recall. The computer will be able to carry out a search for the most likely identity of an unknown
sample and present the analyst with a limited number of possibilities. It is important to note that the
computer will not replace the skill and experience of the analyst, but carry out routine preliminaries
enabling him to concentrate his efforts on the final interpretation. In almost all cases quantitative
analysis is carried out by calibration with standards. A computer can store such calibration data and
automatically evaluate routine measurements immediately so that the instrument functions as a direct
reader.
Laboratory Management
The logging of samples submitted to an analytical laboratory is a complex matter involving the
recording of many details from receipt to completion of the required analyses and the generation and
use of a great deal of information. If the laboratory is very large, or more than one is involved, the task
becomes formidable. The following list of requirements illustrates the complexity of the operation:
- Before and during the analysis:
—origin of sample(s), date of receipt and order number—allocation of sample number(s)—listing of analyses required—identity of analyst(s)—status of each analysis—abnormalities encountered during the analyses.- Subsequent to the analysis:
—time taken for each analysis—computation of results—statistical and other applications of chemometrics to the data—library and data bank searches—generation of report in required format—transmission of report to required location(s)—archiving of results—collation with other results and data—receipts for work doneA computerized laboratory can utilize a software package called a laboratory information and
management system (LIMS) to carry out or control all of these requirements provided that computerized
instrumentation, computer terminals, printers and plotters, disk drives etc. are linked together in a local