SiLA: Basic standards for rapid integration in laboratory automation.

A standard (SiLA, Standardization in Lab Automation) that focuses on the connection between sample processing devices and a software system for automation gains acceptance. This article reports about the creation and contents of the first set of standard specifications developed during the first 2 years. These specifications-named Device Control and Data Interface Specification, Common Command Dictionary, and Data Capture Specification-describe how devices are connected to a software controlling the interplay of the devices, the command sets for various device classes, and the structure of result data such as data generated by microtiter plate readers. A section about SiLA-compliant products and pilot projects using SiLA-compatible devices for system integration gives an idea about the acceptance of the standard in the marketplace.