Web-based inter-laboratory proficiency testing system designed and sponsored by the South African Wine Laboratory Association (Sawla) is developed in open source technologies by Bika Lab Systems
Effective proficiency testing is one of the tools employed by Sawla towards its goal to improve the quality of wine laboratories in South Africa, standardise methodology and provide a forum for communication and access to information The proficiency testing scheme (PTS) runs on a monthly basis, two different wine samples per month.
The scheme co-ordinator validates bulk samples as homogeneous in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, bottles and distributes the samples.
Member labs then have a week to analyse the samples, on 15 different parameters, and submit their results on-line.
In the on-line system it works like this: The PTS co-ordinator prepares the samples and creates a testing round on-line at the Sawla web portal.
The system automatically informs members per e-mail and provides relevant information about the sample type, distribution and closing date.
Member labs fetch their samples, analyse them and enter their results on-line.
A senior analyst or manager verifies the data After their results were verified, and enough verified results are available to make statistical sense, members may immediately see their comparative stats and performance indicators.
They are warned though that these remain dynamic as more labs submit their data.
When the testing round closes, members receive their final performances per e-mail Analysis results are archived and presented to members graphically via distribution curves, method comparisons and chronological Z-value plots.
The system delivers immediate turnaround.
