Abstract
James DSterling, Ph.D. ALA President Keck Graduate Institute
As the Association for Laboratory Automation, ALA represents the collective voice of our professional specialty. As ALA grows in size and scope, and as ALA's voice becomes more prominent throughout the scientific community, ALA relies more and more on data collected via timely, pertinent, and professional surveys rather than anecdotal commentary to express the views of our industry.
In 2006, ALA conducted a comprehensive survey among industrially employed members, representing the research and development components of 37 different companies in pharmaceutical, biotech, and agricultural science. The results were reported in JALA 12.4 August 2007.
ALA now is poised to begin the 2008 version of this survey with hopes to expand its reach to a broader scope of members. Many of the questions in the 2006 survey relate to large macro trends, such as what factors limit the use of automation in laboratories. ALA will revisit those topics in 2010. In the meantime, the 2008 survey will drill down into some of the particular trends that emerged from the 2006 survey.
For example, the 2006 survey indicated that limiting factors have shifted from basic mechanical factors, such as throughput and reliability, to more science-related factors, such as developing and validating new automated methods. The 2008 survey will ask more detailed questions about these science-related limitations with hopes that what is revealed will suggest solutions.
In addition, the 2008 survey will take a more in-depth look at the automation lifecycle, and where respondents in different scientific areas perceive themselves to be in that lifecycle. The balance between commercial off-the-shelf versus customized solutions, as well as other specific lab automation trends from the 2006 survey will be assessed.
ALA members and many others are eager to hear the results of this 2008 survey. If you are asked to participate in this or any other ALA survey, please give it your full cooperation. As lab automation professionals, we all benefit from having meaningful benchmarks available. With your thoughtful input, ALA surveys build those benchmarks, and assist us in finding unique pathways to greater individual success.
Sincerely,
