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Key concepts
Details on documents and templates, the data editors and the Content editor of PLA 3.0.
Templates
Use templates to simplify tasks, standardize processes, and improve data security. Define document structures and initial values for documents, and control who can view and edit document sections and individual elements within documents.
Protection settings
Use protection settings to restrict access to elements, and ensure correct usage of the template.
Initial values
Use initial values for elements to automatically fill element values when creating documents from templates. You can also generate values dynamically based on run-time conditions using placeholders.
Example 1: Placeholders {userdisplayname} and {currentdate}
In this example, we use the {userdisplayname} and {currentdate} placeholders to define a standard document name.

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Explore PLA 3.0, its key features and ongoing enhancements. Learn how it fits into your environment, and how to log in and register.
User interface
PLA 3.0 supports you in your daily work by providing a set of graphical and textual user interface elements. Learn about the different elements and how to use them efficiently.
Key concepts
Details on documents and templates, the data editors and the Content editor of PLA 3.0.
- Documents
  PLA 3.0 securely stores all your data within electronic documents. Documents are organized within a database and presented through a folder tree for easy navigation and access. Your data remains complete, accurate, and consistent throughout its life cycle, thus ensuring data integrity.
- Templates
  Use templates to simplify tasks, standardize processes, and improve data security. Define document structures and initial values for documents, and control who can view and edit document sections and individual elements within documents.
  - Create templates
    Create templates to standardize the setup of new documents. Documents created from templates inherit template settings like document structure, initial values, and protection settings for document elements.
  - Protection settings
    Use protection settings to restrict access to elements, and ensure correct usage of the template.
    - Permissions
      Different permissions are available for adding, deleting and switching elements, and editing element values. Disallowing them all makes an element read-only. When you remove the permissions for viewing an element, operators cannot view or edit the element.
    - Initial values
      Use initial values for elements to automatically fill element values when creating documents from templates. You can also generate values dynamically based on run-time conditions using placeholders.
      - Example 1: Placeholders {userdisplayname} and {currentdate}
        In this example, we use the {userdisplayname} and {currentdate} placeholders to define a standard document name.
      - Example 2: Placeholder {sequence:PADDING:PREFIX:SUFFIX}
        In this example, we use the {sequence:PADDING:PREFIX:SUFFIX} placeholder to apply a counter across documents created from the same template.
      - Example 3: Placeholder sequence:PADDING:PREFIX:SUFFIX
        In this example, we use the sequence:PADDING:PREFIX:SUFFIX placeholder to track coffee consumption.
      - Example 4: Placeholder keyedcounter:KEY
        In this example, we use the keyedcounter:KEY placeholder to distinguish between instructions and requirements.
      - Example 5: Placeholder elementcounter
        In this example, we use the elementcounter placeholder to create numbered instructions.
  - Use cases
    Templates are the main method for creating new documents in PLA 3.0. They support a variety of use cases, from the creation of single assays to the setup of control and monitoring mechanisms.
- Data tables
  Data tables in PLA 3.0 act as containers for observation data or referenced data. You use them to configure the display of observation data and to set up automated data flows between PLA 3.0 documents, thus minimizing the need for manual interaction.
- Position factors
  PLA 3.0 can handle a wide range of plate layouts and is not restricted to any particular format. Position factors in PLA 3.0 support you in defining plate layouts. They let you associate your observation data in PLA 3.0 with its physical location on a plate or rack.
- Data aggregation
  Data aggregation in PLA 3.0 lets you automatically transfer data and results from source to target PLA 3.0 documents, thus supporting complex and compliant operations. Manually entering data in spreadsheets or other programs is not necessary.
Data analysis
Data analysis add-ons offer a wide range of capabilities, ranging from analytical methods over comprehensive analysis to statistical process control. PLA 3.0 also provides a set of add-ons that support and supplement data analysis add-ons.
Data import
Use data acquisition and data import add-ons to import external response values and observation data into PLA 3.0 for further processing and evaluation.
Installation
Details on the deployment and installation of licensed PLA 3.0 versions.
Licensing
Details on the licensing solution of PLA 3.0, the available licensing options, and the activation and management of licenses.
Administration
Details on system administration tasks such as setup and maintenance of databases and add-ons, user accounts, access rights, and migration and update procedures.
Regulatory compliance
PLA 3.0 supports you in achieving compliance with regulations such as ISPE GAMP^® 5 and 21 CFR Part 11. It also provides options to validate PLA 3.0 in your environment.
PDF downloads
Download PDF guides of current and previous framework and add-on versions.
Sample lab
Meet the team of Stegmann Labs Inc. and use our sample laboratory to explore core features and functions of PLA 3.0.
Glossary
Find definitions of terms.

Example 1: Placeholders {userdisplayname} and {currentdate}

In this example, we use the {userdisplayname} and {currentdate} placeholders to define a standard document name.

About this task

The name of each document created from the template should contain static text, the user who generated the document, and the date on which the document was created.

Procedure

To configure the template:

In the protection settings for the Name element, use the {userdisplayname} and {currentdate} placeholders combined with the 'Coffee Consumption' static text as the initial value.

Figure 1. Initial value for the Settings element of a template

Tip: If your operators should not be able to change the document name, remove the Edit value permission from the Name element in the template.

Result

Documents created by the Administrator are named 'Coffee Consumption by Administrator on Day 2021–07–23Z.'
Documents created by the user Benjamin Schneider are named 'Coffee Consumption by Benjamin Schneider on Day 2021–07–25Z.'