Hive - MS Data Handling Solution

Hive

An AI-Friendly Data Access Framework for Mass Spectrometry

Hive helps developers and scientists create custom mass spectrometry data analysis tools more easily.
Through unified access to vendor raw data *1 and fast binary data handling, Hive lowers the technical barriers to building scripts, applications, and AI-driven workflows.

*1 See below for details on supported manufacturers and supported formats.

What is Hive?

Hive is a mass spectrometry data access framework that brings together a unified Hive format, common APIs, SDK tools, and runtime components for accessing MS data across supported vendor raw formats.

Developers can use Hive from multiple programming environments, including C#, C++, Java, and Python. Platform support depends on the Hive component and runtime environment.


Features

Hive offers three core capabilities for efficient mass spectrometry data analysis.

Unified Vendor Data Access

Vendor raw data is converted into a unified Hive format for access through common APIs.
Applications built with Hive can support multiple vendor formats through the same data access workflow.

Supported raw data formats
Agilent MassHunter/ Chemstation [.d]| Bruker [.d]| SCIEX *2 Analyst [.wiff]| Shimadzu LabSolutions/ GCMSSolution [.lcd/ .gcd| .qgd]| ThermoFisher Xcalibur [.raw]| Waters MassLynx [.raw]| Other Common Formats [.mzXML/ .mzML/ .netCDF]
*2 SCIEX OS [.wiff2] data not yet supported

Fast, Cross-Platform Data Handling

The Hive format is optimized for fast access to spectra, chromatograms, and metadata.
Its binary data structure helps support responsive data retrieval for interactive analysis, repeated processing, and AI-driven workflows across multiple programming languages and platforms.

Distribution-Ready Development

Developers can build applications with Hive and distribute them for commercial or non-commercial use under the Hive Developer License.
No API license fees are required for development or distribution, while a Hive Runtime license may be required for workflows that read vendor raw data in the end-user environment


Principles

Hive simplifies mass spectrometry data processing by converting vendor-specific raw data into a unified format. This eliminates compatibility issues between different instruments and manufacturers.

The unified format, known as the Hive format, can be read using the Hive Reader API. Two types of files are supported:

mzB File

License-free format that can be shared and used freely. Ideal for public databases and lightweight distribution.

HMD File

Generated from raw data using Hive SDK. Requires a Hive Plus license for access.

By using these files as intermediates, developers can build software that works across data from multiple vendors, while end users can analyze data without worrying about the original file format.


Plans

The Hive SDK is available free of charge for development and data conversion.

The Hive SDK beta version includes all of the Hive Plus features that are available until the release date at no cost, but a Hive Plus license will be required after the release to read Hive format data except mzB files.

Licenses will be offered on a monthly or yearly basis. Pricing details will be announced upon release.

Hive Free

$ 0 /month

no tax Not released yet

Hive Plus - Monthly

$ TBD /month

inc. tax Not released yet

Hive Plus - Annual

$ TBD /year

inc. tax Not released yet

Compare plans

The differences between Hive Free and Hive Plus are as follows. The Hive SDK beta offers all the features of Hive Plus currently available, except for some pre-release features, free of charge until the release date.

Hive Free Hive Plus
For users
Data Browsing App - Not released yet This function is not released yet.">
mzB file support
Raw data & HMD file support
For developers - Hive SDK
Hive Reader API [C#/Java/Python]
mzB file support
HMD file support
Hive Data Checker
Local HMD File Conversion
Command-line HMD File Converter
Common
Data Security / Opt-out option
Help center access - Not released yet This feature has not been released yet.">
Priority email support (within 3 biz. days)

Try Hive SDK beta

The Hive SDK beta is available free of charge and includes all current Hive Plus features. Please enter your email below to receive a download link.

By requesting the download, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Note that specifications may change without notice during the beta period.

Request Hive SDK beta Download

FAQs

The following are the main inquiries and answers we have received regarding Hive and the Hive SDK. If the FAQs do not answer your question, please contact us.

Q1. Is Hive an AI software?

No. Hive itself is not an AI model or AI assistant.

Hive is a mass spectrometry data access framework that helps software, scripts, and AI-driven workflows access spectra, chromatograms, metadata, and other MS data through common APIs.

Q2. How does Hive support AI-driven MS data analysis?

Hive makes MS data easier to retrieve programmatically across supported vendor formats.

By providing common APIs and fast access to spectra, chromatograms, and metadata, Hive helps AI-driven workflows work with MS data while reducing the need to account for differences between vendor formats.

Q3. What programming languages and platforms does Hive support?

Hive provides APIs for multiple programming environments, including C#, C++, Java, and Python.

Supported platforms depend on the Hive component and runtime environment. Please refer to the latest Hive documentation for details.

Q4. What are Hive-format files, and how are they different from mzML?

mzB and hmD are Hive-format data files used for MS data access through Hive.

mzML is widely used as an open data exchange format. Hive-format files are designed for fast, programmatic access to spectra, chromatograms, metadata, and other MS data through common APIs.

mzB files can be read without a Hive Runtime license, while hmD files may require a Hive Runtime license when read by end users.

Q5. Is Hive free to use for development?

Yes. Hive APIs can be used for development without API license fees under the Hive Developer License.

Developers can build applications with Hive for commercial or non-commercial use. Runtime license requirements may apply separately depending on how MS data is accessed in the end-user environment.

Q6. Can I distribute or sell software built with Hive?

Yes. Developers can build applications with Hive and distribute or sell them for commercial or non-commercial use under the Hive Developer License.

No API license fees are required for development or distribution. A Hive Runtime license may be required for workflows that read vendor raw data in the end-user environment.

Q7. Do end users need a Hive Runtime license?

It depends on the workflow.

End users do not need a Hive Runtime license to read mzB files. A Hive Runtime license may be required for workflows that read vendor raw data in the end-user environment.

Q8. How can I learn how to use Hive?

You can download the Hive SDK beta to access documentation, sample code, and development tools.

Additional online documentation and examples will be provided as the product approaches official release.