Bika Interlab is a combined LIMS (laboratory information management system), workflow, and Web content management system.
The project is best described by extracting from the Case Study
Paper to Web · Proficiency testing at the SA Wine Laboratory Association
Effective proficiency testing is one of the tools employed by SAWLA towards its goal to improve the quality of their wine laboratory members, standardise methodology and provide a forum for communication and access to information.
The proficiency testing scheme (PTS) runs on a monthly basis, two different wine samples per month. The scheme co-ordinator validates bulk wine as homogeneous in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, then bottles and distributes the samples.
Member labs have a week to analyse the samples, on 15 different parameters, and submit their results on-line.
In the on-line proficiency testing system it works like this: The PTS co-ordinator prepares the samples and creates a testing round on-line at the SAWLA web portal. The system automatically informs members per e-mail and provides relevant information about the sample type, distribution and closing date. Member labs fetch their samples, analyse them and enter their results on-line. A senior analyst or manager verifies the data.
After their results were verified, and enough verified results are available to make statistical sense, members may immediately see their comparative stats and performance indicators. They are warned though that these remain dynamic as more labs submit their data. When the testing round closes, members receive their final performances per e-mail.
Analysis results are archived and presented to members graphically via distribution curves, method comparisons and chronological Z-value plots. The system delivers immediate turnaround.
Since the SAWLA system is built on a Content Management System (CMS) platform, it offers benefits in a dynamic interactive web portal at www.sawla.org. The SAWLA portal currently offers a Help centre with training videos, member list and statistics explanations.
The system's CMS capabilities will now be exploited to the fullest in SAWLA's drive to have the system certified ISO compliant. It will serve as document repository for SAWLA's quality control manual, year plan, complaints register, corrective and preventative action forms and register, internal audits, management reviews and skills development packages.
To further stimulate participation, member labs' performances are used to calculate scores per analysis round to determine and display a list of top 5 performers. Labs not making it into the top 5, see their own ranking and score in addition to the list.
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