Debra L. Allison

Poster Session: Moving to an Online Environment for Chemical Information at Merck and Company

In 1972 the Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories (MSDRL) implemented the in-house developed Chemical Structure Information System (CSIS). The system is batch-oriented and the expertise of an information specialist is required to search the database. The software has an intricate database updating process. After more than ten years of use, an extensive study was begun to evaluate alternatives for either replacing or upgrading CSIS. The end result was to have an online interactive system. At the conclusion of the study and beta-testing, the MACCS software from Molecular Design Limited was selected to replace CSIS. A technical staff was organised and trained. The CSIS database conversion was begun. End-user training programs were developed and classes made available to the MSDRL staff. Work continues with the resolution of online updating deficiencies in MACCS versus CSIS and interfacing chemical structures with chemical and biological data.