Hero Background

PCS Product Support

Get PCS support, documentation, answers to frequently asked questions about operation and troubleshooting for the PCS here.

Technical Support

Our technical support representatives are available by phone Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm ET.

T: 888-406-3463 opt. 2
F: 207-854-0867
E: [email protected]

Questions and Answers

Does the PCS comply with my laboratory requirements?
The PCS conforms to the Dual-Dye Ratiometric Photometric Method described in ISO 8655-7:2022 and facilitates conformity to the Photometric Reference Measurement Procedure described in ISO 8655-8:2022. The PCS can be used to fulfill test and calibration requirements according to CLSI QMS23:2019, ISO 17025:2017, cGMP, and cGLP. PCS Software can be used in laboratories compliant to 21 CFR Part 11.
What are QualAssure solutions?
Artel has evolved our brand to better align with our values and the customers we serve, and to symbolize where we are today. But the Artel mission has remained the same – to help labs achieve their goals for quality, productivity, and compliance. One of the changes made during the transition was consolidating the array of verification solutions under the new QualAssure label. The QualAssure name describes the assurance of accurate, precise, and reproducible data that customers have come to expect from using Artel technology, products and services. The products themselves are the same proven formulations and volumes as users have come to depend on and customers do not need to change their ordering processes.
How often do I need to perform a PCS Instrument Calibration?
We recommend calibrating the PCS at least every 30 days or prior to calibrating pipettes, whichever is later (e.g. if you calibrate every 6 months,
do one prior to calibrating at that time), and whenever the PCS has been moved to another location. More frequent calibration intervals might be desirable based on your labs SOP and risk assessment.
READ MORE +
LESS -
Do I need to purchase spare parts for the PCS, e.g. lamp?
Spare parts are not necessary. The PCS optical lamp has a very long life expectancy and usually never needs replacement. Most internal components,
e.g. filters, need to be replaced at Artel by qualified personnel.
READ MORE +
LESS -
How often should I be calibrating my pipettes?
The pipette calibration interval depends upon the risk tolerance of the lab and includes considerations like the degree of confidence required in your results, the frequency and type of use a pipette receives, and the accuracy and precision required in specific procedures.
In some cases, pipette performance should be verified daily. For more information on this topic, refer to our Lab Report 6.
READ MORE +
LESS -
Who should do the pipette performance testing?
The performance of a manual action pipette, possibly more than any other precision instrument, is dependent on operator technique. Pipette operators should be trained in one standardized method of pipetting technique to ensure data integrity.
For more information on this topic, refer to our Lab Report 2, devise operator assessment plans in the PCS Software, review our 10 tips poster and training programs.
READ MORE +
LESS -
Where should pipette calibrations be done?
The performance of a pipette is affected by environmental factors including temperature, humidity, and pressure. Finely tuned pipette tolerance limits reflect what is possible using a functional pipette in its working environment. We recommend testing pipette performance in the laboratory in which they are used, or under environmental conditions that are similar to those in your laboratory.
For more information on this topic, refer to our Lab Report 5 or visit our Extreme Pipetting Expedition article article to see how environmental factors play a role in pipette performance.
READ MORE +
LESS -
How many data points should be used in a calibration?
The number of data points will vary depending upon your laboratory’s needs, and whether you are testing for accuracy only or for accuracy and precision.
There are published standards (e.g. ASTM E-1154 and ISO 8655) that recommend specific numbers of data points to be used; however, there are no mandated number of data points that need to be used. For more information on this topic, please refer to our Lab Report 1.
READ MORE +
LESS -
Should I be deleting data points to make my pipettes pass calibration?
When data points do not fall within an expected tolerance range, they may be pointing to a problem with the pipette that should not be ignored. Data points should only be deleted when there is a good, solid, objective, defensible reason as to why they were outside of tolerance limits (e.g. bubbles, loose tip, etc).
At the very least, the pipette should be retested. If it continues to display this behavior, then it should be maintained, repaired or replaced.
READ MORE +
LESS -
How much reagent do I need to perform my pipette calibrations?
In order for us to determine how much reagent you will need for your pipette calibrations, you will need to complete a Pipette Population worksheet.
Please contact your account representative at 888-406-3463 or [email protected] to determine your reagent requirements.
READ MORE +
LESS -
What are the definitions of Inaccuracy and Imprecision?
Inaccuracy is the deviation of a measurement from a standard value or true quantity. In a group of values, inaccuracy would be the deviation of the mean of the group of values from the standard value.
Imprecision is the closeness of two or more measurements to each other, rather than to the standard value. It is measured in terms of standard deviation or coefficient of variation. (It is possible for a group of values to be precise without being accurate and vice versa.) For more information on this topic, refer to our Lab Report 4.
READ MORE +
LESS -
What is the shelf life of the PCS reagents?
All PCS reagents will be stable for at least 9 months if stored unopened in a dark location of 18 °C- 28 °C.
My reagents were delivered frozen. Can I still use them?
Yes. Bring the reagents to room temperature (18 ºC to 28 ºC) and invert them several times.
Why are there barcodes on the PCS consumables?
Effective July 2016, all Artel PCS consumables (Blank Solution Vials, Sample Solutions, Instrument Calibrator Vials) have barcodes on their labels.
These barcodes are only for use with the new PCS Software, and not with Artel Pipette Tracker. The PCS consumables continue to be fully compatible with all PCS instruments and Artel Pipette Tracker software can be used in the same way as they have been in the past.
READ MORE +
LESS -
My PCS2 or PCS3 is unable to communicate with Artel Pipette Tracker Software.
Ensure the PCS is set to “computer link mode”. Check the PCS COM port settings on the computer (Control Panel|Device Manager). Ensure that Artel Pipette Tracker reflects the COM port that the PCS is connected to (the default COM port is COM1; if you are using a USB adapter, a different COM port has likely been assigned by the computer).
If a USB adapter is needed, please contact Artel Technical Support. If you are a Canadian or international customer, please check the regional settings on your computer. The regional setting needs to be set to English-US. Contact Artel Technical Support for additional assistance.
READ MORE +
LESS -

Artel Pipette Tracker Software End of Support is December 31, 2020.  Click here for more information.
My PCS2 or PCS3 is unable to communicate with PCS Software.
Ensure the PCS2/PCS3 is set to “computer link mode”. Check the PCS2/PCS3 COM port settings on the computer (Control Panel|Device Manager).
Ensure that an Instrument Type of Artel PCS2/PCS3 is used when configuring the instrument in PCS Software and that the COM Port setting is set to the port that the PCS2/PCS3 is connected to (the default COM port is COM1; if you are using a USB adapter, a different COM port has likely been assigned by the computer). If a USB adapter is needed, please contact Artel Technical Support.
READ MORE +
LESS -
My PCS is unable to communicate with PCS Software.
Check the PCS COM port settings on the computer (Control Panel|Device Manager). Ensure that an Instrument Type of Artel PCS is used when configuring the instrument in PCS Software and that the COM Port setting is set to the port found in Device Manager.
If you need additional assistance, please contact Artel Technical Support.
READ MORE +
LESS -
Do I need to have Windows Administrative privileges to use Artel Pipette Tracker software?
You will need to have Windows Administrator privileges to install and register the software.
For daily use of the program:
  • Windows XP and Vista users should have Windows Power User Privileges.
  • Windows 7 users should have elevated permissions to the application folder and registry node. See technical bulletins below.
Technical bulletin for Artel Pipette Tracker v3.3 Windows 7 requirements
Technical bulletin for Artel Pipette Tracker v3.2 Windows 7 requirements
These are Microsoft requirements that are not specific to our software program.
READ MORE +
LESS -

Artel Pipette Tracker Software End of Support is December 31, 2020.  Click here for more information.
How do I sort my worklist or inventory in Artel Pipette Tracker software? For example, how do I sort the display by owner?
The easiest way to sort the worklist and inventory is to click on the column header. The worklist will be sorted alphabetically by the data in the column. Each department can also print out a report with their own inventory on it by creating a report that filters only their pipettes.

Artel Pipette Tracker Software End of Support is December 31, 2020.  Click here for more information.
Do I need a computer in the same room as the PCS2 /PCS3 to use Artel Pipette Tracker software?
Yes. The program is tightly integrated with the PCS instrument and it needs to communicate with the instrument.

Artel Pipette Tracker Software End of Support is December 31, 2020.  Click here for more information.
Does the Artel Pipette Tracker software notify the administrator of a user lockout?
It is possible for an email notification to be sent to someone (i.e. administrator) when a lockout occurs. For example, if someone is locked out of the software due to using someone else’s password incorrectly, an email will be sent to the administrator’s email informing of this lockout.
They will remain locked out until the administrator unlocks them. This feature is found in Security Setup Account Lockout and Admin Notification.
READ MORE +
LESS -

Artel Pipette Tracker Software End of Support is December 31, 2020.  Click here for more information.
Can Artel Pipette Tracker be used on a Windows 10 operating system?
No, it is recommended that APT users upgrade to PCS Software for compatibility with Windows 10. Contact Artel toll-free at 888-406-3463 and speak with one of our sales representatives for details.

Artel Pipette Tracker Software End of Support is December 31, 2020.  Click here for more information.
How do I backup/restore my PCS Software database?
The videos below walk through backing up the PCS Software database via an automated Windows Scheduled Task or a one-time database backup. A separate Database restore video is also provided. If you prefer a Technical Bulletin detailing these procedures, please contact Artel Technical Support.

Attention: The videos do not contain audio at this time. Please follow the screens and/or specific instructions that may be indicated.