Overview
The custom experiment type is configured in the Work Orders module. In the Work Orders module, it is possible to create both Custom Experiment Type and Work Request Type. This user guide is focused on creating a custom experiment type. Please refer to the “Configure Request Types in Workflow” user guide on how to create a work request type. 

In order to create new custom experiment types and make changes to existing types, you must have access to the choices highlighted in the Work Orders menu. If you don’t see these choices, your system administrator must go to your user setting and set “Manage Workflow” to “Yes”.

A custom experiment is an experiment type that allows you to freely add user-defined custom fields and data items. The structure of the experiment is divided into the Request Type area where the custom fields are placed, the Request Items Type area that is data tables, and the function part that is common to all experiments.

Custom experiment data can be searched using either the Advanced Search or the Arxspan Search. As a result, data can be combined with the Registration module, Inventory module, and Assay module, enabling data utilization in a wider range.

Custom Field has a variety of data types, one of which allows collaborators to be assigned for custom experiments. By adding the collaborator field into the custom experiment type, it is possible to have multiple users work on the same experiment.

The custom experiment can have three parts:  Experiment common function part; Custom Experiment Request Type Area; and Custom Experiment Request Item Type Area. The experiment common function can’t be configured by the user. It is added to each experiment by the system automatically. Custom Experiment Request Type Area and Custom Experiment Request Item Type Area need to be configured by the user. Custom Experiment Request Type Area is the main body of the custom experiment. Custom Experiment Request Item Type, also referred to as the data table section, can be used to record information in preset table format.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you need help to set up the custom experiment.

　　

Procedure 

Step 1: Plan the Custom Experiment Type

Before setting up the custom experiment type in the system, it is recommended to plan out what should be included in the custom experiment. If data table(s) will be added, its/their layout and name of column headers should also be determined. All dropdowns and fields that will be used to build the custom experiment and the data table(s) should be listed. 

Step 2: Configure Dropdowns

Please refer to the “Configure Dropdowns in Workflow” user guide on how to configure Dropdowns.

Step 3: Configure Fields

Please refer to the “Configure Fields in Workflow” user guide on how to configure fields.

If it is desired to allow multiple users to edit the same experiment, make sure to create a field of Co-Authors date type.

Step4: Configure Request Item Type

Please refer to the “Configure Request Item in Workflow” user guide on how to configure request item type.

1. 1. Is Default, Restrict Access, Search Registration for Compounds, Register New Compound, and Check if a structure is requested before registration are for workflow only. Please Do NOT select these options when setting up a request item type for a custom experiment.
   2. The structure field is not supported in the custom experiments. Please do NOT add structure filed to the request item type for a custom experiment.

Step 5: Configure Custom Experiment Type (Request Type)

Select “Create/Update Application Templates” under Workflow from the left navigation bar. This will bring you into workflow module and open the Manage Application Templates window.

 

 

1. 1. In the Manage Request Types window, press the “NEW REQUEST TYPE” button at the top right corner. This will open a blank request type window.

Request type names are not required to be unique. However, it is better to search for request type names before creating the new one to ensure uniqueness. This will help to avoid confusion.

1. 2. Enter the name of the custom experiment type in the “Request Type Name” field. If you want a name to be displayed when the mouse is placed over the request type name, enter the name you want to display in the “Hover Text” field. This is optional.
   3. Allowed Applications: select ELN from the dropdown. 
   4. Configure Request Name: this is not available for the custom experiments. It is only for work requests.
   5. Check the box as necessary:
      1. Is Default: This is for work requests.
      2. Notify Collaborators: When this is checked, the collaborators will be notified when they are added to the experiment as a collaborator.
      3. Restrict Access: This can be used to limit the access of the custom experiment type to certain groups or users. If checked, allowed groups or users must be defined. Otherwise, no one can view this custom experiment type.

1. 5. 4. Prioritize After Submission, Search Registration for Compounds, Register New Compounds, and Check if Structure is Requested Before Registering are for work request only. Please Do NOT select these options when setting up a custom experiment.
   6. Number of Frozen Column in Table: define the number of columns, starting at Left, will be displayed without scrolling
      1. This field is optional.
      2. If this field is left blank, no column will be frozen. 
      3. The frozen column should not be more than 3. Otherwise, the frozen column will occupy the display window and you won’t be able to see the content on the right.
   7. Press the “+Add Field” button to add fields to the filed list.
      1. Select the field from the dropdown list
      2. It is optional to select from the dropdown list of Field Group to create a subgroup of the fields
      3. Include in Manage Request: this is for work requests only. Please do not select.
      4. The unwanted field(s) can be removed by pressing the “Delete” button. This option is only available when creating a new request Type. Once the request type is saved, the field can’t be deleted.
   8. Select Request Item Type from the dropdown list.
      1. Press the “+Add Request Item Type” button to add a new request item type field to the list.
      2. The unwanted request item type can be removed by pressing the “Delete” button. This option is only available when creating a new request type. Once the request type is saved, the request item type can’t be deleted or disabled.
   9. Disable: When this is checked, the custom experiment type will be disabled in the system. The users won’t see the custom experiment type in the experiment type dropdown when they create new experiments.
   10. When you finish, press “Submit” to save your changes. If you want to discard all changes, press “CANCEL”.

 

Step 6: Configure notifications
Please refer to the “Managing Workflow Notifications” user guide on how to configure Dropdowns.

Once these settings are completed, you can use it as a custom ELN experiment type.

When you press the New + button of Experiment, the Request Type name, which is also the custom experiment type name, will be displayed in the experiment type dropdown. You can create your own custom experiments by selecting the target experiment type.