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Commercial Testing Services
Unlike other types of laboratories, the “product” that generates revenue for Commercial Testing Laboratories is information. WinLIMS® is the one software tool that can be used throughout the entire process to efficiently and effectively manage the laboratory’s “product” starting with the issue of quotations and ending with delivery of the analytical report and invoice to the customer.
In addition to the standard sample processing features that are common to most laboratories, WinLIMS® provides a host of features that are specifically designed for Commercial Testing laboratories. Some features include:
- Test and Test Group Pricelists
- Customer-Specific Pricelists
- Quotation & Invoicing
- Priority-Based Turnaround Time and Charges
- Automated Report Distribution via Email
- Interfaces to Accounting Systems
- Portal for Customer Access to Data and Reports
Once WinLIMS® has been implemented, all other software can go by the wayside because all information will be managed and available within a single application.
Customer Portal
A web portal allows your customers to create their own requests and samples while avoiding inefficiencies that are often experienced by eliminating duplication of effort and transcription errors. The portal also allows customers to monitor the progress of work, access validated and/or approved data and retrieve their reports without disrupting the laboratory staff with phone calls and emails.
Workflow Management
The status of lab requests, samples, tests and schedules are automatically updated within interactive dashboard web parts to allow the throughput to be continuously monitored. With little or no effort, you will identify and circumvent problems before they occur. In addition, barcodes can be utilized to positively identify and track samples as they are processed.
Automated Reports and Emails
Reports can be sent automatically based on status change or timing to ensure that information flows to the right people at the right time. This means that COAs and invoices can be issued to customers upon final approval, notifications & warnings can be sent to responsible staff members via email or text, labels can be printed, and management reports can be sent without any time-consuming, manual effort.
Quotation and Invoicing
Basic pricing for each Test and for pre-defined Test Groups can be assigned within WinLIMS®. In addition, customer-specific pricing is also available if required. Site-specific prioritization levels can also be implemented to automatically calculate turnaround times (compensated for weekends and holidays) and adjust the prices of requests, samples and/or individual tests. This information can be used to generate quotations and invoices. Invoice data can be passed to your accounting system to provide a seamless flow of information from beginning to end.
WinLIMS® provides all of the functionality that is required to run a modern laboratory right ‘out-of-the-box’ so you can start using your WinLIMS® software within hours of installation.
WinLIMS® role-based security system can be integrated with Active Directory to limit users to only the information and functionality that is associated with their role within the laboratory to ensure the integrity of your data.
Product specifications, test methods and other information that is subject to re-versioning is managed within WinLIMS® ensure data accuracy and product quality with a full audit trail of all changes that are made.
Samples can be manually created individually or in batches via PC or handheld device to accommodate the workflow of your operation. Creation of samples can also be initiated via interface to 3rd party applications (e.g., ERP systems) to eliminate duplication of effort and user error.
Laboratory and product workflow status are automatically assigned by WinLIMS® to guide samples to and through the laboratory. Dashboard web parts allow instant access to this information to efficiently monitor the progress of lab work and your facility’s production process.
A variety of manual and automated results entry screens and tools allow results to be entered into WinLIMS® in a manner that is natural to your work environment. All data entry provides instantaneous feedback that indicates the quality of the product being tested to allow rapid management decisions.
Multiple levels of peer and management review of test, sample and product information are provided to ensure that the release of information conforms with your organization’s policies. If appropriate, release of information can be automated as long as all data conforms to product specification limits to add efficiency.
WinLIMS® includes a powerful calculation engine that allow both simple and complex calculations to be performed based on the entry of raw data. The use of automated and validated calculations simplifies the entry of result while ensuring that all calculations are accurately and consistently performed.
Documents that represent product specifications and testing methods can be attached to their associated WinLIMS® records to provide instant access during the testing process. In addition, WinLIMS® includes a full document management system that can be used to manage all of your organization’s documents in a controlled manner.
WinLIMS® includes an instrument/equipment management module that inventories all instruments to automatically schedule maintenance. In addition, all calibration and control information is captured and provides on-going statistical information to ensure the integrity of data that is obtained.
Statistical evaluation of data using the Western Electric rules is immediately available at the time of results entry that allows process information to be evaluated to avoid production problems. On-line SQC charts can be issued with the click of a button to efficiently monitor historical information.
A variety of site-specific reports are issued by passing information from any page or query to the report by the click of a single button. Reports can be saved in a variety of formats (e.g., PDF, Excel, Word, etc.) to simplify the sharing of information to consumers and allows them to receive the data in the format that is pertinent to their needs.
WinLIMS® includes mobile apps that are specifically designed for use on smartphones and tablet PCs to create sample records as samples are collected on the shop floor, allow in-process readings to be recorded and provide instant access to QC data on-the-go.
WinLIMS® menus and pages are inherently multi-lingual. This allows users within multi-national laboratories to see the menus, pages, messages, etc. in local language for more comfortable use. In addition, the software automatically offsets time zone differences and presents dates and numbers based on the culture of the local country adding to the ease of use.
Modifications made to all data is recorded within the WinLIMS® audit trail which is essential for organizations that serve regulated industries. The audit trail also allows you to investigate issues that arise when data is erroneously modified.
The WinLIMS® Shelf Life module allows the definition of testing protocols and manages pull schedules, labels, inventory reports, schedule adjustments, reports and other functions to provide an effective means of efficiently managing the demands of Shelf Life testing.
WinLIMS® allows you to record the equipment and reagents that are used in conjunction with micro testing and schedules the incubation times to simplify workflow. The scheduling provides read time notifications while serial dilution calculations ensure that the correct information is recorded and reported.