  • Matching rows are now highlighted in the Child Completion dialog after import.

  • Issues with opening existing requisitions were corrected.

  • For databases with study level security, the list of studies available for searching on BSI Web is now limited to only studies to which the current user has access.

Oct. 20, 2008 - BSI 7.0 Released

BSI 7.0 has been released! With an enhanced security model, blind specimen task, direct committing, right mouse button support, support for kits, and much more!

Feb. 17, 2008 - BSI 6.3.1 released!

BSI 6.3.1 was released Sunday, February 17th with the following fixes and features:

  • For Databases with Location Management, users will now have the option to assign locations by selecting locations from the tree-view in the Location Wizard.

  • An issue that allowed users to select more than one search field in a search statement was fixed.

  • Occasionally, users would get an exception when logging on to the BSI client due to the News failing to load on the Home tab. This issue has been fixed.

  • Child vials from a completed Aliquot task with an Include status of Returned will no longer appear in the Aliquot Task report.

  • A new requisition user preference was added that, when selected, will allow users to view both the requisition task icon and data (such as combination id or task order)in a task column on the Requisition editor.

  • Exiting the Specify Children dialog will no longer close the Request Available Child BSI IDs dialog.

  • The extra Requisition ID fields were removed from the Select Requisition Fields list on the search dialog.

  • A Track button was added to the Shipments Manager, which, if the shipment has a valid tracking number, will open the Web site of the currier in order to display the status of the selected shipment.

  • An issue with the Requisition Status not updating if User Server Caching was not selected was fixed.

  • A Menu item was added to the Shipment Editor View menu that allows users to toggle between manifest and data entry data for all columns.

Jan. 20, 2008 - BSI 6.3 released

The major enhancements in this version include:

  • Role-based Security - Local Administrators can use the new Roles module to create roles based on user groups. Instead of assigning permissions to a user, roles containing user permissions are assigned. If a permission for a user group changes, rather changing each users account, the one role will be updated.

  • Context Sensitive Help - Use Help ( or ?) buttons or the F1 key anywhere in the system to open a related help topic.

  • Pool Vials - When beginning an aliquot task, select Parents to combine and the child to combine them into and press the Combine button. The BSI ID of the child vial, will now be listed as the parent vial's Combination ID.

  • Create Aliquots from Templates - When beginning an aliquot task, select a data entry template to create a specified number of child vials and enter default data.

  • Create a Different Number of Children per Parent - When beginning an aliquot task, you can specify a different number of children per parent.

  • New Relational Mapping - When creating reports the new relational mapping will allow you to join more tables.

  • New Contact Fields - Additional fields can be tracked for BSI contacts, upon request.

In order to release version 6.3, BSI will be taken off line at 5:00 pm on January 18, 2008. The new version will be available by start of business on January 21, 2008.

Oct. 23, 2007 - BSI at ASCB 2007!

IMS will be hosting a booth at the annual American Society for Cell Biology conference in December. Stop by our booth for information and demonstrations of the system!

Oct. 15, 2007 - BSI 6.2.3 Released!

BSI 6.2.3 was released today with the following fixes and feature requests

  • The Shipment Study ID was expanded so that users no longer get an error when entering long Study IDs.

  • An issue with the cursor in the Mass Change dialog was fixed.

  • An unoccupied space report has been added to the standard inventory reports.

  • The OK button will now be enabled after confirming a new password.

  • The on-line help was updated

Oct. 1, 2007 - BSI is caBig Bronze Certified

IMS is pleased to announce that BSI is caBIG bronze level certified. At this point that is the highest level of certification available to commercial applications. In addition, BSI currently meets most Silver level criteria. IMS fully intends to make BSI silver level certified as soon as caBIG provides that level of certification to commercial applications.

The objective of caBIG™ is to provide a framework to access data from disparate data resources with the ultimate goal of develop a truly collaborative information network that accelerates the discovery of new approaches for the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer, ultimately improving patient outcomes. IMS has been an active participant in caBIG™ since its inception, participating in such things as special interest groups and conferences.

The BSI caBIG™ Bronze interface allows users to begin using Common Data Elements (CDEs), controlled vocabularies, entire electronic case report forms, and other objects maintained in caDSR. This interface provides the capability for BSI to interact with other caBIG™ applications.

Please contact IMS if you have any questions!

July 7, 2007 - BSI 6.2 Released

Version 6.2 of the BSI client and server was released. This version includes several minor enhancements including:

  • Shipping box data, including Box Layout, Label, Row and Col can be entered for ship and transfer tasks by selecting Shipping Box Data from the task menu.

  • A Find option has been added to the Enforce Sequential Scan options.

  • An option has been added that will automatically open the Data Entry editor after transferring shipment vials.

And much more!

April 16, 2007 - BSI 6.1 Released!

Version 6.1 of the BSI client and server was released on April 15. This version includes over 300 fixes and enhancements. Included in this release is:

  • Faster communication between the client and the server. All communication is now compressed to improve overall system speed when reading large data entry batches, requisitions, and shipments.

  • An improved modifier selection and specification dialog. The dialog now shows you all current modifiers for you to select from instead of having to specify them yourself.

  • New Scanning Options - specify your starting row and column, new assignment orientations, and more.

  • Incoming shipments can now add vials from existing requisitions

  • Upgrade to Java 6.0 and PostgreSQL 8.2.3

And much more!

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