LDB release history 2021

LDB Cloud with a hierarchical firewall structure
To ensure optimal speed and reliability of LDB even with increasing data volumes and larger queries, we have upgraded the application and database servers to more powerful instances and added an autoscaling feature that automatically allocates additional resources during peak times.

As part of this infrastructure upgrade, network performance was also enhanced and a hierarchical firewall structure was implemented. This means that each server system has its own firewall with strict connection verification between server systems.

Access to LDB from the Internet is encrypted via a load balancer. The load balancer has its own firewall, which accepts only encrypted HTTPS connections, performs a security check, and forwards only authorized data packets to the application servers.

The application servers host the LDB application but do not store any persistent data. The application servers are distributed across two availability zones and protected by their own firewall. The application server firewall accepts connections only from the load balancer firewall.

The caching and database clusters are also distributed across two availability zones, and both the caching and database clusters have their own firewalls that accept connections only from the application server firewall.

The use of this hierarchical firewall structure further enhances LDB’s security.
Additional information on LDB data security

Batch Processing
Batch processing allows you to define actions in advance that are then automatically executed one after another in the background for multiple samples or reports.

For example, reports can be generated from samples, submitted to regulatory agencies, and sent via email. In addition, any analyses can be automatically executed sequentially in the background for all samples and reports using the corresponding export functions.

To do this, SQL rules are defined in an evaluation that supply the samples/reports for a specific batch processing task. This evaluation is then continuously executed automatically and continuously transfers relevant samples/reports to the corresponding batch processing task.

By chaining together the appropriate rules, multiple batch processes can also be executed one after another (see Fig. 1, which shows a workflow consisting of 3 batch processes).



LDB automatically processes these batch jobs in the background without requiring a user to be logged into LDB. The status history automatically shows how many of the samples/reports have already been processed. A status is displayed for each processing step, allowing you to see whether the step was successful or if an error occurred—and, if so, what the error was (see Fig. 2).


This allows thousands of samples and reports to be processed automatically and continuously in the background.

Batch processing is a paid add-on module for the Enterprise Cloud. The configuration of the rules and the setup of batch processing are carried out jointly via conference call. Afterward, you can also create any additional rules and batch processing jobs on your own.

Sample Scanner
You can now enable the SampleScanner in the system settings under “Samples.” With the Sample Scanner, you can scan one or more samples using a barcode or QR code and then view and process them in the sample list, the results table, or a report.


Display Stored Images in Reports and SQL Report Tables
Using the keyword ` upload_id_for_img_to_show==12345 `, stored files can be embedded in reports and SQL report tables.

Data Security for Import and Export Interfaces
To enhance data security forimport and export interfaces, in addition to the existing username and password authentication, you can now protect interfaces using P12 certificates and IP address restrictions.



Web Service Response Handler for Export Interfaces
For reports/export interfaces that send data to an external web service (push), you can now create a Web Service Response Handler that processes the response from the recipient, including status codes. This allows, for example, the successful export of measurement data to be logged in the sample.

Security Key for Your LDB Account
As an additional two-factor authentication (2FA) option for your account, you can now also use security keys to log in to LDB. Alternatively, you can use 2FA login with an authenticator app.

Enhanced Security During Login
Password hashing has been updated to use a stronger algorithm (ARGON2ID).
In addition, two-factor authentication (2FA) is now enabled for all LDB instances.
Users with the "Change other users' passwords" permission can disable 2FA for other users if necessary.
Audit Trail
Changes to import interfaces and evaluations are now logged in greater detail in the audit trail.

HTTPS Import Interfaces
When data is sent via HTTPS to an import interface, a JSON response is now returned. This response also includes an MD5 hash of the dataset. This confirms to the sender that the dataset has been received in its entirety. A JSON response might look like this, for example:
{"msg":"An error occurred during the import transformation", "status_code":400,
"imported_files":[ { "file_name":"abc.csv", "file_md5":"0a26ddd2586f53853c0c13d474de969e" } ] }

New Export Interface: Tirol Testet
For laboratories conducting COVID-19 testing and patients in Tyrol, there is now also an integration with Tirol Testet.

LDB Character Encoding
With this update, LDB’s character encoding has been changed to UTF-8. UTF-8 is a widely used character encoding for Unicode and allows for the display of countless symbols and characters from all languages of the world.



This means you can now work with UTF-8 characters in LDB and, using the appropriate font, create reports in languages ranging from Cyrillic to Chinese.

This also enables the display of a wide variety of mathematical symbols in LDB and in reports.


Examples of UTF-8-encoded characters

New Options for Sending Emails with Reports

View files based on upload parameters in the customer portal

Create a consolidated invoice by selecting multiple orders

Sample percentage status can be hidden in system settings

The order of image attachments in reports can be rearranged

COVID interface to EPI BRZ for the EU “Green Pass”

Display logged-in users in the employee overview

SMTP server in system settings

New test cases for automatic LDB validation

We also presented the items listed above during the August 2021 user call.

Add Multiple Participants to Notes
You can now select multiple participants for notes. This is ideal, for example, for documenting a lab meeting.


New Import Interface Type: Update Order Master Data
In addition to import interfaces for importing orders, existing orders can now also be updated via import interfaces.

New Option for Import Interfaces: SFTP Move Directory
If you use import interfaces to retrieve files from an SFTP server, you now also have the option to automatically move the source files to a different directory on the SFTP server after the import.

LDB Account Managers Hidden in Selection Lists
The support accounts of the Lab Data Bank account managers are nowhiddenin the various employee selection fields in LDB, unless the account manager was already preselected.
The support accounts can still be viewed in the employee overview via the link “Show Lab Database Support Accounts.”

New Dashboard Elements in the Sample Collection
The sample collection of reports includes several new dashboard elements that can be activated with the click of a button and further customized as needed. If you do not yet have customized metrics in your dashboard, please contact us and we will assist you with the implementation.

Report Notification via SMS
When sending reports, you now have the option to send the customer or patient an SMS notification regarding their report.

Order of File Attachments in the Report Can Be Rearranged
For image and PDF attachments in the report, the order of the files can now be rearranged using drag-and-drop.



The input form for evaluations has been divided into three sections



Comment feature for 8D reports
Comments can now be added to 8D reports, and participants will be notified accordingly.



Mark tasks as completed in reports
Tasks can now be marked as completed (or open) within reports.

Support for all chart types expanded in reports
All types of charts can now be used in the PDF view and in PDF reports.
e.g., Gantt charts, regression lines, 3D charts,...



Automatic triggers for reports
As a new Enterprise Cloud feature, you can now set up automatic triggers for reports when creating or editing samples and orders.


Enterprise Cloud in System Settings
In the systemsettings, under the new "Enterprise Cloud" tab, you can view your currently selected operating model and the features enabled for it.

Display Charts Directly in the Sample Details View
To quickly view a sample’s values at a glance, charts can now be displayed directly in the sample details view. This improves clarity and saves you an extra click before the chart appears. In the report, you can select the parameter under which the chart should be displayed directly.
Enable reports for all customers in the customer zone
In addition to customer-specific reports, you can now also make reports available globally to all customers. So if you have a report (table or chart) that is relevant to all customers in the customer zone, you can now enable it.
To reference a customer in the customer zone within the report, you can use the variable _CUSTOMER_ID_.


Define SQL Rules for Price Items
Price Item Extension: With this new extension, you can add rules to your existing price items to, for example, automatically factor in distance-based travel costs or sampling costs when invoicing. This is done using so-called SQL rules that can access master data. For example, you can enter a flat-rate mileage allowance for a customer so that it is automatically suggested during billing:


Guide to LDB Web Services
In LDB, you can configure various web services and use them with external systems to import and export data. We’ve created a new guide for this and included practical examples of how you can, for instance, automatically transfer reports to your desired drive.

Tasks and Email Alerts Removed from the Dashboard
Tasks and email alerts are no longer displayed on your dashboard, but can be added as dashboard elements if needed.

Transformation Codes for Importing/Exporting Data
Using transformation codes, raw data can be transformed into the desired format before import or export. This enables data processing for other data formats. The development of transformation codes is a custom service that goes beyond standard support and incurs additional costs.

Using Your Own SMTP Server for Email Delivery
New option: If you’d like to use your own email server to send emails from LDB, you can now configure your own SMTP server in the system settings. By default, LDB uses Postmark to send reports, reminders, etc., via email.

Sample Files for Import Interfaces
To simplify working with the import interfaces, suitable sample files with real-world examples are now available. You can provide these files to your equipment suppliers as templates. You’ll find the sample files when creating an import interface.