A paperless laboratory

We are currently in the final stages of moving toward a paperless laboratory at Macquarie Geotechnical.

Over the last 18 months we have been developing a mixture of tablet & computer based programs that will allow our staff to move from a paperwork intensive system to a more free flowing system. We looked at the current systems on the market & decided that we could develop better systems ourselves. The major decisions were obviously cost but also that the current software systems didn't do what we wanted & then to modify a current system was cost prohibitive. In addition the support from the software company was an ongoing costs with our greatest issue being 'we need it fixed now'.

We are developing systems that we plan to take to the Geotechnical market in mid-2017 that will be focused on the following areas;

• Laboratory based systems that prompt Technicians and then uses bluetooth to transfer data acquisition primarily at the stage of weighing directly to the spreadsheet. Something as simple as weighing moisture tins which can take between 2-3 hours in the morning now takes less than 20 minutes and has a significant transcription error reduction.
• Geotechnical site investigation field sheets that also operate a prompt based system to ensure that the Junior Engineer/Geologist on-site collects the correct data & samples. This system ill include GPS locating of boreholes/testpits with photos taken with tablets being uploaded onto site plans. Field data is logged directly to the tablet which reduces data entry time back at the office. Data is regularly backed up in the field to another smart device to prevent data loss.
• Quality Assurance sheets. Complying with the paperwork requirements of NATA is intensive and is now a full time position for one of our staff. The new system will significantly reduce the amount of time for monthly audits by reducing duplication of information on the required documentation. In addition audits can be undertaking more quickly because the assessor can undertake a major part of the audit from his laptop with access to the companies network.
• Equipment calibration.Monthly equipment calibration can be undertaken more rapidly again because of the reduce duplication of information on the required documentation. In addition the system prompts the Technician who is undertaking the calibration to be aware of the critical areas of measurement uncertainty that may be affected by the calibration.
• Training records. Our system now operates a training matrix which identifies what staff have undertaken specific training. Macquarie Geotechnical now operates one of the largest NATA scopes of testing in Australia and this system allows us to ensure that our training can be targeted into critical testing areas and this system also works in conjunction with our laboratory based system which ensures that staff have the necessary training to perform the tests that they are undertaking.  

The systems that we are developing are for Geotechnical consulting companies & testing laboratories and we believe that their implementation will be a huge benefit to any sized business.