Thank you to everyone who attended our recent webcast, Bring Your Own Cloud: Clinical Testing at Scale with VSWarehouse 3. We’re thrilled about the level of engagement during the Q&A session and wanted to take the opportunity to elaborate on some of the key questions asked. Here’s a recap of the answers:

1. Is it more expensive to run on the cloud?

The short answer: It depends on your specific needs and use case. Here’s why:

• Pay-As-You-Go Efficiency: Cloud infrastructure often appears more expensive on a per-hour basis compared to purchasing on-premises hardware. However, on-premises servers must be purchased and maintained to accommodate peak usage periods, meaning they might sit idle during less intensive times. With cloud solutions, you pay only for what you use, such as high-performance servers for a few hours to handle demanding analyses, which can lead to significant cost savings.
• Storage Lifecycle Optimization: Cloud platforms offer storage solutions that can automatically migrate data to less expensive tiers over time, based on access frequency. This “data lifecycle management” ensures that you’re not overpaying for infrequently accessed data while still meeting long-term retention requirements.
• Capital vs. Operational Costs: On-premises infrastructure involves upfront capital investment, depreciation, and ongoing IT maintenance. Cloud computing shifts these expenses into a usage-based operational cost model, offering greater financial flexibility for organizations.

The bottom line is that cloud solutions can be more cost-effective when considering the ability to scale up or down as needed and the reduced overhead for IT support and infrastructure management.

2. Do you have integrations with Archer Dx?

Yes, we are familiar with Archer Dx, now part of IDT, and its specialized capabilities. Here’s what you need to know:

• Current Integrations: VSWarehouse 3 supports API-based integration, meaning data and workflows from systems like Archer Dx can be incorporated seamlessly.
• Customizable Automation: The platform’s automation capabilities allow for integration with upstream and downstream systems. For example, you could retrieve data from Archer Dx for secondary analysis or push final reports to electronic medical records (EMRs) or HL7-compatible systems.
• Future Flexibility: Much like our existing BaseSpace integration, we plan to develop new integrations based on user demand. Our goal is to provide flexible, automated workflows that streamline data processing and inter-system communication.

3. We have an existing infrastructure locally. Can we use both that and the cloud solution?

Yes, absolutely—and this flexibility is a key advantage of VSWarehouse 3. Both local and cloud deployments can make sense for different validated workflows, depending on your needs and where you are in your scale-up journey. Here’s how it works:

• Validated Workflow Consistency: Whether you’re running locally or in the cloud, it’s the same VSWarehouse 3 platform. This means you can maintain consistent software and data versions across environments, simplifying transitions and ensuring continuity for your validated workflows.
• Flexibility for Different Needs: Local infrastructure might be ideal for smaller datasets or workflows that fit comfortably within your existing capacity. For larger-scale analyses, such as exome or genome sequencing, cloud resources can provide the scalability you need without additional hardware investment.
• Seamless Transition: Because the platform is identical in both local and cloud setups, you can easily shift workflows between environments as your needs evolve. This ensures you’re always using the right solution at the right time without the overhead of revalidating software or reconfiguring processes.

By offering a unified solution for both local and cloud deployments, VSWarehouse 3 gives you the flexibility to grow and adapt your testing capabilities while maintaining the consistency and reliability your workflows demand.

Final Thoughts

VSWarehouse 3’s Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC) capabilities empower laboratories to scale clinical testing without compromising on data sovereignty, security, or regulatory compliance. Whether you’re evaluating costs, exploring integrations, or considering hybrid deployments, the platform is designed to meet your needs today and adapt to your growth tomorrow.

If you have additional questions or would like to see a demo of these capabilities in action, feel free to reach out to our team. Thanks to all who joined the webinar and asked such great questions, and we look forward to continuing the conversation about the future of clinical testing at scale.