Software companies are rising to the challenge as the life sciences industries focus on reducing operating costs and increasing efficiency in these tough economic times.  Automating inventory mangement, labeling control and traceability are key areas in this quest.  But it all has to start with consistent identification standards. This effort is being under pinned by widespread adoption of the GS1 standards within these industries.  The news item below is yet another example of the backing that individual healthcare organisations are giving the GS1 standards.