ANALYTICAL AND LABORATORY EQUIPMENT15
The laboratory carries out a wide range of microbiological tests, which adds value by supporting, developing and optimising the baking process
DATA MANAGEMENT LIMS TRANSFORMS Case study showcasing the importance of a LIMS in a cereals, milling and baking science lab T
he use of a laboratory information management system (LIMS) in the Cereal, Milling and Baking
Science Laboratory at Allied Technical Centre (ATC) is a perfect example of how a fl exible, confi gurable LIMS can be adapted by the users themselves to meet changing requirements. Successive versions of the Matrix Gemini LIMS have been implemented at ATC, beginning with V2 in the late 1990s.
The background Allied Technical Centre Berkshire, UK, is part of Associated British Foods (ABF). ATC provides technical leadership in a number of areas, including food safety, food law, product assurance and nutrition, bakery development, environmental management, consumer contact management and cereals, milling and baking science. Facilities include a UKAS- accredited Cereals, Milling and Baking Science laboratory, pilot milling and controlled-temperature shelf-life rooms. T e laboratory acts as a primary reference laboratory for the Milling & Baking Group as well as providing a testing service for other clients. T e laboratory carries out a wide range of microbiological tests, which
adds value by supporting, developing and optimising the baking process. T is in turn drives process control to enable delivery of consistent product quality and optimum production effi ciency. By monitoring and evaluating ingredient functionality, manufacturing costs can be minimised. T e laboratory also has a role to play in new product development and product formulation
Challenges Prior to 1997 ATC used a LIMS that was popular in its day but was fairly crude in its capabilities and infl exible to use. Nevertheless, the head of Analytical Services at ATC at the time recognised the importance of LIMS and the potential it had to off er the company, so instigated the purchase of a new, Windows-based LIMS. T e initial requirements for the LIMS were simply for sample registration and job logging, but it was recognised that much more could be accomplished with a system that could grow with the laboratory to meet its changing needs. T e challenge was therefore not just to fi nd a system that made this possible but to actually implement these changes, as required over an extended period of time.
Following a successful demonstration
by Autoscribe that highlighted the company’s expertise in the fi eld of LIMS and the capability and confi gurability of the product, Matrix V2 was purchased. Initially it was not operated as a full LIMS, but confi gured for registering samples and logging jobs. T e fi rst database used was Microsoft Access. Following training on the confi guration of Matrix, the ATC Technical Support team took ownership of Matrix and began an internal development program that has continued to the present day, to use the LIMS to the best benefi t of the laboratory. A variety of capabilities have been added over the years. T ese include:
Incorporation of internal and external costing information into the sample registration screens – this allows invoice generation for work conducted for non-ABF companies and an allocation of eff ort for work carried out for ABF companies
Development of individually confi gured registration pages for wheat, fl our and milled products, and baked product samples
Addition of runsheets into the system
www.scientistlive.com
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