FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. I have several workstations in my main building as well as several others around campus. How can we all use ARM?
A. ARM is an application system residing on your network and available to all that you designate to have such access. With passwords and privileges (under your control), you assign the level of accessibility to individuals by name. The system was designed from the first day as a multi-user system, because of the nature of an animal facility.
Q. What if I don’t need the Cost Accounting Module? Could I just purchase the Modules that I need?
A
. We have structured ARM to contain what the average animal facility requires. Recognizing that there are variations in the ways facilities operate, we have come up with a set of modules (i.e. Protocol Tracking, Animal Acquisition and Billing) to comprise the minimum system. The Veterinary, Breeding, Sentinel and Cost Accounting modules can be added later, if needed. Please refer to Pricing.
Q. Is there a limit on the number of animals, protocols, investigators, etc.?
A. In the nineteen years that ARM has been in use, our users have never reached a limit. The database itself is capable of storing millions of records, and the design of ARM puts no practical limits on the users.
Q. Could the Protocol tracking in ARM be used for
"human subjects" as well?
A. Yes, there are no restrictions on the definitions of species, etc. The wordings in the textual descriptions might seem a little odd, but the database would track just as well.
Q. Why are there such a wide variety of prices among the vendors of systems,
like ARM ?
A. Each vendor has its unique approach to assisting an animal facility to perform its functions. The cost of the system may also vary widely within the same vendor based on the level of service you are seeking. We feel that ARM software provides the necessary capabilities, which together with the support system provides you the most economical solution to your needs. You are the person who determines the level of need at your facility. Granted you must consider your budget and any other constraints in deciding upon how you plan to solve your challenges.
Q. Can I get a "Demo Disk?"
A. We have not found it feasible to distribute "demo disks," nor can we afford to fly around the country doing "on-site demos." We offer "hands-on demos" at the National AALAS meetings. Also, our current users have been happy to give demonstrations at their institutions.
We do, however, offer "on-line demos" using PCAnywhere
from our corporate headquarters. This has proved to be very cost-effective.