Sony ID7000 Data Handling and Storage

Export, data management, and retention policy

Standard operating procedure for exporting, organizing, transferring, and deleting data generated on the Sony Spectral Cell Analyzer ID7000 systems, including FCS files, experiment files, and reference controls.
Published

November 21, 2025

Protocol ID: GEN-FLOW-SONY-ID7000-DATA
Version: v1.1
Author: Dillon Corvino
Adapted from: FCCF SOP – Data handling on Sony ID7000 systems fileciteturn1file0

Purpose

This protocol defines mandatory rules and best practices for data export, organization, storage, sharing, and deletion for experiments performed on the Sony Spectral Cell Analyzer ID7000.

The aim is to: - Prevent data loss - Avoid unnecessary duplication of experiments and unmixing matrices - Ensure compliance with FCCF data-retention policies - Reduce congestion on instrument and analysis workstations

Scope

This SOP applies to: - All users of the Sony ID7000 - All instrument PCs and external analysis workstations I and II - All data types generated by the ID7000 software, including: - FCS files - Experiment files (.exdat) - Spectral reference controls

Core rules (read before use)

WarningMandatory rules

Failure to follow these rules may result in permanent data loss without notice.

  • Export FCS files and experiments immediately after each measurement
  • Only store data inside your personal USER folder
  • All data outside the USER folder will always be deleted
  • FCCF performs bi-weekly deletion of:
    • All experiments and library controls in the ID7000 software
    • Exported experiments and FCS files in USER folders older than 6 months
  • Users are responsible for early deletion of data no longer needed

Data types and definitions

Data type File extension Description
FCS files .fcs Event-level flow cytometry data
Experiment files .exdat ID7000 experiment definitions, layouts, and settings
Reference controls internal / exported Spectral reference controls stored in the library or exported

Exporting FCS files

Using ID7000 Data Agent

  • FCS file export is handled by the ID7000 Data Agent
  • The Data Agent starts automatically when FCS export is initiated
  • The Data Agent icon appears in the task tray

Monitoring export status

  • Hover over the ID7000 Data Agent icon to view export progress and status
  • A log file documenting the export is written to the output folder

Opening the export folder

  1. Right-click the ID7000 Data Agent icon
  2. Select Open Latest Output Folder
  3. Review exported files and the associated log file

Exporting experiment files (.exdat)

  1. In the ID7000 software, go to:
    • File → Database
  2. Click Export
  3. Select the experiment(s) to export
  4. Click Export
WarningUnmixing matrices

Avoid creating multiple unnecessary unmixing matrices. Multiple matrices generate multiple datasets during FCS export and complicate downstream analysis.

Folder structure and organization

Mandatory folder structure

TipOne USER folder per user

Create one folder named with your username as a subfolder of USER on the desktop and use only this folder for all exports.

Recommended structure:

USER/
└── <username>/
    ├── fcs/
    ├── experiments/
    ├── reference_controls/
    ├── projects/
    │   ├── project_A/
    │   └── project_B/
  • You may save the export path in ID7000 Preferences
  • Use subfolders to separate:
    • FCS files
    • Experiment files
    • Reference controls
    • Project-specific datasets

Data deletion and cleanup

WarningData deletion policy

FCCF routinely deletes data without further notice.

You must: - Delete old experiments immediately after analysis on the analysis PC - Delete already analyzed FCS files from all PCs - Delete unnecessary reference controls from the library after export

Additional rules: - Do not make reference controls public (creates duplicates) - Export reference controls before deletion if they are still needed

Sharing reference controls

If you want to share reference controls with colleagues: - Export them to a dedicated folder - Include clear metadata: - Associated project - Experiment name - Date - Fluorochrome / antibody information

Use of external analysis workstations

All rules in this SOP apply equally to: - External Analysis Workstation I - External Analysis Workstation II

Long-term storage and transfer

  • The recommended storage location is the BTC data server
  • Instructions for access:
    • https://btc-community.uni-bonn.de/your-network/
TipBest practice

Transfer data to BTC as soon as possible after export and verify file integrity before deleting local copies.

Buffers Required

Full composition, preparation, storage, and safety information for each buffer lives in its own linked buffer document — only a concise per-buffer summary is reproduced here, generated automatically from that document.

None

Troubleshooting

Issue Likely cause Action
Missing FCS files Export not completed Check Data Agent log and re-export
Duplicate datasets Multiple unmixing matrices Remove redundant matrices and re-export
Data deleted unexpectedly Stored outside USER folder Always export into USER//

Version history

Version Date Author Changes
v1.0 2025-11-21 Dillon Corvino Converted FCCF Sony ID7000 data handling SOP into this repo’s Quarto protocol standard.
v1.1 2026-09-18 Dillon Corvino Replaced # Buffers used (bare library(tidyverse), leaked R package-startup warnings) with an auto-generated # Buffers Required section