Government Laboratory: Sample Information Management System (SIMS)

Project Description:

The Central Sample Logging System (CSLS) maintains a central repository of sample information derived from registration of samples submitted by the clients of the Government Laboratory (hereinafter refer to as ˇ§GLABˇ¨).

Before the redevelopment, the CSLS was a window-based application installed in the computer network of GLAB. Several problems caused GLAB to make the decision to revamp the system:

  1. The system was developed using Microsoft FoxPro 2.6 for Windows, which was an obsolete product. No further technical support and patch was available from Microsoft. Maintenance of data integrity is a potential problem.
  2. Only the General Office at GLAB headquarters could input samplesˇ¦ information and print out the identification barcode label for attachment to the samples. Such operation could not be performed by users in satellite laboratories including those located at Lai Chi Kok, Kingˇ¦s Park, Kowloon Bay and Shek Kip Mei.
  3. Data exchange between CSLS in the headquarters and sectional systems in satellite laboratories was slow.

Among other enhancements, the CSLS was redeveloped to incorporate new tracking functions to facilitate subsequent enquiries and reporting on sample information, while maintaining the central registration function of the old system.

The objectives of the redevelopment are:

  1. To track sample status and location.
  2. To replace obsolete technology with current technology.
  3. To allow input of sample information and printout of identification barcode labels in different GLAB locations (including satellite laboratories).
  4. To improve the performance of data exchange between CSLS and sectional systems.
  5. To tighten access rights and security control for the system.
  6. To provide new features which are either listed in the Work Assignment Brief or identified during the System Analysis and Design stage of the project.

The Government Laboratory of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region had selected Arcotect Limited through the Information Technology Professional Services Arrangement (ITPSA) to conduct the System Analysis & Design and System Implementation & Integration for the Redevelopment of the Central Sample Logging System (CSLS).

During the project implementation, Arcotect has shown its competence to:

  • Develop a Web-Based system to facilitate daily operations among the headquarters, satellite laboratories & clients.
  • Create a scalable centralized database to store around 150,000 records currently and additional 50,000 records annually.
  • Develop specialised printing modules for barcode printers so that barcode labels can be printed from different GLAB locations.
  • Simplify the workflow and improve the speed of data exchange between CSLS and different sectional systems.
  • Provide new function to allow users from client departments to check examination status of their submitted samples via Departmental Portals.
  • Provide new function to track the chain of custody of samples.
  • Implement various types of monthly, annually & summary statistics reports.
  • Support enquiry on centralized database by advanced search engine.
  • Provide Audit Trail.

Upon completion of the project, the enhanced system was renamed as the Sample Information Management System (SIMS).

Throughout the project, the Project Team had demonstrated its strong technical know-how and persistent commitment to deliver the project on schedule. The high quality of services was appreciated.

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