How do I get started on a project?↓

Great projects start with a single conversation. Please contact us for an initial discussion about the scope and overall objectives for your project or feel free to provide them through the Contact page on this web site. We will schedule a meeting with you to review your project in detail, discuss various aspects of Research System Automation and how we go about it, and see if it is a good fit for both of us. To move forward with the project, the next step would be to create detailed Engineering Requirements for the system, from which a cost and lead time estimate can be generated. For most new research systems, the amount of time needed to develop the Engineering Requirements is not insignificant, so a consultation fee is usually associated with this work.

How do I pay for this work and how is it scheduled?↓

Based on the Engineering Requirements for the system, we will provide you with quotations for both the Engineering Services required and the MCS Integration Platform Hardware. Clients typically issue two purchase orders (PO) for the project in order to separate the hardware as capital and the services as expense. On receipt of both purchase orders, we will reach out to you to schedule a mutually agreed on timeframe for the project work to take place.

How long is the lead time and how long does a project take?↓

The lead time for delivery of the MCS Integration Platform Hardware is typically 8-12 weeks from receipt of the hardware PO. Engineering Services lead times vary based on equipment availability, your availability and our project workload. Once the Engineering Services begin, a typical integration takes about 4-6 weeks to complete overall, with 3-5 working days at your site. Lead times for custom engineered equipment depends on the complexity of the design requirements and can vary.

What are the warranty and technical support periods?↓

The Rauch Systems MCS Integration Platform Hardware is warranted for one year from the installation date and covers repair or replacement of faulty equipment. The technical support period is 90 days from the installation date and includes phone and e-mail support.

How much time will I be required to engage on this type of project?↓

We partner with you to make sure that we are aligned with all of your project requirements and other details in order to deliver a system that meets or exceeds your expectations. For your part, we ask that you make three main investments of your time. At the start of the project, we work closely with you to develop and review the set of detailed Engineering Requirements for the system. As the project moves closer to installation and start-up, you will need to make sure that all of your equipment to be integrated with the MCS is available, operational and calibrated if necessary. Finally, once the integration work begins at your site, you will need to be available to answer questions and consult with our engineers. The on-site portion of the project typically takes about 3-5 working days. Also during this time, on-site testing and training will require your availability to verify that the system functions as planned, and you are well-versed in its operation.

How is Intellectual Property (IP) handled on projects?↓

Our Research System Automation offering was designed with our clients’ IP concerns in mind. All IP relating to clients’ processes, experimental procedures and data are owned by the client and kept distinct from the MCS Integration Platform through our comprehensive, configuration-driven design. The MCS Software Configuration is created for the client as part of our Engineering Services and completely defines all automation, control and data acquisition aspects of the client’s process/application. The content of the MCS Software Configuration is contained in a distinct set of files and is considered a “work made for hire” so the client retains IP ownership of it. The MCS Software Configuration content is not source code and requires no MCS Integration Platform source code changes that would be specific to the client’s process/application.

Rauch Systems LLC retains IP ownership of all MCS Integration Platform Components. MCS Integration Platform Components are a standard product line for Rauch Systems LLC and are not considered “works made for hire.” Rauch Systems LLC does not provide source code for any MCS Integration Platform Component or for the MCS Director Application. IP relating to any improvements/changes made to the client’s process/application is retained by the client. IP relating to any improvements/changes made to the MCS Integration Platform is retained by Rauch Systems LLC as these improvements/changes never contain client-specific information by design. IP for custom engineered equipment (not the MCS Integration Platform) is owned by the client. Please contact us if you have specific IP questions about your project.