Software
Tracking Calibration Records
Calibration Manager Blue Mountain Software 208 W. Hamilton Ave. State College, PA 16801 814-234-2417; fax 814-234-7077 Version 1.1; $1295
Password protection at authorization levels ranging from administrator to user to database viewer can be used to limit access. If activated, an audit trail feature automatically logs the user, date and time of all changes made to the equipment master list, calibration history, and measurement records. Both old and new values are recorded. Although it slightly slows the data entry process, this feature is useful for tracking how equipment records have been updated or modified. It is especially important for those who need to provide a high degree of assurance that records cannot be tampered with or changed unknowingly. Menu-driven options were easy to follow, even if the program is only used occasionally. Most program features can be run from the main menu without memorizing special commands. This includes accessing equipment master or calibration
history files, generating reports of when calibrations are due, or customizing a number of other specialized report forms or summaries. The master equipment file is the most critical. A separate file is established for each piece of equipment, and it includes a unique identification number that is assigned for each item along with specific information about the type of equipment, manufacturer, model and serial numbers, department and location, contact person, date of acquisition, and usage. Details can also be entered about the calibration procedure, standards to be used, and estimated cost and time needed to perform the task. The calibration history table allows users to record the calibration procedure and standard used, the target values and upper and lower acceptable limits, the values before and after recalibration, whether adjustments were needed, and
Performing accurate analytical testing requires calibration of the analytical instrumentation and apparatus involved. These records must be maintained and updated as needed to ensure accurate data reporting, to meet regulatory requirements of government and contractual commitments on QA/QC, to satisfy supplier and customer demands for documented QA performance, and to obtain ISO certification. Most laboratories maintain written calibration records and scheduled times for recalibration. Calibration Manager is an effective tool for tracking calibration records, scheduling recalibrations, and documenting the findings. This DOSbased relational database software was easy to install on a 90-MHz Pentium (with a new Intel chip) running MS-DOS 6.22. It requires 1.5 MB of free hard drive disk space and an additional 420 KB for the tutorial program. About 560 KB of free RAM is required to run the program. Additional hard disk space is needed depending on the items whose calibration records are being tracked. Users first establish a master equipment listing. Printout reports of equipment calibration due dates and corresponding forms prompt lab personnel to perform the calibrations and record the Calibration Manager's master equipment listing provides information about the specific results in the electronic database. piece of equipment as well as a calibration history. 658 A
Analytical Chemistry, November 1, 1995
other comments (e.g., whether the instrument was in or out of calibration). Data sorting by lab location, individual owner, time when calibrations are due, or many other parameters was straightforward and logically laid out. Files that are no longer needed can be archived onto disk for storage, thus improving the overall performance of the program speed when conducting searches. Archived records can be reloaded if needed. Both beginners and advanced users will appreciate the well-organized manual. The tutorial addresses all the initial questions a beginner would have in setting up the information for all the instrumentation to be tracked by the program. After spending a few hours learning the basics of the package, novice users should be able to customize the package for their individual lab. Examples in the tutorial, together with the templates, are excellent for hands-on demonstrations of all major features. I encountered one software conflict when I tried to delete records while running Calibration Manager in a DOS window under Windows 3.1.1 consider this a minor disadvantage in an otherwise good software package. Although many users may be able to use the package with minimal training, going through the tutorial is important, in part because some of the important features require certain commands that are not easily found in the help menus. The audit trail and password protection are especially valuable features. All program functions performed well. Although entering all the data for each instrument takes time in setting up the files, labs that are aiming for ISO certification would have already assembled these records. Information on when instrumentation is due for recalibration and the records associated with performing the recalibrations are logically laid out in the series of pages for each piece of equipment. Reviewed by F. C. McElroy, Exxon Research and Engineering Company
SOFTWARE RELEASED ChemWeb Softshell Internationa] 1600 Ute Ave. Grand Junction, CO 81501-4614 970-242-7502; fax 800-240-6469 Version 1.0; free, or $29 with phone support and manuals
standard formats, including SD, SMD, and SMILES. System requirements include Microsoft Access 2.0 or higher and Windows 3.1 or higher.
Snap-Master General Analysis HEM Data Corporation 17336 12-Mile Rd. Southfield, Ml 48076-2123 810-559-5607; fax 810-559-8008 Version 3.0; $495
ChemWeb is a chemistry drawing program intended to allow publication of chemistry files on the World Wide Web; these files can then be downloaded and edited Snap-Master General Analysis provides by other users. The program, which can powerful time-domain data analysis, inbe downloaded from SoftShell Online cluding built-in event detection for intelli(http://www.softshell.com), is similar to gent calculations, Boolean logic, filter ChemWindow or Chemlntosh but cannot be models, and more than 50 mathematical used to copy and paste graphics to other functions. The equation builder allows applications or print. ChemWindow or complex equations to be written using a Chemlntosh users can download a free simple point-and-click dialog interface and patch that adds ChemWeb features to their guides the user through each function. existing software. The number of data points that can be processed simultaneously is limited only by the computer's available memory or disk Accord for Access space. Data can be imported in ASCII, biSynopsis Scientific Systems nary, or CSV formats or through dynamic ) 75 Woodhouse La. data exchange. System requirements inLeeds LS2 3AR, UK clude an IBM PC or compatible with a 386 44-113-245-3339; fax 44-113-243-8733; or faster processor and Windows 3.1 or e-mail
[email protected] higher. Version 1.0; $895, $537 academic Accord for Access is an add-in to the Microsoft Access desktop relational database designed to provide chemists with the ability to manage, analyze, and search chemistry and associated data directly within the Access environment. Databases containing thousands of chemical structures can be searched by substructure in seconds on a standard desktop PC, and both chemical and nonchemical data queries can be phrased in a single SQL string. The program offers full cut-andpaste compatibility with desktop chemical editors such as ChemDmw, ISIS/Draw, and ChemWindow, and individual structures or whole chemical data tables can be imported and exported in a variety of
Bookends Pro Westing Software 134 Redwood Ave. Corte Madera, CA 94925 415-945-3870; fax 415-945-3877; e-mail
[email protected] Version 3.2; $129, $49 upgrade
This upgrade oiBookends Pro bibliography management software features a redesigned interface, improved Find and Replace capabilities, user-defined imports, expanded printing capabilities, and the abilities to attach any file (e.g., word processor file, spreadsheet, PDF file) to a reference and by double-clicking open it in the application that created it.
Analytical Chemistry, November 1, 1995 659 A
