page_title: Standardization in Lab Automation
section_title: Alternatives
hierarchical_section_title: Standardization in Lab Automation / Alternatives
caption_attribution_description: English: Fig. 1: Schematic description of: a, the usual configuration for the integration between two instruments controlled by a computer; b, a possible configuration when using scripting to integrate two instruments. The dashed line in a indicates that the computer control of instrument B is optional, while the continuous lines indicate necessary control between two components.
context_page_description: The SiLA consortium is a not-for-profit membership organization formed by software suppliers, system integrators and pharma/biotech companies. This consortium for Standardization in Lab Automation, develops and introduces new device and data interface standards allowing rapid integration of lab Automation hardware and data management systems. Highly skilled experts of member companies contribute in SiLA's technical work groups. Membership is open for institutions, corporations and individuals active in the life science lab automation industry. The SiLA consortium provides professional training, support and certification services to suppliers and system integrators implementing SiLA compliant interfaces.
context_section_description: An alternative to SiLA has been proposed, with the argument that standardization for the integration of laboratory instruments is not really necessary. This alternative is the use of scripting languages, like AutoIt, to control the software that control the instruments. 
  The main advantage of this approach over standardization is that there is no need to wait for any effort by the industry in order to achieve instrument integration: everything that is needed is already available.
  Another advantage is the easy adoption of open-source hardware integrated with commercial instruments.
  Several examples of this approach have been presented in the literature:
  AutoIt for Lab Automation
  Autosampler for elemental analyses
  Autosampler for gas chromatography
  Autosampler for gamma-ray spectroscopy
  Integration of instruments by different manufacturers
caption: Schematic description of: a, the usual configuration for the integration between two instruments controlled by a computer; b, a possible configuration when using scripting to integrate two instruments. The dashed line in a indicates that the computer control of instrument B is optional, while the continuous lines indicate necessary control between two components.
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