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This text is designed to introduce laboratory supervisors and managers, who have only a limited knowledge of computer programming, to the use of a relational database for the management of laboratory data. No previous knowledge of a programming language is assumed, as the detailed step-by-step instruction in the text leads the reader through the process of designing the structure of a simple functional Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). The pragmatic tutorial approach adopted in the text leads to an intuitive understanding of the nature of relational databases, and that of Borland's Paradox relational database in particular. The full range of advanced features in Paradox are covered in the text, and each is used in at least one module of the application. The text goes beyond the interactive use of the menu-driven Paradox database, which is covered in many texts on the use of programming languages, and makes extensive use of the Paradox Application Language, PAL, to prepare code for the modules in the Laboratory Information Management System.
E-Book Content
LIMS : IMPLEMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT LIMS: Implementation and Management Allen S. Nakagawa Analytical Systems, Inc. McDonald, Pennsylvania, USA CH EM1STRY A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN 0-85 18&82+X 0 The Royal Society of Chemistry 1994 All Rights Reserved N o part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in anyform or by any means -graphic, electronic, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission from The Royal Society of Chemistry. Published by The Royal Society of Chemistry, Thomas Graham House, The Science Park, Cambridge CB4 4WF Typeset by Vision Typesetting, Manchester Printed and bound by Bookcraft (Bath) Ltd. Preface Each year millions of dollars are spent by corporations, universities, and government agencies worldwide on analysing samples for their physical, chemical, and biological properties. This requires substantial investment in facilities, equipment, reagents, instruments, and highly trained people. This money is spent because testing information is needed to: determine the adequacy of existing processes and products; develop new products and innovative technologies; establish the presence or absence of undesirable conditions for workers, clients, or communities; and conform with reporting requirements or regulations. Today every organization faces competitive pressures to control costs, accelerate innovations, and produce products or services of consistently superior quality. This forces everyone to seek new ways of operating more efficiently while simultaneously maximizing the strategic value of existing resources. Every laboratory and research manager is challenged by rapid advances in analytical technologies, a shortage of trained personnel, and increased pressures to rapidly generate, disseminate, and maintain results that favourably impact their organizations bot tom-line. Recent innovations in automated samplers, laboratory robotics, microprocessorcontrolled instruments, and the refinement of innovative analytical techniques has dramatically increased laboratory data production and testing capabilities. These newer systems create so much data that scientists are forced to direct more and more attention to information management. Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) provide laboratory information handling functions such as sample tracking,'data analysis, calculations, scheduling, data collation, reporting, etc. The available offerings cover a wide spectrum of capabilities and costs. Options range from small personal computers worth a few thousand dollars to room-sized mainframes costing millions. Unfortunately there are hidden costs associated with