Upgrade to Overlord3

With all the features of Overlord1, Overlord Workstation, Overlord Scheduler and Overlord2 plus many more. Take this opportunity to upgrade to Overlord3, the world's favorite independent laboratory automation software.

categories laboratory automation schedulers Overlord3 lab auto control software Overlord3 drivers Overlord3 remote control 3rd party equipment control Overlord3 software development kit user access control for Overlord3 Assay Manager interface for Overlord3 Upgrade to Overlord3 Redd & Whyte Preddator dispenser is powered by Overlord3

 

Operating system	Overlord1	Overlord Scheduler	Overlord2	Overlord3
Windows 2000	yes	yes	yes	no
Windows XP	yes	yes	yes	yes
Windows 7	no	no	no	yes

 

Overlord3 offers an advanced, yet easy to use, control software interface for laboratory automation workcells. Features include:

• Error free automation, saving you time and money - your automated system is up and running in the shortest possible time. Once running, Overlord3 provides the highest level of reliability requiring minimal attention.
• Which scheduler to use - a thing of the past. Overlord3 always presents the optimal solution - guaranteeing your laboratory the highest possible throughput.
• 405 instrument drivers to control equipment from 127 manufacturers - this means, in most cases you are up and running right away. If a driver is not available, it can be rapidly developed, at a low cost and added to our library.
• Reliable, hassle free assay automation - Overlord3 works 24/7. Advanced error recovery ensures that, should an error be encountered, the system can react and attempt to continue the run, without any intervention.
• Operators love using the software - Overlord3 is quick and easy to use - load the labware, hit run and walk away! Setting up procedures are a lot easier in Overlord3.  Also the ability to run multiple plates simultaneously is a lot easier. 
• Simplification of procedures - Complex round robin procedures in Overlord2 to use all the peripheral effectively (i.e. plate 1 is on a later stage of the process than plate 2, which is on a later stage of the process than plate 3 is possible, but difficult to do. On Overlord3 it is easy.
• Overlord3 is the integration and scheduling software of choice - from simply loading an instrument with plates or the most complex assay involving many instruments and multiple robots.
• Overlord3 the most cost effective solution - priced per socket (the number sockets is the number of instruments being controlled) makes Overlord3 cost effective no matter the size or complexity of the application.
• Overlord3 is available through many systems integrators and instrument vendors or direct from paa - you can benefit from Overlord3 - specify that your systems integrator uses Overlord3, as your automation platform.

Most of these features have been added or enhanced since the previous Overlord versions (Overlord Workstation, Overlord1, Overlord Scheduler and Overlord2). See below on how to upgrade to Overlord3, you won't regret the change.

Overlord has always been a front runner in automation on the latest Windows platform. As Microsoft Windows has moved from Windows 3.31, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 7, Overlord has been modified or rewritten to ensure the Overlord3 application runs reliably.

Microsoft has changed a large number of features in Windows 7. A number of key functions have been removed, other functions have been added in the operating system. Overlord3 has been upgraded to function within this new environment.

Microsoft are moving away from DCOM as a way of communication with external peripherals, this will effect the control software offered by the instrument manufacturers.

In summary, Overlord3 is ready for Windows 7, this does not mean that all automation systems can be run or upgraded to run on Windows 7.

Overlord3 can be purchased in two forms,

• Overlord3 (basic), the Overlord2 compatible event-driven scheduler
• Overlord3 (advanced), which is Overlord3 (basic)  plus the dynamic Scheduler engine

What would the signification advantage be in using Overlord 3 for an application over Overlord2 ? Setting up routines with a serial nature a lot easier in Overlord3 (advanced). Also the ability to run multiple plates simultaneously is a lot easier. Setting Overlord2 to use all the peripherals effectively (i.e. plate 1 is on a later stage of the process than plate 2, which is on a later stage of the process than plate 3 is possible, but difficult to do. On Overlord3 (advanced) it is easy.

Is there an Overlord 3 advantage in the computer operating system used (Windows 7 instead of Vista or XP)? Overlord2 and Overlord3 are very similar, the problem will be with the drivers, the older VB drivers will not function on Windows 7, but will function on Windows 7 (XP Virtual mode). We are upgrading the VB drivers (Windows 7 incompatible) to .NET drivers (Windows 7 compatible) as required.

Is there a significant functional advantage to Overlord3 versus Overlord2 ? The key differences are:

• for simple applications (do this, then do this, then do this) Overlord3 (advanced) is better although Overlord3 (basic) can do these procedures
• For timed applications (like an incubation), then Overlord3 (advanced) is superior
• For complex applications, Overlord3 (basic) has major advantages over Overlord3 (basic)

All the features of Overlord2 are mapped into Overlord3. The existing Overlord2 instrument drivers and procedures are 100% compatible. The key steps are:

• back up Overlord2
• uninstall Overlord2
• install Overlord3
• start running !

You will get the additional features of:

• time resolved scheduling
• consumables tracking

There was a major change in the way Overlord procedures are stored between Overlord Workstation and Overlord3. Unfortunately, all the existing procedures have to be rewritten for this upgrade. Overlord Workstation and Overlord3 will co exist, so it is possible to have both products running to aid the rewriting of the procedures. All the existing instrument drivers will still function. The key steps are:

• back up Overlord Workstation
• install Overlord3
• run Overlord Workstation and Overlord3 simultaneously
• call up each Overlord Workstation procedure in turn and produce an identical copy in Overlord3

There was a major change in the way Overlord procedures are stored between Overlord Scheduler and Overlord3. Unfortunately, all the existing procedures have to be rewritten for this upgrade. Overlord Scheduler and Overlord3 will co exist, so it is possible to have both products running to aid the rewriting of the procedures. All the existing instrument drivers will still function. The key steps are:

• back up Overlord Scheduler
• install Overlord3
• run Overlord Scheduler and Overlord3 simultaneously
• call up each Overlord Scheduler procedure in turn and produce an identical copy in Overlord3

Call paa +44 1252 373000 and ask for Overlord3 upgrades or email paa for more details.