The document "The Integration of Laboratory Systems" contains both a discussion of the problem and a proposal to moving forward to solving it. We don't see this as a decades-long effort. Our initial project's purpose is to evaluate one existing solution and determine what it will take to implement it on a broader basis. We are looking for modest funding (far, far less than you are loosing in real dollars and productivity without a path to integration) for a proof-of-concept program that will result in a set of recommendations for moving forward.

We are looking for support from a number of end-users and vendors for two reasons:

• to keep the cost per sponsor low, and,
• by having broad support we'll have a solid basis for moving forward once the work is done. We don't want this simple to be the ILA's viewof how things can get done, we want it to be your point of view as well. It will take the support of vendors, end-users, and ourselves to fix a problem that has been in place for far too long.

If you would like to change the way lab automation is done, join us. You can begin by reviewing the document and letting us know what you think. Email us at: ILAinfo@InstituteLabAuto.org

If you would like to discuss this by telephone, send us a note so that we can arrange a time.