Merged Markush Service (MMS) Users Meeting in the US

The first-ever US Merged Markush Service (MMS) Users Meeting was held in the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick on October 10, 2007, the day after the Northeast PIUG Conference.  New enhancements, problems and suggestions were provided by the eleven MMS experts in attendance.

The meeting was similar to the European MMS Users Meeting held last April in Ludwigshafen, Germany and similar topics were discussed.
Presentations by Questel and Thomson included a summary of  the European MMS Users Meeting and enhancements to the MMS system (Joe Terlizzi), some of the problems and issues encountered in transferring the database to Questel from INPI and to Unix system (Pierre Buffet), and the participation and indexing of new records by Thomson (Donald Walter and Steve Jajkowski). 
The remainder of the meeting was devoted to the discussion of problems and suggestions.

Problems discussed were:

• Compound Numbers (CN) for which there are no corresponding WPI records.  (For identifying these “missing CNs” use the “*MDARCLIST <NAME>/CN” in the Derwent World Patent Index file - see the MMS Miniguide (http://www.questel.com/en/customersupport/userdoc/docpdf/MMS_Miniguide.pdf ) For most cases, CNs have been replaced by other CNs and the replacements should retrieve the correct records.  Unfortunately, there appears to be no record trail for the replacements so it makes it difficult to know which CNs have been replaced. It would be extremely helpful if Thomson could identify the replaced CNs so that they can be deleted from the MMS database.  The remaining “missing CNs” should also be identified and indexed appropriately in the bibliographic file. Missing CNs encountered during a search can be sent to ts.support.emea@thomson.com, Gez.Cross@thomson.com  or Don.Walter@thomson.com.
  
• Problems with the display in the Java viewer also prompted discussion. These included:
  • Skewed structures
  • Overlap of fragments
  • Display of SN (single/normal) and DN (double/normal) bonds
  • Structure from a previously validated search being displayed (Questel has done considerable work on this problem since this meeting and it seems to be corrected).
  • In addition, the SUBACCT and OP commands do not always work properly.

Suggestions provided by the group included:

• Publish a list of the missing CNs on the Thomson website
• Improve the robustness of the server and consider a mirror site (robustness has improved somewhat, but mirror site is not possible)
• Scan the Thomson Markush Darc User Manual 1994 (note: add hyperlink) and make it PDF annotatable.
• Create a Hit CN format in DWPI and PHARM
• Form a MMS ListServ where users can post questions and be informed of problems by Questel. Readers who support this idea can e-mail Joe Terlizzi at JTerlizzi@questel.com.
• Check to see if Imagination is tested for Vista (it works for Vista)
• Distribution of the Topfrag software

All in all, it was a very lively meeting and everyone was glad to have been able to attend.

MMS Documentation Added to Questel Home Page

Links for two essential MMS documents from Thomson, never available electronically before, have recently been OCRed by Thomson and made available to us.  They are: the Thomson Markush Darc User Manual; and the Topfrag Manual.  The Thomson Markush Darc User Manual preceded the INPI MMS User Manual.  Though somewhat dated, both the Thomson and INPI manuals provide timeless information on indexing rules and conventions, Markush Darc codes, and query input. From our home page at www.questel.com, the new links can be accessed by two routes:

Click Products & Services >> Patents >> MMS - Chemistry
or Click Customer Support >> Documentation >> Manuals