Why More Laboratories are Choosing Empower Subscription Bundles

For more than three decades, Waters Empower Chromatography Data System (CDS) has been the trusted foundation for chromatography data management. Empower Software enables laboratories to address regulatory requirements, deliver consistent results, and scale operations. But the pace of change in today’s scientific world is unprecedented- unlike anything labs have experienced before.

Global supply chains, the rise of outsourced partnerships, hybrid working models, and the relentless pressure to do more with less are reshaping how laboratories operate. Against this backdrop, many organizations are realizing that the traditional perpetual software model no longer gives them the agility or efficiency they need.

That’s where Empower Subscription options come in. By combining the proven Empower CDS with modern, cloud-enabled capabilities such as the waters_connect System Monitoring Application, Empower Data Viewer, and, in the ES5 top subscription tier,  machine learning-powered Anomaly Detection— the subscription model is built to support the evolving demands of modern science.

So what does this shift mean in practice? Let’s explore what Empower Subscription is, why laboratories are embracing it, and how it can transform the way you work.

A Practical Way to License Empower Software

With Empower Subscription, instead of purchasing perpetual licenses, laboratories subscribe to tiered bundles that include core Empower CDS Software plus cloud-enabled tools and services. This approach delivers easy access to current software while simplifying how labs plan, budget, and scale their informatics.

Predictability and Control of Costs

Budgets are always tight in the lab. Capital-intensive perpetual licenses can put pressure on finances, with heavy upfront costs followed by unpredictable spending on maintenance or upgrade projects. Subscriptions replace this with a smoother, more predictable model.

Instead of dealing with large financial outlays for each individual software product, subscriptions allow labs to pay a steady, manageable subscription fee, often bundling several software products together for ease and value for money. This makes it easier for finance leaders to forecast spending and for lab managers to plan resources. Just as importantly, it aligns cost with value: you’re paying for ongoing access to a service that is always current and continuously improving. Subscriptions can also improve service efficiency. For example, offerings like the Waters Professional Services Subscription Plans reduce the cost of deploying an upgrade and offer reassurance that support is available when you need it.  

Keeping Your Fleet Running Smoothly

Every lab leader knows the frustration of discovering that an instrument has been idle, in error, or under-utilized for hours…or even days. These inefficiencies add up quickly, delaying results and creating bottlenecks.

With the waters_connect System Monitoring Application— included in every Empower Subscription bundle— supervisors gain real-time visibility into instrument status across their fleet. They can see instantly whether a system is running, idle, or in need of attention. Alerts notify staff the moment something goes wrong, allowing issues to be resolved before they cause costly downtime. The result is better throughput, faster troubleshooting, and smarter use of existing assets. Instead of reacting to problems after the fact, labs can take a proactive approach to instrument management.

Collaboration Without Barriers

Science is no longer confined to one lab or one team. Pharmaceutical companies work with CROs and CDMOs, research organizations collaborate across continents, and hybrid working means analysts and reviewers aren’t always on-site. Yet too often, data sharing still relies on outdated practices, exporting chromatograms, emailing PDFs, or juggling multiple Empower Software versions across sites. These methods are slow, cumbersome, and introduce risks.

Empower Data Viewer, available in ES3 and ES5 bundles, changes this dynamic. It allows chromatographic data to be accessed securely through a browser, without the need for local Empower Software installations. Results can be viewed in near real time, and because it supports multiple Empower Software versions, labs can harmonize data across sites even during phased migrations. This improves transparency, accelerates communication with partners, and makes collaboration seamless. Instead of waiting for emailed reports, stakeholders can see results as they happen, wherever they are.

Faster Data Review with Machine Learning

Manual chromatogram review is one of the most time-consuming parts of a laboratory workflow. Analysts spend hours scanning files, even though most chromatograms are routine. With sample volumes only increasing, review often becomes a bottleneck.

The machine learning-powered Anomaly Detection feature in the ES5 bundle addresses this challenge directly. By automatically flagging chromatograms that deviate from expected patterns, it allows analysts to focus their attention where it’s needed most. The system highlights what triggered the anomaly, whether it’s a shift in retention time, an unusual peak, or another irregularity, so the root cause can be investigated quickly.

Future-Proofing Your Laboratory

Perhaps the most compelling reason to move to subscription is the future. Science is accelerating, and laboratories need tools that can evolve with them. Our subscription bundles ensure you’re always positioned to benefit from the next wave of innovation whether that’s machine learning capabilities, broader monitoring across instruments, performance and results, or new ways to visualize and interpret data. By choosing Empower Subscription, you’re not just upgrading your CDS, you’re investing in a model that keeps your laboratory competitive, agile, and ready for whatever comes next.

A Better Way to Run Your Lab

Perpetual software licenses have played a vital role in laboratories worldwide, but they reflect an earlier era of science that was more predictable in terms of funding, resourcing, and pace of scientific advancement. Today, businesses are required to respond to rapidly changing external factors that will affect their capital, resourcing, and resulting scientific outcomes. High upfront investments are now viewed as a risk, so subscriptions are introduced as a flexible way to respond to those changing factors. For laboratories ready to move faster, work smarter, and prepare for the future of informatics, subscription isn’t just a new way to license software, it’s a better way to run your lab.

Discover How Empower Subscriptions can Transform Your Lab Operations

Read our new whitepaper to explore the benefits, features, and real-world impact of Empower Subscriptions.

Ready to talk to someone about making to move to Empower Subscriptions? Click here to arrange to speak to a Waters representative.