SiLA’s Labware Specification Standard, developed by the SiLA Labware Workgroup, enables labware manufacturers to publish technical specifications for their labware products using standardized parameter names and units and provide this data in the form of machine readable data files in XML format.  The SiLA Standard Labware Specification Format contains parameters describing the geometric dimensions and physical characteristics of  labware products and provides metadata such as labware ID, version, manufacturer and order info.

Key Benefits of the SiLA Labware Specification Standard:

• Minimized Labware Setup / Teaching Effort
• Easy Validation and Certification of Device Compatibility
• Freedom in Labware Selection
• Sample Loss & Device Damage Avoidance
• Reduced Efforts for Product Evaluation

Xeronics AG and PASS Technologies AG, founding partners of SiLA, developed LabwareMatch, the first web based multi-vendor e-Catalog and collaborative product specification management system for labware products used in laboratory automation. LabwareMatch allows users to search for and compare labware products by combinations of labware properties, and it also lists compatible device models supporting the specific labware product. The LabwareMatch platform provides lab operators and device vendors with labware specification parameter sets in SiLA standard format which can be downloaded for direct processing by the device software to set up the labware item on their equipment.

LabwareMatch further allows labware manufacturers and authorized users to edit product data and add parameters according to the SiLA Labware Specification Standard, which are missing in most product specifications provided by labware manufacturers. It also supports registered users to publish validated data they have used successfully for implementation of specific labware products on specific devices. All submitted new parameters and parameter changes are reviewed and approved by SiLA’s approval board.

Xeronics is continuously publishing new labware products in LabwareMatch, while the LabwareMatch platform allows registered users to add data for specific labware parameters and for specific device parameters.

LabwareMatch is financed through sponsoring and advertisement. PASS Technologies offers implementation support for device specific drivers and related system integration services.