Computerised animal house management system (CAMS)

Abstract

Data processing systems for the management of animal houses are available as individually tailored solutions to meet the specific requirements of different institutions in various sectors. After four years of use, a “proprietary system” (originally used by Boehringer/Mannheim), which was based on UNIFACE and ORACLE database software and consisted of a VAX station with eight terminals, was replaced by a PC-based multi-user system for administrative employees and animal technicians. The new system runs under the operating systems of Microsoft Windows 98 and Microsoft Windows NT and uses Microsoft Access 97 as the database software. A “multipurpose program system” was created in order to fulfil the following main functions: documentation and control of experimental plans and animal usage; registering changes in the number of animals available; controlling room use and animal storage areas; maintenance cost calculations for determining the cost of experiments and an evaluation of how animals are used and consumed.

CAMS (Computerised Animal House Management System) has a centralised / decentralised structure and is a user-friendly, interactive system which can only be accessed by authorised groups of users. You do not need to be highly skilled with computers to master the system. It can generate daily and monthly reports and any necessary documentation. Furthermore, it complies with the revised Animal Protection Act (1998; annual report on number of animals used), facilitates a detailed analysis of housing and the associated costs and provides options for documenting different types of experimental data.

For this reason, the system has become an increasingly important tool for the management of our own animal facilities and animal experiments as well as for external ones.