New software tools make robot programming a less daunting task. Photo courtesy Ready Robotics Corp.
The growing popularity of UR’s collaborative machines has helped spur new software developments. Photo courtesy Universal Robots USA Inc.
New programming software is designed to be agnostic to robotics hardware. Photo courtesy Realtime Robotics Corp.
Today, engineers are looking for tools to make robot programming easier and faster. Illustration courtesy TM Robotics (Americas) Inc.
Manufacturing has been held back for decades by software silos between robot vendors. Photo courtesy Ready Robotics Corp.
New software simplifies programming and speeds up deployment time. Illustration courtesy Realtime Robotics Corp.
In the future, artificial intelligence and data analytics technology will play an important role in robot programming software. Photo courtesy Universal Robots USA Inc.
This continuous improvement platform enables manufacturers to easily manage their robots and maximize performance. Illustration courtesy Flexxbotics
Traditionally, many small- and medium-sized manufacturers avoided robots, because they were intimidating. Companies lacked the necessary programming knowledge and technical expertise. And, they simply weren’t willing to make investments in personnel that bigger manufacturers could afford.
However, that attitude has changed dramatically in recent years, partially due to the rise of open-source operating systems. That’s good news for many companies, because programming can be time-consuming and very expensive.
Robot programming can be a daunting task. Depending on the complexity of a project, such as the number of robots being programmed, the number of tasks, and whether users are starting from scratch or making modifications, the entire process can take anywhere from weeks to months of engineering time to accomplish.
In fact, according to some experts, programming accounts for 75 percent of the average cost of a robotic cell over its life cycle. A shortage of programmers capable of quickly readjusting cells across multiple robot brands and languages also limits automation deployment and growth in a variety of industries.
“Third-party programming software is designed to be agnostic to robotics hardware, meaning it can be used on most, if not all, industrial robots [marketed] by major brands,” says Lian Jye Su, robotics research director at technology intelligence firm ABI Research Inc. “Traditional robot software tends to very low level and requires high technical skills.
“Third-party software allows end users to program and simulate the behavior and movement of an industrial robot on a very user-friendly interface,” explains Su.
“Every robot manufacturer does things their own way,” adds George Konidaris, Ph.D., an associate professor of computer science at Brown University and director of the Intelligent Robot Lab. “If you want to control a robot from any specific manufacturer, you must learn the programming language it supports.
“Those languages are complex, cumbersome, low-level and not in any way mutually intelligible, so many integrators end up specializing in one brand of robot,” claims Konidaris. “That’s bad, because not only are the languages hard to use, but once they’re specialized, [companies are stuck with it].
“With open, third-party software, a systems integrator can learn a single software package—which typically operates at a much higher level of abstraction—capable of controlling robots from any manufacturer,” explains Konidaris, who also serves as chief roboticist at Realtime Robotics Inc., a start-up company that has developed motion planning software that can be used with a variety of robot brands. “Now, they can pick the right robot for the job at hand.
“A useful analogy is thinking about desktop computer printer brands,” says Konidaris. “Imagine if, in order to print a document, you had to use a special-purpose, low-level programming language, and each manufacturer had a different one. If you wanted to print on an HP printer, you had to use one language, and if you wanted to use a Canon or Lexmark printer, you’d need to learn a new one.
“That would be terrible,” Konidaris points out. “And, it would make desktop printers expensive to install and impractical for lots of people. Instead, what people do is install a printer driver, and your computer gives you an intuitive and uniform interface to all the printers. That’s the ‘win’ that third-party software delivers for industrial robots.”
 
Although robots have been around for more than 50 years, vendor-agnostic software has only become available recently.
“It is mainly due to a shift in consumer behavior,” says Su. “Consumers are demanding more products and more customization. A higher number of product variations generally translates into a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing process. This leads to manufacturers needing to cope with a broader range of robotic [options] from different brands.
“Since the configuration of robotics solutions across other brands can be extremely expensive and take a long time, manufacturers prefer to use [alternative] software to address this pain point, allowing for the rise of third-party software,” explains Su.
“In the past, many companies were stymied by the complexity of traditional programming,” adds Benjamin Gibbs, CEO of Ready Robotics Corp., which has developed an open, cross-brand operating system for industrial automation called Forge/OS. With support for ABB, Epson, Fanuc, Kawasaki, Stäubli, Universal Robots (UR) and Yaskawa robots, it offers a single programming interface for hundreds of machines and peripherals.
“Today, open systems make it more cost-effective to use robots in high-mix production environments,” claims Gibbs. “Several developments have helped push this idea forward. One is the advent of Industry 4.0 technology, which has forced robot vendors to open up their platforms.
“Another was the debut of the robot operating system (ROS), an open-source system that was developed 15 years ago,” notes Gibbs. “However, ROS typically works better with automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots rather than robot arms.
“In addition, the growing popularity of UR’s collaborative machines has helped spur new developments,” claims Gibbs. “It has led to a big increase in easier-to-use programming techniques.”
“Companies like UR have opened up their application programming interface (API) to allow third-party companies to develop directly onto their software,” adds Tyler Bouchard, CEO of Flexxbotics, which markets a cloud-based manufacturing management software platform that’s used by companies such as Abiomed, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Sub-Zero and Toyota.
“They have created a robot company that sits on a platform,” says Bouchard. “The platform has accelerated innovation within robotics, giving manufacturers access to more application-based solutions.”
 
According to Realtime Robotics’ Konidaris, two other factors have contributed to the rise of third-party software. “One is increasing pressure to automate, coming from both the realization that the industry is nowhere near reaching its potential, and from price pressure,” he points out.
“The second reason is that new technology that has been brewing with robotics researchers for decades is finally reaching a level of maturity where it can be usefully applied in practice,” says Konidaris. “Third-party software will be a game-changer.”
The software generally has the following features that make it easy to use:
“[Engineers today] are looking for tools to make programming easier,” says Ryan Guthrie, executive vice president of TM Robotics (Americas) Inc., the American and European distributor of Shibaura (formerly Toshiba) Machine robots. “There is less and less interest in having to script out code. Customers want precanned, packaged, plug-in, drag-and-drop tools.
“They don’t want to think about code at all,” notes Guthrie. “They want to be able to modify robot programs without having to even look at or understand the code.
“Most third-party apps that we have come across were developed to address specific needs,” adds Guthrie. “When a robot leaves the factory, we do not know if it is going to be packing chocolates, welding an auto body, gluing together battery cells for an electric vehicle, assembling electrical components or being used in a laboratory that is developing a cure for a disease.”
Robot manufacturers need to develop generic software that works for all these cases, and as such, they can’t possibly know what types of details or functions might be needed for specific applications.
However, third-party apps can be used to take the flexibility of the robot and really dial it in and tune it to the niche production task a specific end user may have in mind.
Guthrie says the push to make programming easier is not a new concept. “The idea of canned libraries and drag-and-drop code is something that has always been there,” he points out. “What is changing is processing power and the overall general knowledge of integrators.
“Things that are happing in the consumer space, which moves at a much faster development pace, are driving changes in the industrial [sector],” explains Guthrie, who has been programming robots for 15 years. “Software is becoming much more intuitive, with icon-driven menus and simplified interfaces. Most of the heavy lifting is now done with script that runs in the background without the user even knowing it is happening.”
In the future, artificial intelligence and data analytics technology will play an important role in programming software.
“AI is really changing the way programming is approached,” claims Guthrie. “As more and more data is fed into the logarithms that run AI, smarter [programs] will be developed.
“Just as vision systems have really changed how robots ‘see’ over the last decade, AI is going to change how robots ‘think,’” predicts Guthrie. “[However], we are still a long way out from machines that can think, react and grow on their own.”
“The future of programming is less ‘dealing with every low-level detail by hand because the robot is so stupid,’ and more ‘describing your industrial process and letting the robot figure it out,’” adds Realtime Robotics’ Konidaris.
“We are going to see a major leap in what can be cost-effectively and reliably automated when we raise the level of abstraction at which we have to think about robot programming,” says Konidaris. “What we’re doing right now is like trying to decide where to go for lunch by reasoning one footstep at a time, instead of picking a target restaurant. Someday very soon, all that low-level spatial reasoning will be the robot’s job.”
 
Manufacturing engineers can choose a variety of innovative software products that make it easier than ever to use robots for assembly applications.
For instance, Ready Robotics recently released Version 5.3 of Forge/OS. It unites all the hardware in a robotic workcell under a single user-friendly programming platform. In doing so, the operating system makes automation accessible to any manufacturer and any operator, with no experience necessary.
Forge/OS provides a hardware-agnostic software layer that controls robots and related automation hardware from leading brands through a common set of APIs. Using those APIs, Ready Robotics has built a suite of low-code apps designed to make it simple for non-engineers to program and manage robotic cells.
“Manufacturing has been held back for decades by software silos between robot vendors,” claims Gibbs. “We’ve broken down those barriers with a standard interface that simplifies deployment for enterprises and dramatically increases the market opportunity for the automation industry.
“For factory workers, that interface is a no-code tablet which allows them to upskill to become a robot programmer within weeks,” explains Gibbs. “For software developers, it’s a standard API that unlocks data streams from over 3 million compatible robots deployed today.”
Flexxbotics just launched FlexxConnect UR, a continuous improvement platform that empowers discrete manufacturers to easily manage their collaborative robots and maximize performance.
It provides instant access to contexualized data and intelligence, enabling engineers to fully optimize and continuously improve cobot performance. The platform also gives simple, step-by-step instructions that enable a quick transfer of ownership of cobot workcells to operators, upskilling the existing workforce.
“FlexxConnect enables the instantaneous transfer of both job intelligence and robot data digitally between the workcell and back office business systems,” says Bouchard. “The platform is revolutionizing the way jobs are being built, dispatched and executed. [It saves] manufacturers time, reduces changeover tasks and empowers the entire workforce to do more with less.
“Digital transformation can be a daunting task,” Bouchard points out. “We break it into pragmatic, digestible steps so manufacturers can trial different approaches to maximize their business outcomes.
“A robot’s life cycle can be split into three distinct buckets: design, deploy and operate,” explains Bouchard. “FlexxConnect focuses heavily on the operating portion, which is the longest aspect of a robot’s life cycle.”
Earlier this year, Realtime Robotics unveiled RapidPlan software, which simplifies programming and speeds up deployment time. It choreographs all robot movements and removes the need for brand-specific robot programming.
Cell modeling, task planning, programming and operations are all handled within the same workflow tool. The motions in simulation and as-built reality match, dramatically speeding up the design and deployment processes.
“Optimizing the efficiency of your factory operations should not be held back by technical barriers,” says Konidaris. “We specifically designed RapidPlan to deliver an accurate simulation of robot task planning, making it easy to program models and use them directly on the factory floor, but did so in a way that streamlined the process and made the technology easy-to-use for all.
“Our software functions as the basic physical intelligence that robots should have, but don’t,” explains Konidaris. “It allows robots to autonomously generate their own motion, rather than having to specify each and every movement by hand, at the individual joint level. The programmer simply tells the robot where its business-end needs to be and our software handles the rest. Each robot generates its own highly performant motion that never collides with the environment or any other robot.
“This unlocks immense value, because suddenly building a 12-robot workcell is just a matter of specifying goals for 12 robots,” claims Konidaris. “Existing technology is more like choreographing a 12-dancer ballet in a small, dark room. Our [system] makes development faster and easier.”

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In the manufacturing realm, employees are often remotely located on a factory floor, a logistics or warehousing center, or in the field.
Document control is the cornerstone of quality, compliance, environmental health and safety (EHS) and process excellence. Quality process information, work instructions, job descriptions, and specifications must all be created, revised, distributed, tracked and “retired” with consistency and efficiency. While other elements of the corporation are working on various stages of automation and digital transformation, the quality department and the documents that fuel the organization remain mired in manual (or email-aided) processes.
This situation can be remedied with automation, too, but first it’s important to consider the backdrop of what makes effective document control and how it can drive operational excellence. Let’s look at ten elements to keep top of mind when considering deploying an automated document control system.
No two document types are alike, clearly. For instance, a job description has different review and approval process steps that involve different people and departments than does a work instruction or engineering specification.
A document control system designed around best practices will allow you to configure dedicated workflows for different document types and personalize the entire document cycle. A flexible solution lets you build the document control system around your processes, rather than having to adapt your processes to the requirements of a piece of software.
Another critical aspect of document control is the ability to segment metadata, or high-level information that describes each document. Examples of metadata include information on a document’s:
Metadata is important for tasks like categorizing, reporting, searching and filtering documents. A system that lets you include metadata based on document type allows you to create unique fields, categories, keywords and more. These configurable forms are essential to optimizing your document control system to meet your organization’s unique needs.
Word, Excel and PowerPoint are the standard for creating documents in most companies today. That’s why you want to look for a document control system that works well with Microsoft Office. When these systems are integrated, any changes you make in a document control form will sync with the associated Office file (and vice versa) while preserving metadata. This linkage ensures consistency between files which eliminates costly and time-consuming version control errors.
A good document control system does far more than serve as a gatekeeper for checking documents in or out of a virtual library. You also need a controlled process for review, approval and distribution according to the workflow you’ve configured for the specific document type.
Flexible routing options are a necessity, as are intelligent business rules that eliminate inefficiencies and bottlenecks in the process. What specifically should you look for?
Critical to any automated document control system is the ability to train your workforce on any changes to documents, such as procedures and specifications. During document creation and revision, you should be able to specify the type of training associated with the document and link new requirements to the employee training system.
A flexible document control system integrated with employee training lets you automatically:
Some companies put documents in a holding pattern before releasing them, allowing employees to undergo training while documents are awaiting release. This process ensures employees are knowledgeable about the new document when it goes live. Some systems even allow you to create tests to verify that people understand the updated documents.
A good document control system does far more than serve as a gatekeeper for checking documents in or out of a virtual library.
Given the inevitable document changes that are routinely required, change request and revision control both need their own customized workflows. These processes are all about driving consistency, efficiency and control to ensure:
If your organization has a tremendous number of documents and associated data within its system, you need flexible tools that help you visualize, streamline and share that data.
The ability to filter documents based on metadata—as noted previously—is only one important capability. Built-in reporting engines that let you create ad-hoc or scheduled reports on the health of the document control system are also important. Not only does this keep people on track with overdue documents, it simplifies administrative tasks like reporting and record-keeping, so that quality professionals can focus on the strategic priorities that matter most to their organization.
Data and document security are fundamental to compliance and process excellence. You need to make sure that only appropriate levels of personnel can access, approve, review and revise key documents.
Your document control system should make it easy to configure viewing, edit and approval permissions for individual users or groups. By making documents available on a need-to-know basis, you can be sure that your team is working efficiently, safely and securely, even in multi-site organizations.
With the increased prevalence of mobile devices in the workplace, many QMS applications now offer mobile document control capabilities. In the manufacturing realm, employees are often remotely located on a factory floor, a logistics or warehousing center or in the field. In situations like this, a document control system that works the same way on the mobile device as it does on a workstation brings a tremendous advantage.
Once approved, most documents should not be altered without going through the defined change request process. By converting attachments from Word or Excel to PDF, you can reduce the likelihood that users will download an editable attachment and modify it on their own. Your document control system should also keep the original, editable attachments hidden and secure for your subject matter experts to easily access as part of the change request process.
The document control system is a central hub for the information that drives your quality system. It is the foundation for compliance and continuous improvement and provides a single source of truth for the policies, practices and regulations that drive your QMS and EHS initiatives.
An effective document control system:
Backed by an integrated QMS, these capabilities deliver a powerful platform for process excellence, unleashing new opportunities to drive your business forward.

Glen Fraser, senior director, solution architect, ETQ. For more information, call (800) 354-4476, email gfraser@etq.com or visit www.etq.com.

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Metadata is data about data: i.e., its properties, history, origin, versions, and other information about a data asset.

Metadata refers to data about data, which essentially encapsulates the different properties, history, origin, versions, and other information about a data asset in highly structured fields – used primarily for tracking, classification, and analysis. This article explains the metadata types and their uses with examples. 
Metadata is data about data, which essentially encapsulates the different properties, history, origin, versions, and other information about a data asset in highly structured fields – used primarily for tracking, classification, and analysis.
Metadata is roughly defined as data that offers information on some other content but not the data’s substance, such as the picture itself or the text message’s content. It helps users understand the meaning of the data and is essential in ensuring compliance with regulations and data governance initiatives. 
Metadata provides information such as the origin of the data, its meaning, its location, its ownership, and its creation. For instance, the metadata within a digital image may consist of information such as its size, resolution, time of creation, and color depth. It is helpful in the classification, organization, labeling, sorting, and searching of data. 
A metadata repository is a database that stores and manages metadata. One should provide content to a database to ensure that it is used as intended and appropriately identified—for example, a database of a collection of digital images. 
The following are the functions of metadata:
However, metadata does pose a few challenges. Organizations could report little return on investment and thus prefer to stick to traditional methods, such as spreadsheets, instead of a proper database management system (DBMS). Further, it is scattered in hard-to-use forms such as databases and Excel sheets in large organizations. Metadata stored in this form is hard to track; sometimes, it’s not even updated. 
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Metadata management software helps to evaluate, curate, capture, and store metadata. Ideally, organizations should automate data management to facilitate data tracking and accountability. The following are a few examples of this type of software:
The following are the benefits of centralizing metadata by using specialized software:
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Metadata can be of various types, depending on its functionality and source. The six key types of metadata to note, include the following:
Structural metadata provides valuable information that helps to establish the relationship between objects. This enables users to understand and make use of the data resource effectively. Structural metadata also provides information on the hierarchical structures between different data resources. This may include a table of contents, page, section, and chapter numbering. 
Its principal purpose is to enhance the display and navigation of collected data, which is facilitated by a page-turning program specifying the order of page graphics. It is influenced by how photographs are given to the user and saved in the repository.
Descriptive metadata provides helpful information for discovering and identifying a data resource. It describes a resource’s what, when, where, and who. It consists of information about the content and context of the data. It is organized and often adheres to one or more recognized standard schemes, like Dublin Core or MARC. It may also define the resource’s physical characteristics, such as its medium type and dimensions. 
It helps users search and retrieve information at the system level. At the Web level, it enables users to discover resources, for instance, through hyperlinking documents.
Preservation metadata refers to the information related to the preservation management of collections and information resources. It involves documentation of the process of preserving physical and digital versions of resources and encompasses all the necessary information to manage and protect digital assets over time.
In digital repositories, preservation metadata may deal with rights management and consist of information on rights holders that authorize such actions. It draws from other structures, such as structural and administrative metadata. It is mainly associated with the analysis and actions performed on a resource after it is submitted to a repository. 
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Administrative metadata provides information that is useful in managing resources. It provides information related to governance, access controls, and security. It includes technical data on copyright information, rights management, and license agreements. It may consist of technical data on the creation and quality control of works, rights management, access control, user requirements, and preserving action information. 
It is governed by project-specific procedures based on the project’s local requirements and may contain contract agreements and payment information. It includes both preservation and technical knowledge. One can use the archiving policy of administrative metadata for the internal management of resources. 
Provenance metadata provides helpful information on the origins of a data resource. It includes information on the ownership, any transformation that the data may have undergone, the usage of the data, and the archival of the data resource. This information helps track the lifecycle of a resource. 
Provenance metadata is generated whenever a new version of a data set is created and indicates the relationship between different versions of data objects. This allows users to query the relationship between versions and includes either or both fine- or coarse-grained provenance data on data resources. 
Definitional metadata refers to the metadata that provides a common vocabulary that facilitates a shared understanding of the meaning of the data. The meaning of the data includes information on the definitions of the data, rules that govern the data’s context, and calculations. It may also include information on the logic used when creating derived data to understand its meaning entirely. 
Definitional metadata is categorized into semantic and schematic. You can describe structured, and unstructured data sets semantically with a textual description or vocabulary. A database schema can present structured data sets. 
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One may use various forms of metadata in various ways. Here are the top applications of metadata in an organization:
Metadata in a database management system (DBMS) consists of a column name and a row number that is attached to the piece of data. The SQL standard offers a standardized method for accessing the metadata referred to as the schema; however, not all databases implement this method. Metadata makes it easy to organize, interpret, and request data.
Metadata can be a directory in the database that allows users to easily sort and filter data by type and establish relationships between different data sets. A DBMS catalog is associated with data collection and contains information that defines database articles. 
Websites are embedded with metadata that significantly affects their ranking and success. When building a webpage, it’s important to include metadata details such as a meta title and a meta description. A meta title briefly describes the page’s topic to give readers a preview of what to expect. 
A meta description gives further information about the page’s contents, though it is brief. A meta tag only appears on a page’s code and helps search engines categorize the page. Search engines read this metadata to determine keywords and use it to categorize the website. 
Metadata in social media allows users more control over how they want their content shared on platforms such as Facebook or Twitter. When users optimize their content, they get more interactions from their posts than from posts without optimization. 
For instance, when users publish links on Facebook, it extracts metadata such as the title of the post, a brief description of the post and featured image, the URL of the post, and the name of the website. Users can leverage Open Graph on Facebook and Twitter Cards on Twitter to optimize and determine how their posts are displayed. 
Markup languages allow users to identify individual elements of a document, such as a paragraph or a header. They include a standard generalized markup language (SGML) or extensible markup language (XML). SGML allowed the sharing of documents that were readable by machines. XML consists of standardized rules for attaching information to text to make it readable by machines. 
It works by wrapping chunks of text such as words, sentences, or paragraphs in tags that describe what’s between them. Markup content allows users to search for keywords across many different documents. 
Retail and online shopping websites often use metadata to track consumer habits and movements. They collect any data they are legally allowed to, such as their consumer’s device type, locations, purchases, clicks, and times they access the sites. 
Using this information, they create a picture of their consumer’s preferences, associations, and habits and use it for marketing their products to them. This information can also segment consumers and send them targeted ads. Similarly, governments can use metadata from web pages and emails to monitor Web activity. This information can be used in mass surveillance.
Classification involves arranging information logically to find it when it’s needed. Putting this information into classes or categories is known as taxonomy, and the data associated with the items is metadata. Users can embed this information into the content or in an external content management system. 
Understanding metadata is vital in creating an effective content management system (CMS). Within taxonomies, controlled vocabularies can promote an understanding of the intended purpose. Metadata tags can help with resource discovery and improve resource organization. Properly classified information makes it easy for users to analyze and interact with the data. 
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Now that we have looked at the critical uses of metadata, here are a few examples to illustrate its application further. 
Document metadata provides additional information on a document for additional context. This information is useful in classification, search, and retrieval. Metadata includes details such as the author of the document, size, and title. 
Tags enable users to classify and categorize documents quickly. Information tags provide additional notes on a document, while security tags allow restricted access. Metadata on the version of the document enables users to track changes and view information on the date it was created and last modified. 
Reliable content management systems and document management systems support document links. These links may establish relationships between one or more documents.  
Social metadata refers to data added to a piece of content by others besides the content creator, such as tags, ratings, and comments. 
Facebook meta tags on Open Graph consist of information like the title of a post, a brief description of the post and the featured image, the URL of the post, and the name of the website. Twitter meta tags on Twitter Cards consist of information such as a title, a brief description of the post, an image thumbnail, and Twitter account attribution. These tags are embedded in HTML code. 
HTML code is embedded into a website to provide additional essential information to the website. A meta tag is used to provide this additional information. Meta tags are placed inside the header of the document. They can have information such as the title and author of the website. 
Metatags can be used to specify important keywords related to the document. Keywords are useful to search engines while indexing webpages for search purposes. One can also use metatags can also be used to provide a short description of the document. Similarly, they can be used to provide information on when the document was updated last.
Relational databases are used to store and provide access to metadata in a structure known as a data dictionary. The data dictionary holds metadata information about tables, columns, data types, constraints, table relationships, views, and indexes. 
The columns hold the attributes of the data, while the rows represent a record with a unique ID known as a key. Each record consists of a corresponding attribute value, which makes it easy to establish relationships among data points. Foreign keys allow for data searches and manipulation between databases. 
The message headers of emails sent or received consist of metadata fields that are not visible in the mail client. Emails consist of metadata such as the date and time when the email was received – examples of this include the email addresses of the sender, the receiver, their names, the title, and the email’s subject. 
They may also contain information on the full content of the document, including and excluding the HTML formatting. Additionally, it may include metadata on the original document, inclusive of the type of content, file size, and download URL. A list of all documents attached to the email, along with the URLs to retrieve them, may also be included, and this metadata plays a vital role in email security.
Geospatial metadata describes geographic objects such as maps and data sets. It often describes the who, when, where, what, why, and how of geographic information system (GIS) files. 
Examples of geospatial metadata include details such as the creation date of the data, the author’s contact information, map projection and coordinate system, scales used on the data, any errors on the data, and a key containing explanations of various symbols and attributes that are used. It may also include a database schema for usage in a data system, data reproductions, and license information.
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Metadata forms the foundation of several advanced data-driven functionalities, from data meshes and fabrics to data lakes and warehouses. As more and more information is generated by users and machines worldwide, metadata helps keep track of these assets and assigns each data set a unique identity. Organizations can leverage this technology to improve operations in personalized services, data-driven security, and more. 
Did this article help you understand the different types and applications of metadata? Tell us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. We’d love to hear from you! 

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There has been lots and lots of movement within the legal technology space of late. And law practice management software providers are the ones doing most of the moving — whether they are acquiring or being acquired. 
But every single one of those moves is seismic for a not insignificant number of attorneys who are users of the affected software programs.
So, in this episode of the Non-Eventcast, we brought in a fabulous foursome of guests, who helped us cut through all the noise.
What does law practice management software do?
Law practice management software forms the backbone for the full scope of a firm’s business operations — all the way from client intake to invoicing and future business development. It organizes varied data related to clients and matters into comprehensive files, saving enormous amounts of time and allowing lawyers to focus on high-level legal work instead of administrative tasks. 
How can case management software support my practice area?
From family law to trusts and estates, different practice areas have different emphases. Do you need to track net-worth metrics for a division-of-assets dispute? Manage the sprawling case information related to a general litigation matter? Streamline the intake process critical to a personal injury practice? Today’s practice management software can be adapted to your practice area, dramatically increasing the benefits it provides.  
What are the biggest challenges in upgrading your case management platform? 
Migrating your data to a new system — be it on-premises or in the cloud — will inevitably create challenges for any law firm. However, today’s software providers are experts at this process. They will work with you to create a path that requires the smallest amount of effort. In the end, most firms will find that the effort has been well worth it, as new software provides transformational business benefits. As an added bonus, this process will help you clean out data and systems that are no longer needed at your firm. 
What are the biggest misconceptions about practice management tech? 
These are myriad. Some small firm managers wrongly believe they don’t need a robust practice management platform and that their legacy systems will keep them in business. Others see the costs as too high, or the task of onboarding too onerous. While concerns like these aren’t frivolous, the reality is that practice management software is now table stakes for law firms looking to remain competitive. And the longer you continue to work in your current system, the more difficult an upgrade may become. 
There’s a term for when attorneys use Latin and other arcane languages to describe legal processes to consumers: “legalese.”  
But there’s no similar term for when vendors use technical and other arcane languages to describe their legal software operations to lawyers.
True, this dynamic may seem unfair. But now we have The Legal Tech-to-English Dictionary to help us cope. 
Read on for a crash course in practice management terms. 
Law Practice Management Software
1. A database for managing law firm clients that organizes primary case information under matter files.
2. A platform for systematizing client data collected from integrated systems via software integrations.
3. Client files organized by email subfolders … in 2002.
Lawyer 1: I just bought a new law practice management software, and I’m spending so much less time looking for everything because it’s all in one place now!
Lawyer 2: Yeah, you should see this Excel file I put together. It’s badass.
Lawyer 1: Just … stop.
Cf. Organization porn. 
Relational Database
1. A  software that recognizes relationships between segments of data.
2. A system based on the relational model of data, created by Edgar F. Codd.
Cf. Law practice management software
Cf. The Oracle of (Kevin) Bacon.
Client Portal
1. A software system feature that allows law firms to share certain data with clients via an in-system, encrypted holding container, which clients can access using a unique password or PIN (personal identification number).
2. The means by which unwieldy assignments can seamlessly enter your workflow. 
Lawyer 1: The good news is that my clients can send me stuff via our portal. That’s also the bad news.
Lawyer 2: Ba-dum-cha.
Lawyer 1: Thanks. I’m here till Thursday. Try the veal.
Cf. Online document drives, most of which are de facto customer portals, also allow users to share information with others in a secure format. Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, et al. offer such features. These can also be connected to law practice management software via integrations.
Cf. Like how in action movies, there’s always a portal with all these aliens coming in to invade the planet. Honestly, I don’t know which portal is worse: that one, or the one that drops a 90-page contract in your lap for review.
Integration
1. Connecting two softwares via an API (application programming interface) that allows each software system to share data with the other.
2. Connecting two softwares via an intermediary program (like Zapier) so that the two programs can share data without the need of an API.
3. A primary reason modern practice management software can be life-changing, particularly for those currently using a combination of dictation machines, hard-copy markups, and the Logo turtle.  
Cf. Linking a law practice management software to a productivity software (email, calendar) allows users to sync emails, events and tasks with client files within the law practice management software, cementing that program as a holistic solution for law firm data management. Linking an accounting program to a law practice management software allows users to push expense and invoice data into the accounting program.
Business Intelligence
1. A method for collecting and aggregating data into a digestible format that allows software users to make data-driven business decisions.
2. Reports generated from software systems focused on specific business metrics, including key performance indicators.
3. You know, pretty much everything your law school neglected to tell you about. But, hey: You still know what the Rule Against Perpetuities is!
Lawyer 1: How’s your P&L statement looking for the last quarter?
Lawyer 2: Uh. Um. Res Ipsa Loquitur.
Lawyer 1: Say what?
Cf. NOT the Edsel.
Jared Correia is the host of the Non-Eventcast. 
Jared Correia is the host of the Non-Eventcast.

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With labor shortages, supply chain issues, inflationary pressure, and customers’ increasing expectation for seamless service testing every company’s limits, organizations are looking for ways to help their workforce do more with less. This pressure is especially acute for customer service teams already prone to burnout and high turnover. 
By deploying automation technology, organizations can empower service agents to do their jobs more efficiently, lower workplace stress, and advance their careers. And since customer service teams are often the face of the brand, happier agents translate to more satisfied customers, which also leads to better business performance.
At its heart, service automation is about making people’s lives easier. The technology is made up of a suite of tools that enable intelligent machines to take over time-consuming, repetitive tasks that humans used to do. 
Here are three key benefits organizations see when they successfully leverage automation in service environments:
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Automation streamlines repetitive, menial tasks, helping agents become more efficient and productive and, ultimately, better serve customers. There are plenty of ways businesses can pinpoint tasks across an entire organization that is ripe for automation. Here are a handful of automation-based tools that can help save time, increase efficiency and improve the overall work experience for service professionals: 
When tasks that took minutes or hours now take seconds, the time savings add up quickly in a high-volume contact center. With automation, service is also more consistent, with less room for human error or cases falling through the cracks, especially with many new employees.
No one enjoys spending time on repetitive tasks, digging for information across multiple systems, or dealing with frustrated customers who’s waited too long for a response. It’s no surprise that customer service teams grapple with low job satisfaction and high turnover, driving up costs for companies and a poorer customer experience.

According to Salesforce’s State of Service report, 67% of service decision-makers say that retaining employees is a challenge in the current market. But, when organizations invest in technologies like automation that empower agents to do their best work, more agents have begun to consider long-term career opportunities within the service sector. In fact, 85% of agents see a clear path for career growth — up from 67% in 2020 and 59% in 2018. 
When automation is done right, it removes items from “to do” lists rather than adding steps to existing processes. These tools can reduce tedium, stress, and burnout among agents by cutting down on manual tasks, taking over simple queries and breaking down complex customer issues with guided steps and recommendations.
With the service team growing more efficient, customers are less likely to wait an extended period for resolutions and take their dissatisfaction out on agents. Service professionals can focus on tasks that require a human touch, like connecting with customers in personalized ways that drive long-term brand loyalty.
In the same survey, nearly 70% of service leaders identified a lack of access to career development opportunities among their departments’ top challenges. The absence of avenues for career growth contributes to low morale and high turnover among agents and prevents departments from achieving a higher level of service.
Automation can free up time for agents to continually enhance their skills and advance their careers. Time freed up thanks to automation can be allocated to perfecting essential skills such as active listening and empathy or learning new skills such as identifying a sales lead and technologies such as no-code and low-code tools. These tools empower agents with a new technical skill set they can use to remove inefficiencies and better serve customers. Innovative learning platforms can even recommend bite-sized learning content customized to an agent’s skill level and incorporated into their work.
Continuous on-the-job learning makes agents more fulfilled and less likely to quit. It also sets them up to improve customer experience and deliver on the promise of turning the service team into a value center. 
To take advantage of the benefits of automation, start small. Identify a few high-value areas that are ripe for improvement, such as those around simple, high-volume customer requests. Or begin by automating a single step in a more complex process. Learn from this experience and then adopt best practices to build on your success across the organization. Try to deploy these automation tools in close coordination with the IT department to speed up implementation and ensure readiness for future expansion. The most important thing, though, is to get started — there’s no time to waste in today’s business environment.
Nga Phan is SVP of service cloud product strategy at Salesforce
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How to quickly rearrange pages in Microsoft Word
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Moving entire pages takes a bit of effort because Microsoft Word doesn’t recognize them. It’s a bit awkward unless you know these three techniques for rearranging pages in Word.
Rearranging content in a Microsoft Word document is easy most of the time. You can quickly select sentences, paragraphs, graphics and so on and then cut and paste or move the selection up or down using Shift + Alt + Up/Down. These are only a few of the many ways Word helps you move content.
The one element Word doesn’t support autonomously is the page. There’s no quick-click selection for selecting and moving a page. In this tutorial, I’ll show you three easy ways to rearrange Word pages.
SEE: Windows, Linux, and Mac commands everyone needs to know (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
I’m using Microsoft 365 on a Windows 10 64-bit system, but you can use earlier versions. Word for the web supports these methods. The Navigation Pane is available in Word 365 through Word 2007. The Clipboard history is available in Word 365 through Word 2013. For your convenience, you can download the demonstration .docs and .doc files. Only the first method will work in the older .doc format.
It’s easy to jump right to Windows’ classic cut and paste feature when moving data, but doing so can be a bit awkward when moving pages. Because cut and paste is a standard, let’s use it to move a page in Word:
Figure A
If you’re only moving one or two pages, cut and paste is adequate. If you have a lot of rearranging to do, consider using Word’s Navigation pane
If you change your mind or make a mistake, press Ctrl + Z to undo the move.
Word’s Navigation Pane displays your document by Headings and Pages. For the former to work, you must use World’s built-in heading styles.
To open Word’s Navigation Pane, click the View tab and check Navigation Pane in the Show menu. Then, click Pages.
Figure B

As you can see in Figure B, Word displays a thumbnail for each page in the document. If the page you want to move begins with a built-in heading style, this is the quickest way to move an entire page. To demonstrate, do the following:
Figure C
If you’re working with the demonstration Word document, you can see that the red page is now at the end of the document. The first page is green with the Themes heading. If the page you want to move doesn’t have a built-in heading at the beginning of the page, you can still use the Navigation Pane:
Now, the page will show up in the Headings section in the Navigation Pane. After moving the page, remove the temporary heading style.
There’s one small catch to using the Navigation pane: The first heading shows in the Navigation Pane. If there’s a higher-level heading elsewhere on the same page, the move begins with that higher-level heading, not the first heading on the page. This is something to watch out for because there’s no way for you to know that the heading in the Navigation Pane isn’t the highest-level heading on the page.
Sometimes you might want to move multiple pages. For instance, you might want to swap the position of two or move pages. You could do that with cut and paste or the Navigation Pane, but there’s an easier way.
At this point, you’ve learned two easy ways to move one page at a time in a Word document. Now let’s focus on a method that lets you move multiple pages quickly — the extended Clipboard, also known as the Clipboard history. To use this feature to swap two pages or several pages, do the following:
Figure D
Repeat the steps above to move as many pages as you like. Using the Clipboard history, you can move many pages at the same time. To learn more about the Clipboard history, read How to get more out of your Clipboards in Microsoft Office.
Your version of Word might limit you to the first method. However, if you have a recent version, the Clipboard history is probably the quickest method and eliminates the problem of moving a section of a page when the heading at the beginning of the page isn’t the highest-level heading on the page.
Be your company’s Microsoft insider by reading these Windows and Office tips, tricks, and cheat sheets.
How to quickly rearrange pages in Microsoft Word
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DynaFile is the industry-leading electronic employee filing system tailored for HR.
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DynaFile, the industry-leading electronic employee filing system, and TopBloc, a leading Workday Services Partner, have partnered to develop a new Workday integration that enables customers using both Workday and DynaFile to save meaningful time while managing their HR-related documentation. With this new electronic filing solution, documents in Workday can be automatically filed in your DynaFile cloud, where they can be instantly found, provided to auditors, and easily managed long-term.
The Workday document integration uses your HCM data in DynaFile to complement your workflow. After documents are filed, you’ll have seamless role-based access, retention schedules for older records, the ability to create approval workflows, and much more.
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For over 20 years, DynaFile has been the industry-leading electronic filing solution for HR. Developed with simplicity in mind, DynaFile was created in 2000 to help companies manage their HR employee files more efficiently. The scan-to-cloud document management software provides a simple and effective solution to sync with your HCM and HRIS and streamline processes through scanning automation, online file storage, cloud collaboration, automated onboarding integrations, custom reporting, and a compliance toolkit. https://www.dynafile.com
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TopBloc is a leading Workday Services Partner that specializes in helping customers improve and sustain their businesses with Workday. Providing full spectrum Workday services, TopBloc leverages proprietary technology to deliver fast and efficient Workday deployment services and flexible post-production support that optimizes existing Workday solutions. To learn more about how TopBloc makes Workday work for you, contact team@topbloc.com. https://topbloc.com
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Leaders from Merck, Synergis Software, and IPS-Integrated Project Services present Merck’s implementation of Synergis Adept to achieve validation for cGMP requirements
Engineering Document Management for Simplified Compliance & System Validation (Graphic: Business Wire)
Engineering Document Management for Simplified Compliance & System Validation (Graphic: Business Wire)

QUAKERTOWN, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Synergis Software, a global leader in engineering document management and workflow solutions, today announced they will participate in a collaborative, live panel with leaders from Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, and IPS-Integrated Project Services, LLC (hereinafter IPS), a recognized leader in Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management and Validation (EPCMV), to present one of the many ways MSD is leveraging the Synergis Adept platform to simplify compliance and validation across their global facilities.

Attendees will learn how engineering document management delivers centralized access and control of GxP documents and CAD drawings in a secure, collaborative environment to improve quality processes and simplify compliance and system validation for FDA 21-CFR Part 11 and EMA Volume 4, Annex 11.
Register now for this live 50-minute webinar, hosted by Pharmaceutical-Technology.com, taking place on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 8:00am ET and 2:00pm ET. You can get access to the replay here.
The three panelists include:
The presentation will address the top document management concerns that life sciences organizations face in a regulated industry with a focus on MSD’s specific background, challenges, and approach.
Mr. Kastle will also share MSD’s best practices and lessons learned for implementation and user adoption. Mr. Lamond and Mr. Niziolek will share their companies’ roles in supporting MSD’s document management implementation and validation.
Key Learning Objectives:
“In their pursuit of simplified compliance with FDA 21-CFR Part 11 and improved data integrity, traceability, an audit trail, and record retention, MSD turned to Synergis Adept,” says Scott Lamond, vice president of marketing at Synergis Software. “Adept provides a centralized platform for document access, workflow, and control that aligns engineering, maintenance, operations, and construction teams. It empowers life sciences companies to drive standards and reduce the risk of safety and compliance issues.”
Together, Synergis and IPS bring life sciences and biotech companies the best possible solution for engineering document management software coupled with expertise and resources to ensure compliance and validation.
“IPS has developed a deep understanding of the Adept platform and the Synergis implementation process,” says John Niziolek, associate director computer systems validation and data Integrity at IPS. “Our partnership provides every client with a compliant, consistent implementation experience and ensures they benefit from industry leading technology that addresses their regulatory compliance concerns.”
Synergis Adept is used by many of the top life sciences/biotech companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bayer, Agilent, Astellas, bioMérieux, Elanco, and many others.
About Synergis Software
Synergis Software, a division of Synergis Technologies, LLC, is a global leader in document management and workflow solutions and is the creator of Synergis Adept software. The Adept suite serves more than 130,000 users across dozens of industries including energy and utilities, life sciences, manufacturing, engineering and construction, and mining. Synergis’ flagship product, Adept, provides fast, centralized access to design and business documents in a secure, collaborative environment. Adept Integrator makes it easy to connect enterprise applications so data and business processes flow seamlessly across the entire IT infrastructure.
Synergis Software was named the customer service leader in the global engineering information management market by analyst firm Frost & Sullivan and ranks in the Top 5 globally by Helpdesk International. Adept has over 30 top placements on software review site, G2, including fastest implementation, highest user adoption, and best support. Founded in 1985, Synergis is privately owned and headquartered in Bucks County, PA.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable, and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
About IPS
IPS is a global leader in developing innovative business solutions for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Through operational expertise and industry-leading knowledge, skill, and passion, IPS provides consulting, architecture, engineering, construction management, and compliance services that allow clients to create and manufacture life-impacting products around the world. Headquartered in Blue Bell, PA-USA, IPS has over 3,000 professionals in 46 offices across 17 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. For further information, please visit www.ipsdb.com.
Scott Lamond
Vice President of Marketing
scott.lamond@synergis.com
215-302-3006
Leaders from Merck, Synergis Software, and IPS to present Merck’s implementation of Synergis Adept to achieve validation for cGMP requirements.
Scott Lamond
Vice President of Marketing
scott.lamond@synergis.com
215-302-3006

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© 2022 MJH Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical Technology. All rights reserved.
© 2022 MJH Life Sciences^™ and Pharmaceutical Technology. All rights reserved.
Webcast

Session 1: Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 8am EST |1pm GMT | 2pm CET Session 2: Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 2pm EST |1pm CST | 11am PST Join Merck, IPS, and Synergis Software on November 9th to learn how Merck is leveraging the Synergis Adept engineering document management platform to address these issues while driving standards and best practices.
Register free: https://www.pharmtech.com/pt/document
Event Overview:
Life Sciences companies require centralized access and control of GxP documents and CAD drawings to improve quality processes and simplify compliance and system validation for FDA 21-CFR Part 11 and EMA Volume 4, Annex 11.

Join Merck, IPS, and Synergis Software on November 9th to learn how Merck is leveraging the Synergis Adept platform to address these issues while driving standards and best practices.

Key Learning Objectives:

You will gain insights to align your teams on a centralized source of truth, simplify document access, automate workflow, provide an extensive audit trail, and maintain regulatory compliance.
Discover how engineering document management and system validation services can help you:

Who Should Attend:

Any organization in a regulated industry, including:
Alternative markets –
Energy and Utilities

Roles/Titles
Speakers:
Ray Kastle
Associate Director, Supply Chain, Associate Director, Maintenance Excellence
Merck
Ray Kastle joined the US Navy shortly after high school and became a nuclear reactor operator on nuclear submarines. After eight years Ray transitioned to civilian life with an honorable discharge. Ray then worked for a commercial nuclear power plant for the next 10 years, starting as an instrument technician, and subsequently becoming a maintenance supervisor, senior supervisor, composite crew supervisor, test engineer, and work group coordinator. Transitioning to the pharmaceutical industry, Ray held positions as instrument engineer, senior supervisor, business engineer, reliability engineer, senior engineer, and currently acts as the supply chain associate director in manufacturing IT. Ray has extensive experience with various maintenance and engineering computer systems, and currently act as a liaison between the business and IT for global applications.

John Niziolek
Associate Director of Computer Systems Validation, Data Integrity & Medical Gases
IPS-Integrated Project Services

Mr. Niziolek is an innovative and creative professional with 20+ years of management and working experience in commissioning, qualification, and validation of pharmaceutical, laboratory, clinical, and research and development facilities. His experience includes strategic and practical application of regulatory principles for computerized systems, data integrity, infrastructure, cloud computing, equipment, production controls, and automation platforms for clients. John leads the IPS CSV & DI practice as well as the Medical Gases practice.

Scott Lamond
VP, Marketing
Synergis Software

A Partner and member of the executive team, Scott Lamond brings more than 30 years of marketing, sales, and channel experience to Synergis Software. Scott was instrumental in the creation of Synergis Software in 2001, and his passion and focus is on strategies to position Adept software as the global leader in engineering document management for the energy, process, life sciences, and mining industries. Lamond has been immersed in CAD, PDM, PLM, and ECM markets since 1991 and has helped hundreds of companies transform their work processes from a state of chaos to one of clarity and automation. Customers include Dow Chemical, Eversource Energy, Nucor, General Mills, Merck, Mosaic, and the US Coast Guard. He holds a degree in business management and marketing from Canisius College, and currently resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Beyond his Synergis mission, Scott Lamond is a practitioner and teacher of Ashtanga Yoga and is passionate about helping others improve their quality of life through wellness initiatives.
Register free: https://www.pharmtech.com/pt/document

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