Blog: Applications

Autoscribe Integrates Field Sample Planning and Scheduling Management

28th April 2020

HAND Combined

How do TAPS and HAND help field sampling?

Field testing places a considerable administration burden on companies, whatever the industry. This is where integration of Matrix Gemini LIMS with TAPS and HAND comes into its own. TAPS is a sample planning and scheduling software that was developed in collaboration with water sampling, environmental monitoring companies and regulatory bodies to:

  • Streamline management of field sampling – plan and schedule the sampling program, assign samplers, and print collection round instructions and sample labels.
  • Ensure compliance – planning tools include the ability to select sites randomly (with within pre-defined groups) and to randomize the timing of sample collection to comply with local regulations. Calendar views clearly display the sampling schedule. Missed sampling and testing is identified, allowing any issues to be rectified and corrective action taken as required. Compliance with sampling schedules and regulations can therefore be tracked and maintained.
  • Optimize field testing – each sampler’s collection round can be precisely planned according to geographical locations to minimize travelling time, and ad hoc collections are included as necessary to reduce costs while achieving maximum productivity.
  • Automate laboratory registration – full integration with Autoscribe Matrix Gemini LIMS enables sample preregistration from the daily sampling schedules.
Taps Combined

Analytical result limits can be used to gain immediate on-site verification of any problems while the sampler is still at the location. This saves time and minimizes errors, as well as providing a digital chain of custody. Benefits include:

  • Less need for re-sampling – digital records eliminate the problem of illegible hand-written records and the inherent potential for transcription errors. HAND clearly displays the results of on-site testing and checks the values entered to ensure that they are within the expected range and taken at the correct location.
  • Electronic audit trail – a complete chain of custody from pre-scheduling to sample collection and entry of lab results. Samples can be barcoded, and GPS technology used to confirm the exact position and time of sampling.
  • Increased efficiency – samplers save time by downloading their work schedule remotely rather than visiting the office, and the schedule can be amended during the collection round to avoid repeat visits.
  • Rapid escalation of field issues – if a result is outside the permitted range the sampler receives an immediate warning, allowing re-sampling or early escalation.
HAND Combined

Back in the lab

The integration of Matrix Gemini LIMS with TAPS and HAND provides the connectivity required to link the lab with testing in the field, making sample and data handling easier and more secure. Field data is uploaded to the LIMS via TAPS, and is immediately available to laboratory analysts on opening Matrix Gemini; they can see at a glance how many samples are expected, the ID number and the tests required, along with any test results already input in the field:

  • Samples are received into the lab by scanning the barcode on the bottle or manually clicking the Receive Bottle icon, and any missing bottles are identified.
  • A specific test worklist, for example, for pesticides, can be built and automatically populated with the relevant samples and QCs.
  • On completion of the run, the results are entered into the LIMS. As required, these may undergo validation and approval and relevant information exported back to TAPS.
Matrix Gemini LIM Sv547 May20 Desktop Web W 750px