Customer stories


DuPont European Technical Centre

Better Databases for Better Testing

Testing, testing, testing. That's what they do at the DuPont European Technical Centre in Meyrin, Switzerland, home to some of the world's most advanced research in chemical polymers and their properties. Teams of researchers conducting hundreds of experiments means a real demand for laboratory space and equipment -- and managing that demand is a job for FileMaker Pro, the award-winning database software application from FileMaker, Inc.!

Over two hundred people undertake the research work at Meyrin, and it's Phillipe Jomeau's job to keep their information flowing. 'There are two sections here using FileMaker databases, Administration and Research' he observes. 'We run two servers, running about 120 databases.' Those databases contain several thousand records -- the exact number varying according to the project under way.

One valuable application for FileMaker is making certain that researchers and lab space or equipment are easily matched. 'It is set up as a map of our building,' Phillipe explains, 'and people can easily find the machine or the room they want to reserve. For booking a room, for example, you can go to Floor 1 and enter the specific room you want. Then you select the current month, and enter your name in the day you want to book this room.' It's an easy, efficient system that ensures that when a researcher needs a facility, it's available -- and that no confusion occurs when two people need the same space. It works for specific items of equipment as well -- the testing facility's curing ovens, for example. 'People can see instantly if ovens are available or in use -- and if in use, what the temperature level is and how much space is still available. It's possible to book ovens for as many as six dates, and each date automatically expires from the list as that day passes.'

Best of all, the system doesn't require its users to be database experts -- everything can be accomplished with a few mouse clicks. 'Every step [in using the database] is suggested and there is only a simple choice to make,' says Phillipe. 'FileMaker allows people who are not very confident in using computers to easily find the information they want!'

And, once the experiments are complete, the results of the research are stored and shared via FileMaker Pro, available in real time to all the technicians involved in a particular test. From the beginning of the experiment to the end, FileMaker Pro helps DuPont's scientists investigate new frontiers -- while assuring that everyone gets the space they need to do the job right.



Contact information

Contact Info for Customer:

Phillipe Jomeau
Database Specialist
DuPont de Nemours
44.22.717.69.17
philippe.jomeau@che.dupont.com


Filemaker Contact:

Kevin Mallon
Public Relations Manager
FileMaker Inc.
408-987-7227
kevin_mallon@filemaker.com
http://www.filemaker.com


Overview
  • At the DuPont European Technical Center in Meyrin, Switzerland, over 200 scientists are busy at work conducting hundreds of experiments. And FileMaker Pro is busy at work ensuring that the scientists have the lab space and the equipment they need, when they need it.
Industry
  • Medium-Large Business
  • Scientific Research/Biotech