IDBS launches XLfit 4 with curve fitting models validated by The National Physical Laboratory
LabAutomation Conference and Exhibition, San Jose, California — February 2, 2004 — IDBS, leading provider of integrated data management, analysis and decision-making software, today announced XLfit 4, a new version of the popular software package for automated curve fitting and statistical analysis within the Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet environment. The United Kingdom’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has worked with IDBS to test the numerical correctness of the curve fitting component of XLfit 4. In addition to newly validated models, XLfit 4 offers new and interactive chart types including 3D fitting and global fitting, and enhanced mathematical methods and techniques.
The National Physical Laboratory’s Centre for Mathematics and Scientific Computing develops and validates mathematical models and software, and offers independent services to aid the development of secure, reliable and robust IT systems. NPL considered sixteen specific curve fitting models from IDBS’ XLfit 4. The organisation generated ten reference data sets for each model and compared test results provided by IDBS for these data sets with reference results held by NPL. Independent validation by the NPL means that company statisticians can now validate XLfit quicker than other curve fitting packages. An evaluation report describing the work and giving the results of the tests is available from IDBS.
“By extending the functionality of Excel and simplifying curve fitting, XLfit 4 provides a straight-forward and efficient way for researchers to carry out their statistical analysis within the familiar spreadsheet environment,” commented Neil Kipling, Chairman and CEO of IDBS. “We are pleased to offer users the added confidence of the National Physical Laboratory’s validation of the curve fitting component, as well as new fit categories, models and features.”
XLfit 4 comes with an extended range of models such as 3D fitting and charting, PA2, global fitting and automatic outlier rejection. These models allow researchers to entirely automate the fitting processes without leaving Excel and to generate the required results quickly. A new global fit wizard in XLfit 4 enables users to apply combinations of models to fit data. This is useful when data is sparse or when results generated only form part of the data to be fitted. Users can chose whether to deploy any of XLfit 4’s extensive pre-defined models and statistics, to tailor these functions or to create their own and share them across the organisation. Advanced security features allow administrators complete control over the level of flexibility available to users.
The seamless integration of XLfit 4 with the Microsoft Office suite ensures that when an XLfit chart is copied and pasted into other applications such as Word or PowerPoint, there is full access to the chart and display details, which may then be edited and saved within the new application – users simply double click a chart to activate it and amend any aspect they choose with the help of context-sensitive menus. A new “preview pane” allows users to visualise edits before applying them. The improved XLfit 4 Chart Designer allows every aspect of a chart’s appearance to be customised such as curve style and colour, axis style, scale and origin and data point symbols. Users can also create graphical templates that allow standard formatting to be applied automatically to different charts.
XLfit 4 is available to trial free for 30 days at http://www.id-bs.com/xlfit4
About IDBS
IDBS works with discovery organisations to help maximise the value of research data, by providing software solutions to capture, manage and use biological and chemical information in an integrated framework. IDBS applications are designed to bridge the gap between IT and science. Headquartered in Guildford, United Kingdom, IDBS has offices in Emeryville, California; Parsippany, New Jersey; and Cambridge, Massachusetts.
About the National Physical Laboratory
NPL is a world-leading centre in the development and application of highly accurate measurement techniques. As the UK’s national standards laboratory, NPL underpins the national measurement system, ensuring consistency and traceability of measurements throughout the UK. Other areas of expertise include the design and characterisation of engineering materials, and mathematical software, especially its application to measurement and instrumentation. For more information, visit http://www.npl.co.uk
For further information, please contact:
Beth Thomas, Marketing Communications Manager
IDBS, 2 Occam Court, Surrey Research Park
Guildford, Surrey GU2 7QB, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 595010
Fax: +44 (0) 1483 595001
Email: bthomas@id-bs.com
