Extensibility

PLA 3.0 uses a modular architecture, consisting of a core system called framework and specialized modules referred to as add-ons. This design lets you extend the system's capabilities by integrating extra modules without modifying the core software.

About the PLA 3.0 framework

The PLA 3.0 framework represents the foundation of the PLA 3.0 software. It ensures the integrity and reliability of measurement data and provides features essential for regulatory compliance, including access control, data integrity, security, validation, and traceability.

In addition to these features, the framework provides key concepts such as documents and templates. These elements are shared across the entire software. They are used by all add-ons, ensuring a consistent and standardized behavior throughout PLA 3.0.

The following figure shows examples of features and concepts delivered by the framework:
Abstract depiction of the PLA 3.0 application in icon form. The header is labeled 'PLA 3.0.' Inside the icon, four blue boxes represent framework features and concepts. A legend on the right depicts them as account management, audit trail, documents, and templates.
Figure 1. Framework features in PLA 3.0

For details on framework concepts and features, see the Key concepts and Administration topics respectively.

About PLA 3.0 add-ons

PLA 3.0 add-ons are specialized modules that extend the functionality of the framework. They introduce capabilities such as analytical methods, monitoring, and assay workflows. These capabilities build on the core features and concepts delivered by the framework and let you to set up your work environment according to your scientific and operational needs.

PLA 3.0 add-ons fall into the main categories of data analysis, data import, and supporting add-ons.

  • Data analysis add-ons offer a range of ready-to-use analytical methods such as parallel-line, parallel-logistic, and slope-ratio potency assays, interpolation analysis, and ECx calculations. They let you visualize, document, and report results efficiently.

    For an overview of the available data analysis add-ons, see the Data analysis topic.

  • Data import add-ons let you import observation data from an external system for processing and analysis in PLA 3.0. These add-ons are referred to as Data Acquisition Modules.

    For an overview of the available data import add-ons, see the Data import topic.

  • Supporting add-ons assist the data analysis process with extra options, for example, to document the operator and equipment involved in the analysis or to document details on the contact person at the customer side.

    For an overview of the available supporting add-ons, see the Supporting add-ons topic.

The following figure shows examples of capabilities added by add-ons:
Abstract depiction of the PLA 3.0 application in icon form. The header is labeled 'PLA 3.0.' Inside the icon, four blue boxes represent framework features and concepts. Three colored circles in brown, orange, and yellow represent add-on capabilities. A legend on the right labels depicts the blocks as framework features and the circles as analytical methods, data import, and reporting.
Figure 2. Add-on capabilities in PLA 3.0

Add-ons in your work environment

You can work with all add-ons available in your work environment. When logging in to PLA 3.0, the database you select defines your work environment for the session. For details on how to work with databases in PLA 3.0, see the Databases topic.

To make the functionality of an add-on available in a specific work environment, you need to activate it in the corresponding database. For example, to perform a parallel-line potency assay, you activate the Biological Assay Package. To import observation data from Gen5™, you activate the Gen5™ Data Acquisition Module.

Abstract depiction of the PLA 3.0 application in icon form. The header is labeled 'PLA 3.0.' Inside the icon, four blue blocks represent framework features and three colored circles in brown, orange, and yellow represent add-on capabilities. Arrows flowing into the icon show data from database 1 on the left, providing two of the add-ons (brown and orange), and data from database 2 on the right, providing two of the add-ons (orange and yellow).
Figure 3. Databases and add-ons in PLA 3.0

To perform these actions, PLA 3.0 offers the add-on management feature, which lets you view, activate, and deactivate add-ons for each database. For details on this feature, see the Add-on management topic. For step-by-step activation instructions, see the Activate add-ons topic.

Note:
You can only work with add-ons and add-on versions currently activated for this particular database. This approach guarantees that all users of the database work with the same add-ons and add-on versions.

Versioning and updates

Each PLA 3.0 add-on and the PLA 3.0 framework itself is versioned. You can update individual add-ons independently of each other and independently of the framework. This flexibility lets you adopt new features or fixes for a specific add-on without requiring a full system update.

You can also update the framework to benefit from the latest innovations and improvements without impacting your analytical methods.

Abstract depiction of the PLA 3.0 application in icon form. The header is labeled 'PLA 3.0.' Inside the icon, four light blue blocks represent framework features and three colored circles represent add-on capabilities. Each block and circle is marked with a green update icon, indicating elements available for update.
Figure 4. Versioning and updates of framework and add-ons in PLA 3.0

Add-on updates

You can update an individual add-on without updating the framework. For example, if you work with PLA version 3.0.7, you can update your Biological Assay Package from version 23 to version 27 without the need to re-qualify your PLA 3.0 installation, as the installed framework version remains unchanged.

Two side-by-side PLA 3.0 applications in icon form. Both headers are labeled 'PLA 3.0.7'. Inside the left icon, four light blue blocks represent framework features. From the three add-on circles, the middle one is depicted in orange with a green update icon, representing a update of add-on version 23. Inside the right application icon, the update icon is removed, showing completion of the update to version 27.

For step-by-step update instructions, see the Update add-ons topic.

Important:
Updates to data analysis add-ons may require a re-qualification of your methods. See the Operational Qualification and Performance Qualification topics for details on the steps.

Framework updates

You can update to the current framework version without updating the versions of the add-ons you are using. For example, if you work with version 23 of the Biological Assay Package, you can upgrade from version 3.0.5 of PLA to version 3.0.7 and keep using version 23 of the add-on. This setup lets you use new framework features while keeping your existing assay setup unchanged.

Two side-by-side PLA 3.0 applications in icon form, the left icon depicting version 3.0.5, the right icon depicting version 3.0.7. Version 3.0.5 shows four light blue framework features with a green update icon. Version 3.0.7 shows the same features without the update icon, indicating the completion of the framework update to version 3.0.7.

For step-by-step update instructions, see the Update and migration topic.

Compatibility

Since the introduction of add-ons in PLA version 3.0.5, all add-ons have been designed with upward compatibility in mind. In rare cases, technical or functional changes may affect this compatibility. To ensure proper integration, see the Compatibility matrix topic for a complete version overview.