Welcome to the LIMSource: the most comprehensive LIMS resource on the Internet

About the LIMSource
This site provides detailed information about Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
Applications
Links to various application-specific LIMSource pages, such as pharmaceutical, environmental, biotech, etc.
Calendar
Conferences, trade shows, seminars, etc. that highlight LIMS, informatics, and lab data management issues
Classified Ads
A careers section of classified ads from organizations seeking LIMS professionals
Guest Book
If you are new to this site, please register with the Guest Book. Registrants receive free LIMSource online newsletter
Library
Books, newsletters, and magazines as well as the LIMSzine and a list of "Interesting Places to Visit"
LIMS/Letter
Details about the LIMS/Letter, including an archive of all past issues and an online ordering form
LIMS Primer CD
Unique CD-ROM delivers a capsule look at LIMS, from tutorials and advice, to selected LIMS/Letter articles, to a short list of top LIMS vendors

LIMS Products & Services
LIMS Vendors
LIS Vendors
LIMS Products
Lab Data Automation Products
Service & Support Vendors
Consultants

LIMS Products & Services
Comprehensive list of LIMS, and lab data automation products and services available from vendors, consultants, and service/support providers
User Community
Lists of relevant associations as well as details about the LIMS Institute and LIMS Mailing List User Group
What's New
What's happening in the industry, including new products and vendor announcements

Copyright © LIMSource.
All Rights Reserved
Legal Notice.

Future Technologies, Inc.
3877 Fairfax Ridge Road, Suite 110N
Fairfax, VA 22030
USA
Tel.: 703.278.0199
Fax: 703.385.0886
Email: corporatehq@ftechi.com
Web: http://www.ftechi.com
Contact: Paul Rogers


Future Technologies, Inc. (FTI) is an information technology (IT) company whose primary customer is the Federal Government. They provide program support, logistics, systems design, development, operations, and maintenance engagements. These programs include the U.S. Navy Aegis Weapon System, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile Computing Environment, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

Their solutions include:

Software Technologies
* Applications Software Design and Development
* COTS Software Design and Development
* Database Design, Development, and Administration
* Software Rehost and Reuse
* Independent Verification and Validation
* Computer Center Operations and Maintenance
* Digital Storage Technologies

Systems Engineering, Integration, and Simulation
* Hardware and Software Integration
* Aircraft, Ship, and Combat Vehicle Simulator Production and Modernization
* Mathematic Modeling
* Man-Machine Interface Engineering
* Distributed Interactive Simulation
* Visual Systems Engineering
* Battlefield Simulation

Intelligence Support Services
* Imbedded with U.S. Army in Iraq
* Real Time Intelligence Analysis
* Counterintelligence
* Intelligence Database Development and Maintenance
* Interrogation Support

Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
* Manages all functions within Medical Examiners Office
* Assures protocols and processes
* Maintains complete and accurate chain of custody
* Automates all lab procedures for processing DNA casework
* Supports advanced statistical analysis
* Portable field version of case accessioning module
* Supports case information and specimen custody for large scale mass fatality incidents

The LIMS that Future Technologies provides was developed in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in New York City. While rescue workers sifted through tons of rubble collecting evidence from the attacks, positive identification of the victims from the collected human remains required the use of not only traditional forensic identification media but also the application of specialized technology which uses the chemical patterns hidden within each human cell. At the the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), a Division of the Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner in Washington DC, forensic DNA analysis was used to identify victims of the Pentagon and Pennsylvania attacks. This testing resulted in the successful identification of all 44 passengers and crew from United Airlines Flight #93 and all but 5 victims of the 189 individuals who perished in the Pentagon and American Airlines Flight #77 attack. Faced with the challenge of testing over 938 specimens and 104 references from Somerset, AFDIL achieved a >95% success rate in obtaining DNA profiles from victims’ specimens used in the identification process. The generated profiles are composed of sequences of paired chemicals within DNA of each human cell. These chemicals can be used to fully distinguish one individual from another. Generating these profiles requires first extracting DNA from the biological material, amplifying the extracted DNA, and detecting DNA “type” of that individual. This “type” then constitutes the DNA profile which is captured digitally, and interpreted by the AFDIL scientists. The profile of the unknown specimens are then compared to the DNA profile obtained from reference material in order to make an identification. To efficiently manage this volume of DNA data, FTI completed and deployed a custom LIMS application for AFDIL. The Laboratory Information Systems Applications, LISA, is a universal laboratory tool allowing for the integration and management of all electronic data at AFDIL. The day after the September 11th attacks, the FTI technical staff began working with AFDIL, using LISA and a LISA Mobile system at both Dover Air Force Base and in Somerset, PA to assist the onsite scientific personnel capture initial data on the victims and processing of specimens by the recovery personnel.

While the Future Technologies LIMS is commercially available, it is not a  "Shrink Wrap" solution. Instead, it provides the framework for a Medical Examiner LIMS, Forensic LIMS, Crime Lab LIMS or an integrated combination. Future Technologies's approach is to recognize that most labs have process and procedures specific to their requirements, and thus Future Technologies tailors their solutions to meet those unique requirements.