When testing for multiple analytes in complex matrices - whether it be soils, effluent, waste waters, rivers, estuarine water, air, emissions, or noise - environmental testing professionals require straightforward LIMS navigation and easily accessible electronic data reports.  Even within a field as narrow as environmental analysis, there are different requirements between different laboratories. A wastewater site lab, for example, may need different functionality to that required by a commercial environmental lab. 

Most environmental scientists understand the benefits a LIMS can bring to their operation. Among the more obvious ones, a LIMS can help to:

• Reduce transcription errors
• Allow better utilization of staff
  • Reducing the amount of time spent keying in data
  • Permitting user defined calculations and results
• Improve turnaround time
• Provide a clear picture of the status of a user's samples
• Allow for rapid extraction of large datasets, for statistical or other analysis
• Avoid mix-ups with Samples and / or results
• Respond to problems in a timely manner

Thermo Scientific addresses the above demands of environmental laboratories head on with its rich functionality and flexible framework of SampleManager LIMS™.  SampleManager is invaluable to environmental laboratory operations and allows managers to make informed decisions to improve throughput, resolve environmental issues/risks faster, all while enabling organizations to comply with strict regulatory guidelines. 

Improved Turnaround Time and Work in Progress
One of the most critical parameters in many environmental labs is turnaround time since many environmental samples are time-sensitive, and the accuracy of the result can be impacted if holding times are exceeded. By automating data entry tasks and utilizing pre-defined templates for sample analysis and entry, routine sample lists can be created and in seconds. 

Many labs include sample turnaround statistics in their month-end reports. SampleManager allows managers to generate these reports simply and quickly, and to view trends over longer periods. Furthermore, SampleManager allows several filtering and grouping options, so that managers can identify problems within particular areas, such as sample preparation, or with certain analytical equipment. This type of information is invaluable and allows managers to make informed decisions to improve the efficiency of resource allocation.

Laboratory Accreditation
For most labs that analyze environmental samples, accreditation is mandatory for regulatory agencies, however tougher standards are making it increasingly difficult to meet accreditation or certification guidelines.  SampleManager is specifically designed to conform to state or national accreditation standards such as ISO 17025 and UKAS, allowing lab managers and QA officers to concentrate on other areas, knowing that the data management requirements such as audit trails, electronic signatures and data integrity are fully met.

Real Time Data Analysis and Quality Control
By providing operations with up-to-the minute analytical data, SampleManager allows them to adjust process conditions in a timely manner, and to respond to upsets with the minimum of delay. With SampleManager’s set of built-in QC/QA tools, managers can extract datasets from amongst millions of records, and analyze those datasets with unparalleled speed.  Analysts can review quality control charts before submitting results for approval, QA officers and managers can examine long-term trends and finally, it provides auditors with documentary evidence that the laboratory is in control.

In Good Company
Here’s a “sampling” of environmental laboratories who count on SampleManager: Aquas Argentinas, Analycen AB, Australian Water Quality Center, Chicago Water, City of Colorado Springs, Detroit Water, EPAL, Indianapolis Water, Intertek, NSF International, Ondeo, RIVM, Severn Trent, Thames Water, and Yorkshire Water.