1. IM 2023 offers improved security that includes measures to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities. IM versions 8.16 and older are no longer receiving security patches.  
2. It runs on a newer InterSystems database, IRIS, that has replaced the Caché database on which older versions of Instrument Manager were built.  
3. IRIS is optimized for increased security and is more suited for cloud computing, interoperability and analytics.   
4. IM 2023 offers other new features, including Test Properties – a web app that increases efficiencies with rules writing. 

View the IM Version History page for a list of IM versions, major features, and their current EoM and EoL status.  

Whether your lab chooses our Standard Upgrade Service, our Base Upgrade Service or an entirely self-service upgrade path, it’s important to have the proper resources on your upgrade team.  These in-house resources should include the following:

• The Project Sponsor will work with DI to set IM Upgrade Service project expectations, identify resource availability, and set timelines for service. The Project Sponsor serves as the escalation point for IM Upgrade Service project issues from the project readiness phase through the deploy and close phases.
• The Primary Point-of-Contact will work with the project team to develop and manage IM Upgrade project timelines, set milestones, and adjust resources as necessary. The PPOC serves as the direct contact and decision-maker for the IM upgrade service from the project readiness phase through the deploy and close phases.
• The IM Analyst is responsible for the IM configuration and maintenance as well as the development of new workflows in conjunction with the validation of the upgrade service. The IM Analyst should have access to the DI My Community and be proficient in the use of IM.
• The IT/Network Resource is responsible for the IM configuration and maintenance as well as the development of new workflows in conjunction with the validation of the upgrade service. The IM Analyst should have access to the DI My Community and be proficient in the use of IM.
• The LIS Analyst is responsible for the LIS interfaces, placing orders, and/or confirming results.
• The Laboratory Resource or subject matter expert (SME) is responsible for all validation to include development of testing and review of documentation.

Additionally, these individuals will need support from your lab’s IT and/or BioMed teams who will be critical in assisting with any server or network infrastructure needs during the upgrade process.

Our Standard IM Upgrade Service has a 10-week implementation with a 12-week period of performance. This timeline includes 2 weeks of project planning and 6 weeks of validation. 

Our Base IM Upgrade Service has a 6-week implementation with an 8-week period of performance. This timeline includes 2 weeks of project planning and 2 weeks of validation.

Our Standard Upgrade and Base Upgrade Services include upgrading a lab’s IM servers. During the go-live stage of the Upgrade Service, we will either:

• Perform an in-place upgrade of the primary production IM system and, if applicable, mirror servers for High Availability, Disaster Recovery, and/or Laboratory Intelligence reporting, or
• Perform a copy of your databases to the previously staged new production servers for a server migration.

We will also copy your validated Global Configuration along with drivers from the test system to the new or newly upgraded production system. This ensures that any changes made during validation are brought forward to production.

Direct licensing of Instrument Manager has many advantages, including being able to upgrade to the newest version of Instrument Manager, receiving direct and responsive customer support, having access to our lab uptime optimization solution, Lab GPS, and more. It’s easy to begin the transfer process to become a direct customer of IM. To learn more and begin the transfer process, click here.