Product Overview

Northwest Analytical, Inc. (NWA) has provided data analysis and management software to analytical laboratories since its founding. NWA delivered the first version of NWA LIMS, a full-function Laboratory Information Management System, in 1987.

Since that introduction, NWA LIMS has been refined and enhanced to meet the changing needs of a wide range of laboratories, including:

• Manufacturing, Process, and QA/QC laboratories
• Materials testing laboratories
• Independent analytical laboratories
• Government analytical laboratories

This success is due to a unique combination of flexibility, functionality, and support. A successful LIMS is the result of a long-term commitment to analysis, careful planning, implementation, and management. NWA is dedicated to facilitating this process by providing candid, accurate information in a timely manner, including:

• Detailed pre-sale system proposals
• Professional installation, training, and configuration
• Ongoing technical support and updates

With NWA LIMS there aren't any hidden costs. The initial license fees cover the entire software cost so the laboratory won't have to purchase "optional" modules to enhance the application's functionality. The annual maintenance agreement covers all technical support and software upgrade costs.

One of the goals of an NWA LIMS installation is long-term self-sufficiency, and virtually all of our clients administer and maintain their NWA LIMS systems with laboratory personnel.

In today's business and regulatory environment, laboratories must continually adapt to changing reporting requirements and customer needs. NWA LIMS is designed to be flexible and scaleable, allowing laboratories to change and grow without investing in new information systems. Individual laboratories have seen as much as 5-fold increases in their sample load and have updated their hardware several times to meet demand while keeping NWA LIMS in continuous use.

NWA LIMS Capabilities

NWA LIMS is now used by more than 600 laboratory professionals in a variety of markets across North America. NWA LIMS is a 32-bit client/server and web server application combining powerful data handling features with a simple, menu driven, character-based interface. Dynamically configured by laboratory personnel, the database is extremely flexible and can be changed to meet new customer demands. Currently running at sites with 5-70 simultaneous users, NWA LIMS provides a complete, cost- effective solution for laboratories concerned with delivering quality data to their customers.

Database Management

The underlying database structure of NWA LIMS is optimized for managing and reporting laboratory data. NWA LIMS does not store employee pictures, chromatograms, and other graphics data in database records, but you can store hundreds of thousands of records of sample information quickly using a minimum amount of disk space. Adding new users, sample types, descriptive fields and tests is a simple, menu driven process.

NWA LIMS provides a range of sample searching and database inquiry capabilities. For example, users can quickly search the sample database by client, sampling location, or product. In addition to fast database searches, the sample inquiry routine allows for complex search criteria based on multiple demographics and analytical values.

Other types of information needed for efficient laboratory operation can be stored and retrieved as needed using subsidiary databases called Reference Files. For example, NWA LIMS Reference Files allow the lab to store and retrieve customer information. These subsidiary databases are also used to track product specifications, water permit levels, normal nutrient levels, and other descriptive and analytical information. Reference File information can be manually entered by the laboratory or imported from external data sources through ASCII file transfers.

Sample Creation

The laboratory can customize the sample creation process to meet the requirements of each type of sample. The flexibility inherent in NWA LIMS allows the laboratory to continuously adapt to changing needs without delays and downtime. Sample types can be quickly added and changed to accommodate new sources of samples or specific projects. Customized data entry screens based on the sample type allow quick and efficient sample creation.

Batch sample creation facilitates the efficient entry of large numbers of similar samples. Sample labels and log-in reports can be generated automatically. Barcodes can be read during sample creation and included on labels.

Data Entry and Worklists

A comprehensive and flexible worklist system helps manage analyst workload and the flow of samples and information through the laboratory. Data entry screens can be customized to meet the requirements of instruments and methods, and can include calculations to automatically and accurately compute final results based on raw data.

Worklist "patterns" can be predefined or created on the fly to match autosampler sequences and QA/QC requirements. Logical rules can be used to assign follow-up tests or flag the user if an unusual result is entered.

Analytical results can be numeric, short text comments, or lengthy text narratives. On-line help and SOP information can be displayed during data entry. Analytical data can be imported directly from balances, pH meters, and other simple devices using RS-232. The entire data for an analytical run can also be imported via ASCII files created by instrument workstations.

When a result exceeds its specifications, the data entry field turns red and a warning window pops up on the data entry screen.

A report can be called from the data entry screen to display control charts using the built-in QAx controls.

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Report Generation

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The laboratory can customize the report generation process to precisely match both internal and external needs. Final sample reporting is highly automated, with formats defined to match the requirements of each sample type and customer. The LIMS can generate a variety of reports, for internal sample tracking, workload management, and QA/QC. A wide variety of report types are easily created, including:

• Active samples and tests (backlog reports)
• Workload analysis (by sample type and source, analyst, etc.)
• Exception reports (ion balancing, data validation)
• Preliminary reports
• Certificates of Analysis
• Email notifications

A typical reporting process is automated Certificate of Analysis (COA) generation. Formats can be customized to meet differing customer requirements. Once the sample/lot is electronically approved (promoted to the next level) in NWA LIMS, those users that have a menu allowing COA creation can then request the appropriate document, including request for the COA to be electronically emailed to a client. A scanned signature can be included on the report.

NWA LIMS has a built-in query system that can extract information from its database and deliver it to other databases or applications. This screen shot shows data exported from NWA LIMS to an ASCII text file in the CSV format. The CSV format can be read directly by Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet applications.

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ODBC Database Connectivity

The NWA LIMS report writer can read and write data to other corporate databases via a direct ODBC connection. Data can be written to and read from any database with ODBC drivers (e.g. Microsoft SQL, Oracle, etc.)

Client demographics (name, address, contact, etc.) stored in an ODBC compliant database could be retrieved for a particular sample and displayed on a laboratory report.

Quality Assurance

NWA LIMS provides many tools to ensure the quality of laboratory data. Extensive audit trail logs can be used to track all of the changes to a sample from initial creation to final report. Menu based security ensures that only authorized laboratory personnel can access sample data or configuration parameters.

Context sensitive help is available during data entry. Methods and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) can be stored on-line. Analysts can look at the method on the screen, search for key words, or print the information for future reference.

Method based quality control data is stored in a dedicated database. NWA LIMS provides standardized control charting for blank, known, duplicate, spike, and matrix spike duplicate QC types. The data on a control chart can be filtered by number of points, date ranges, analyst, instrument, etc. QA/QC information for a sample or group of related samples can be included in final reporting to meet customer requirements.

NWA LIMS Web Server Module

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NWA LIMS Web Server module provides web-based reporting capabilities for laboratories and their customers. Laboratory data and reports are created using the NWA LIMS report writer. The laboratory data is uploaded to the web site using a secure, reliable, communications manager. The Web Server provides simple, easy to use administrative tools to monitor and update customer accounts. The web server utilizes Microsoft IIS/SQL and ASP pages to deliver web content.

NWA LIMS Delivered via a Web Portal

Web users can specify customized data download formats. These formats can be used to view data in an HTML table or the data can be downloaded as a CSV or Excel data file. Reports are available to customers at the touch of a button. The reports are created by NWA LIMS and can contain embedded SPC charts to provide a great deal of analytical content. In this case, the content of SPC charts grouped together in this fashion is necessary for decision making about this sample and lot, and as importantly, gives you a much better idea as to what is happening with the analytical parameter over time. The web portal can be used to deliver any LIMS report including analytical data and invoices.

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