Is there logistical support available for existing biospecimen resources interested in upgrading their informatics system?
The NCI will not dictate biospecimen resource software choices, but it does offer a process designed to help institutions identify software that will meet their needs; for example, the cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid (caBIG ) Web site has lists of functionality areas to help identify requirements and match them with various software options (for more information, visit https://cabig.nci.nih.gov/tools). Several for-profit companies also provide analysis and integration services. In addition, the new caBIG Enterprise Support Network (ESN) is designed to help deploy caBIG tools for interested resource managers. (For more information on the ESN, visit https://cabig.nci.nih.gov/esn.) When resource managers aim to build or purchase biospecimen tracking software, it is suggested that they evaluate the true costs of system development, installation, and maintenance; establish a plan for the future to ensure that the software platform is robust enough to last the lifetime of the biospecimen
