Develop a File Management Strategy

For LHC Secure only.

An important first step for a system administrator is to decide how to manage protocols (.LHC file extension) and the database, LHC_DB_ACC.mdb.

Database

When installing LHC Secure, you must decide whether to keep the LHC database on the local computer or move it to a shared network computer. Your choice depends on your lab's workflow:

Local — If one computer is used to control Agilent liquid handler(s), keep the database on this computer.
Network — If multiple computers are used to control Agilent liquid handler(s), put the database on a network that all LHC users can access.

By default during installation, the LHC stores the database on each computer (i.e., local), in the Windows Common Application Data Folder .

Learn more About the LHC Secure Databases.

Protocol Files

When running LHC Secure using a shared network computer, consider also sharing protocol files among users. Reasons:

Protocol files are not stored inside the shared database. Protocol files are stored individually on a local or shared computer.
Each protocol file contains its own embedded protocol audit trail. The best way to manage revision and change control is to require multiple LHC users to share the same set of protocol files. This ensures one protocol audit trail captures all changes made to the protocol.
When protocol files are not shared by users, the records in the system audit trail may become confusing or even misleading due to references to similarly- or same-named protocols residing on each individual user's computer.

Archiving Files

Determine the best method and location for archiving protocols and the system audit trail. Also consider the Protocol History folder that LHC creates in the protocol's source folder, if this feature is enabled.