arktic XC overview
arktic XC is a network of arktic units (which can be in multiple locations across a site) connected to form a single storage system.
Vials are routed to and from individual arktics by lab2lab interconnect units.
You access arktic XC through connect AC, which has the same front loading hatch as a single arktic unit. It uses a standalone PC instead of arktic's touchscreen.
It differs from a standard arktic in that the rack is held in a dry atmosphere at 4°C not -20°C
otherwise the vials would be frozen but then thaw again while in the transport tubes. You load
and unload racks in the same way as on standard arktic.
connect AC software overview
connect AC's software has the same status bar, menu and functionality as arktic. You use it in
exactly the same way to store vials and submit retrieve orders. Vials will be stored across all
available arktic units; arktic XC treats them as a single store. You cannot specify which arktic to
store to.
You use the History and Inventory functions in connect AC software exactly as you would for
arktic. Results are returned for all vials in the arktic XC system.
To access Store information, click the i at the top left of the screen. This opens the System Status pop-up.
This gives you feedback on the connect AC unit e.g. temperature, whether a rack is loaded, and
high level feedback on the arktic XC system. Below this are listed the individual arktic stores in
the network and high-level status feedback for each of them. By clicking on individual arktics you
can take them offline e.g. for maintenance and bring them back online.
Next article - Care and Maintenance