[Histonet] Service

[WILLIAM DESALVO]

Being from a large large with multiple instrument types and multiple units of many instruments, I find it is worth asking the manufacturer to train your on-site BioMed personnel. Repairing and maintaining Microtomes can be successfully accomplished by properly trained individuals, manufacturer, contract or on-site. You can also seek an independent contractor, but be careful when choosing. Make sure small companies do not have to large territory or are sub-contracted to the major manufacturers as this can cause friction and create turn around time issues to get your instrument fixed. Independent contractors do a great job, just make sure you are getting the service you need.
 
When considering having your BioMed trained, a key factor in this process is to have your BioMed department receive the same training the manufacturer provides to their own and contract service personnel. Depending on your relationship with the manufacturer, BioMed training can be negotiated and there is a wide range for the cost. The key point is you develop a different relationship with the manufacturer that is more of a partnership. We have been successful with BioMed being trained for microtomes, microscopes, conventional tissues processors and H&E stainer/coverslip instruments. I do not suggest this type of service for instruments that are more complex and use a specific reagent set to operate. Once you get into that complexity, there are to many variables to consider to maintain proper performance and I believe the manufacturer is best at this level. When utilizing on-site and properly trained BioMed, down time is greatly reduced, cost of parts are nominal and ordered as needed and your total service cost can be reduced.

William DeSalvo, B.S., HTL(ASCP)




 
> Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:35:05 -0600
> From: sgoebel <@t> mirnarx.com
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: [Histonet] Service
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> I am in Austin Texas and would like to know who people use to service
> their equipment. I have used Biomed before and wasn't really impressed.
> Are there any other companies? The only thing I would really ever need
> service on would be the microtome (brand new Thermo 325). I'm just
> trying to see whether a maintenance contract would be more cost
> effective to pay yearly than to get someone out if something goes wrong
> with the tome. Since it's just a plain jane rotary microtome, usually
> things don't really ever go wrong so I think I know the answer, but
> nonetheless would like repair guy/gal information.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> 
> 
> Sarah Goebel, BA, HT(ASCP)
> 
> Histotechnologist
> 
> Mirna Therapeutics
> 
> 2150 Woodward Street
> 
> Suite 100
> 
> Austin, Texas 78744
> 
> (512)901-0900 ext. 6912
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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