Lab2Lab Data Exchange Using ATML

Electronic Exchange of information between businesses (B2B) have reached levels of maturity over the years, establishing a backbone for electronic commerce built up on top of standards for data exchange such as UN/EDIFACT, ebXML and cXML etc. Standardizing electronic exchange of calibration information is becoming more and more relevant as assets are distributed across the world with limited centralization even within organizations. There are a number of vendor specific lab management tools and automated test equipment with a wide array of formats for capturing and storing calibration information. A protocol and standard that allows for electronic exchange of laboratory information will reduce the need for paper based calibration certificate and will help reduce the need for centralized asset tracking. This paper aims to cover the need for evolving a standard for electronic information exchange of calibration data across laboratories via the Internet in a secure fashion. This document covers the requirements and some of the use cases for real-time exchange of calibration information. The paper describes some of the approaches to building these standards using existing technology and infrastructure available such as using ATML and webservices. The paper addresses some of the challenges and known issues of sending information through the Internet.