A: We recommend a tablet computer for running Protocol Labacus® Mobile. However, it is also possible to run the software on a laptop, smart phone or even a desktop computer.
Q: What kind of tablet can I use?
A: Any tablet that can run a web browser and connect to the server will work. The interface was designed
to fit a 7” tablet but works fine on a 10” tablet as well. We have tested
Protocol Labacus® Mobile with the 7” Samsung Galaxy Tab, the 7” Barnes & Noble
Nook and the 10” iPad® and they all work.
Q: Will it work on my smart phone?
A: The software will run on a smart phone browser, but version 1.0 will be difficult to use on a phone because it is optimized for a larger screen.
Q: Do I need a subscription?
A: No. When you buy the Protocol Labacus® Suite, you get your own copy of the server software.
Q: What kind of computer do I need to run the server software?
A: We have tested the Protocol Labacus® server software on both Mac OS and Windows and it will work with either.
We have not yet tested it with Linux. RAM requirements vary by operating system: For Windows XP 1GB minimum, 2GB recommended; for Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server, 2GB minimum, 2+ GB recommended, ; for Mac OS 2GB minimum, 4GB recommended. 250 MB of free disk space are required for all installations.
Q: What are the networking requirements for a Protocol Labacus® installation?
The server computer must remain on to access Protocol Labacus®. We recommend a static internal IP and internal DNS entry for the server machine. The PL Mobile client machine (usually a tablet) must have network access to the server. Therefore, if you wish to use the software in a mobile environment (as you probably will), your tablet or other mobile computing device will need access to a wireless network.
Q: What if I don't have wireless networking in my work location?
A: You will need to set up a wireless network to use the software. The bandwidth required is fairly small, so a portable hot spot using the cellular data network is sufficient. A future version of Protocol Labacus® Mobile will support working without a continuous network connection.
Q: Can I use it to manage more than one procedure at a time?
A: Yes. Protocol Labacus® is specifically designed to help you multi-task.
Q: Do you have published procedures that I can use?
A: We do not offer a library of published procedures at present. We can help you to create a database of Protocol Labacus® templates from your existing paper or electronic records. If you are interested in this service, please contact us.
Q: How do I enter my own procedures into the software?
A: Use Protocol Labacus® Designer to enter your existing procedures and create new ones. PL Designer will lead you through the whole process, allowing you to enter special equipment and materials and attach them to specific steps, to associate methods and recipes with equipment and materials, and to organize the step instructions into a useful and logical sequence.
A: We do not offer a special version for students, but we do have academic pricing for our regular version.
Q: Can I buy it through the Apple App Store and/or the Android Marketplace?
A: No. You can only buy it through the Abacalab web site.
Q: Can I buy it through the campus store?
A: No. You can only buy it through the Abacalab web site.
Q: Can I buy it using a company purchase order?
A: Yes. You can use the order page to request a quote for use with a PO, or you can contact us with any questions you may have about ordering with a PO.
Q: Is it available on the cloud?
A: No. We do not yet offer Protocol Labacus® as Software-As-A-Service. However, if you wish to serve your own organization through the internet from a virtual or remote server, you may do so.
Q: How is it licensed?
A: You need a Protocol Labacus® Mobile license for each tablet user and a Protocol Labacus® Designer license for each user who enters procedures to create templates. You need a Protocol Labacus® Server license for each running installation of the server that supports user connections. The Protocol Labacus® Suite package includes one license each for all three products. Separate additional licenses for each product are easily purchased.
Q: Does it support multiple users?
A: Yes. The server supports multiple concurrent users provided the appropriate licenses are installed.
Q: Can two people work on the same procedure?
A: Yes. Procedures in progress can be shared by the person who started them and worked on by multiple people. See the Protocol Labacus® Mobile manual for additional details.
Q: Does it include a calculator?
A: No. However, many inexpensive calculator packages are available for your tablet; in fact, it probably comes with one.
Q: Can I use the camera on my tablet to take pictures and add them to my procedure data?
A: No. Version 1.0 does not support using the tablet camera directly.
Q: Can I use it with barcodes?
A: Yes, if the tablet or other mobile device you are using supports interaction with a bar code reader in a "keyboard wedge" configuration (i.e. the barcode is transferred to the operating system as though it were typed text).
Q: Can I use it with gloves?
A: Yes. We have tested several tablets with latex gloves and the touch screens continue to work. The Protocol Labacus® interface is specifically designed with buttons large enough to use while wearing gloves.
Q: Can I use it in a sterile environment?
A: Yes. You can either sterilize your tablet (contact the manufacturer to find out whether this is possible) or you can enclose it in a sealed bag with a sterile exterior, such as an X-ray film cartridge pouch.
Q: Does it support voice recognition for hands-free operation?
A: At present, Protocol Labacus® supports only voice recognition supplied by the tablet operating system or by third parties. This may be useful however for making text notes more efficiently.
Q: Are my data encrypted?
A: No. In the standard configuration for Protocol Labacus® your data are not encrypted. However, most tablets support a mode in which all data stored on the tablet are encrypted, and this applies equally to the data stored by Protocol Labacus® on the tablet itself.
