increasing laboratory efficiency and value of laboratory data by maximising the use of common data...
DESCRIPTION
Managing laboratory test data can be time consuming and expensive, especially if inefficient systems are resulting in double or triple entry of data. The introduction and requirement to produce AGS data on the majority of construction projects in the UK, coupled with tough economic conditions have forced UK laboratories to increase their efficiency dramatically.This paper and accompanying presentation will discuss the merits of AGS data, introduce the two golden rules for data entry and illustrate how AGS data and the golden rules can help laboratories increase their efficiency if implemented correctly. Finally, the benefits will be demonstrated using KeyLAB, the UK's leading geotechnical laboratory management package.Powerpoint presentation given at conferenceTRANSCRIPT
AGTA Conference Brisbane - October 2012
Roger Chandler Keynetix Limited, UK
1. Paper
2. Links to external publications and
websites
3. This presentation
4. Links to free software
www.keynetix.com/agta2011
My Background
Geotechnical Engineering background
Active member of the AGS Data Management Committee since 1997
Member of the British Standard team on geotechnical data management
UK Representative on the DIGGSml Project
Working on a daily basis assisting laboratories and site investigation companies around the world improve their data management
Keynetix - Co Founder and Managing Director
Supplies range of solutions for Geotechnical Data Management
Onsite PDA and Tablet PC logging
Borehole Logs and Data Management
Geotechnical Laboratory Management
2D/3D Visualisation and CAD
National and Local Web Based Archives
Over 400 customers in over 23 countries
Majority of UK geotechnical laboratories use KeyLAB or KeyAGS.
Current Markets
UK vs. Australia
Client Deliverables
Data vs. Information
AGS
Background and use in Australia
Best way for Labs to capitalise on its introduction
Demonstration
Client
Consultant
Geotechnical Laboratory
Chemical Laboratory
Site Investigation
Company
Client
Consultant
Geotechnical Laboratory
Chemical Laboratory
Site Investigation
Company
Client
Consultant
Geotechnical Laboratory
Chemical Laboratory
Site Investigation
Company
UK …
Large SI companies have their own labs
Many small independent labs
No consultants have labs
Construction market in recession
Labs fighting to survive
Data Deliverables vital for any Civil Engineer job
Australia….
Limited research conducted in July 2011
Data Deliverables not often produced
“Keep saying no and eventually they stop asking”
Market stronger than UK – labs appear very busy
Lots of recognised inefficiencies in handling data
Data
Text file CSV
AGS file
Data logger TXT
Excel Spreadsheet
Information
PDF file
Word file
Excel Spreadsheet
Rule 1 - “Only enter data once”
How many times did you type the sample reference?
Rule 2 - “Get someone else to do it” How many times did site staff type the sample reference?
Log data as close to source as possible
and then transfer in an open format such
as AGS
AGS
Laboratory Software C
Field Staff Software D
Consultant Software B
Client Software A
**Group Name
* Header Names
Units
Data (“Variables”)
Client
Consultant
Geotechnical Laboratory
Chemical Laboratory
Site Investigation
Company
= AGS File Transfer
History 1989 – UK Committee formed
1992 – Version 1
1994 – Version 2
1994 – HK AGS (Hong Kong)
1999 – Version 3
2007 – RTA AGS (Australia)
2007 – NZ AGS (New Zealand)
2010 – Version 4
2011 – Australian Geomechanics Society committee formed for national AGS format
2011 - NZGS formed national committee
Common Adoption 1
Often seen a painful output process
Avoid producing as long as possible
Complain how expensive it will be to produce for the client
Deliver it late to the client
Common Adoption 2
Use format internally to reduce data entry in lab
Sample references
Electronic scheduling
Able to produce it easily when required
KeyLAB
Most used geotechnical LIMS in UK
New version released this year for international market
Works in Microsoft Excel and SQL Server
Easy to extend to additional tests
Easy to customise input templates
Easy to customise reports and certificates
AGS 3.1, AGS 4 compliant
From today it is RTA AGS compliant
KeyLAB
1. Importing of client’s AGS data 2. Printing Laboratory Sheets 3. Entering test data 4. Importing data from loggers 5. Exporting AGS data for client
Free Scheduler
1. Importing of sample data 2. Scheduling 3. Export of AGS data to send to lab
1. Paper
2. Links to external publications and websites
3. This presentation
4. Links to free software
www.keynetix.com/agta2011
Agents wanted