The following customizations were most favored by our clients:

• Efficient and unattended digitization of up to 800 samples in a single scan.
• Versatile magnification options, including the use of oil objectives for enhanced imaging capabilities.
• Seamless integration of channels acquired through various contrasting methods (e.g., brightfield, fluorescence, darkfield, phase contrast) into a single image.
• Simplified creation of Smart Scanning workflows that link multiple scans to gather extensive image information.
• A comprehensive image viewer with diverse tools for displaying, annotating, and analyzing whole slide images.

Slide digitization workflows on the Metafer Platform Software leverage the benefits of motorized microscopes combined with advanced, high-quality imaging automation. These workflows are not confined to specific magnifications or contrasting modes. Metafer is compatible with a wide range of microscope features, allowing users to integrate various techniques into a Smart Scanning workflow. Additionally, Z-stacks can be automatically captured and embedded within the image files, enabling users to virtually "focus" through the digitized sample.

A virtual slide image is generated automatically in the background while the scanning runs. Parameter sets define the employed color channels and the file format of the final image. Since the source image files are kept, new virtual slides with other parameters can be re-created anytime. Metafer users can choose from a variety of output file formats, including the comprehensive, proprietary VSI format. VSI images contain all relevant image information including color channel details, focus stacks, and annotations.

Every Metafer installation includes Neon, a versatile tool for case and image management. Digitized samples are stored in the Neon database and can be accessed through specialized viewing software. The streamlined, modern interface provides a full range of viewing tools, accessible via convenient toolbars that can be hidden, minimized, docked to window corners, or freely arranged on the desktop. Navigation, such as panning and zooming, is easily performed using the mouse and scroll wheel.

The viewer offers extensive options for displaying image metadata. For instance, current slide coordinates can be visualized as grids overlaying the image, and the locations of fields of view (FOV), representing individual camera captures, can be shown as overlays. A navigation bar at the bottom of the screen provides real-time information about the sample's current location, including magnification level, zoom factor, focus level (if focus stacks are available), and the slide coordinates of the window center. Quick-access buttons enable users to select specific magnifications, view the entire image, or adjust focus levels. Additionally, a navigator toolbar displays a thumbnail of the entire image with an indicator highlighting the current section.

Two annotation toolbars simplify the process of highlighting regions of interest. The ‘Scan Regions’ toolbar is designed for setting up the next scan of a specific sample area, allowing users to quickly select a target region and generate an annotation file that Metafer reads directly. The ‘Annotations’ toolbar provides a wide range of tools for marking and emphasizing features within the image. The viewing window can be divided into up to four linked sections, with users able to assign unique display settings to each sub-window. This functionality enables visualization of the same image area using different color channels, overlays, and contrast settings.