Our systems, our quality, and our focus on data integrity are as important to us as they are to those we serve.
Mountlake Terrace, WA (PRWEB) March 17, 2015
In February 2015, Freezerworks, a Division of Dataworks Development, Inc., began beta testing a major upgrade for its laboratory sample management software of the same name. After almost a year of designing, creating, and testing the new product, the company has invited several clients from around the world to their headquarters to help perform additional tests. Freezerworks believes this process will help improve the upgrade as well as reinforce their connection with customer and industry needs.
Developing software requires several different stages, including gathering ideas, designing the system, coding, and testing. From conception to end, this process can take about a year. Freezerworks takes pride in spending as much time testing their products as they do programming. For this reason, the company devotes a portion of the testing stage to customer beta testing, which uses data from their clients to test how the software can be applied to realistic laboratory tasks and workflows.
In the past, Freezerworks would distribute their pre-release programs to selected customers, who would test the products on their own time and provide feedback. Unfortunately, few were able to dedicate time to do so while in the midst of their own busy laboratory work. As a result, Freezerworks decided to invite companies to test the program onsite instead. This option proved to be extremely popular: Freezerworks received 50 responses to the initial inquiry email alone and had to narrow down the selection with a lottery system.
“One thing that helps define us as a company is that we have such close relationships with our customers,” said Shannon Murray, Vice President of Freezerworks. “We’re always incorporating their ideas because they’re the ones in the field; they know what they need. It isn’t enough to think we know what they need. As they’re giving us refinements and ideas, we’re putting those suggestions into a database of ideas which may then get incorporated into future versions.”
Murray has worked with Freezerworks for almost 30 years and is currently acting as the QA Manager and project management advisor for the company. She oversees the development life cycle, ensuring that all regulatory requirements and quality standards are met. She is confident that the recent update and testing program will exemplify the company’s strengths.
“I think this process will enforce our company’s reputation as a leader in the industry in providing sample management software,” Murray said. “Our systems, our quality, and our focus on data integrity are as important to us as they are to those we serve.”
Currently, five companies from different industries are onsite at Freezerworks’ headquarters in Mountlake Terrace, WA for a week of testing. Another five companies are scheduled to visit on the third week in March. Using their own data, these clients will be testing one of the most significant updates to date: Freezerworks 2015, which features a new patient module, upgraded user interface, and a new tiering system which can be adapted to different needs and industries. This system includes three levels: “Base," “Ascent” and “Summit," with each option incorporating more functionality to meet the needs of different clients.
Freezerworks is confident that the beta testing process will help them identify a few more bugs in the system, as well as generate ideas for new features and other improvements.
“Inviting customers to our offices to participate in the beta testing program is a great way to achieve meaningful results and to receive more specific feedback about suggestions for new features,” said Murray. “The ROI for doing things this way is huge and more beneficial to the company as a whole.”
About Freezerworks
Freezerworks helps research and biotech laboratories keep track of samples and specimens. Their product line of sample management software meets FDA guidelines. To learn more, visit freezerworks.com