"The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency."

-attributed to Bill Gates

It is my pleasure to introduce this issue of Clinical Lab Products as my first with the magazine. Along with the terrific team here at CLP, as editor I'll aim to bring you news that is of both immediate and longer-range importance to you, your colleagues, and the patients and physicians you serve. Our goal is to enhance your ability to do your job—that of running the best and most efficient clinical laboratory possible.

Our cover story this month focuses on recent innovations in laboratory automation. These include new products for sample handling—transport, sorting, centrifugation, and aliquotting—as well as information handling and quality inspection. Although presently used mainly in hospital labs, automation is sure to make its impact felt throughout the industry, as time and financial constraints lead to an increased demand for efficiency. Informatics, middleware, and connectivity with physicians' offices is another area in which clinical labs are constantly working to streamline processes, and in "Putting It Together", you can read about the latest news in middleware that can help to fill the gaps in your information pipeline. Because information handling is such a critical issue in the industry, we will be carrying news on this issue each month—look for our monthly Labworks column to feature this topic beginning in March.

For daily news updates, visit our homepage for our Top News section.

March also brings the annual CLMA meeting, this year in Atlanta. I look forward to meeting there with as many of our readers and advertisers as possible. Please, do not hesitate to get in touch with me prior to that, however. My direct e-mail is , and I invite you to send press releases to . Also, if you aren't already receiving our weekly e-newsletter, CLPrime, please add your name to our mailing list. I welcome your comments and suggestions as we continually strive to improve CLP, and I look forward to your input.

Suzanne Clancy