Unit 4
Assignment D
Diana Duka
Laboratory Techniques and their Application
Understand how scientific information may be stored and communicated in a
workplace laboratory.
Storing and Communicating Information in a Laboratory
Aim
The aim of this report is to explain, analyse and evaluate the sets of large and small data
collected and stored by organisations and explore in which ways they are collected.
Introduction
Different organisations have different ways of collecting and storing data, whether small or
large data. This includes the way they are able to store data, this includes the way
information is communicated, which way it is made to be traceable and secure, as well as
what sort of information is being used by the organisation. The organisations that the report
will focus on are Alcala and Newvic. It will also consider information about the recent
pandemic, COVID-19. It will give a detailed explanation of the information stored, where and
how it is stored. Over the previous years, the way data is stored has changed; from books to
online spreadsheets which are then stored on servers or in the cloud.
Data storage
The storage of data is very important for companies and even for personal backup. There
are different ways of storing data and backing it up; the cloud, internal storage, servers etc.
The data we store is usually referred to as RAM or ROM, which we see listed on the storage
capacity on laptops or computers. However, the storage capacity may not be enough for
companies and it can slow down the devices that they use to store information. The only way
to backup their data if they use the internal storage is through the cloud. Some companies
do not fit the criteria, in order for them to store and backup their information and data onto
the Cloud because it is personal or very sensitive information. In this case, the company
uses servers to store their data. The servers have the lowest chance of losing data or being
hacked into. However, they require a large space, money and maintenance.
Smaller companies, who do not have a lot of data to store, may choose to store their data on
the Cloud. Sometimes this is free to a certain extent. If the data stored exceeds the limit set
by the Cloud, the company pays a monthly fee or an annual fee for the company to be able
, to keep their data in the Cloud. For small companies the Cloud is the best option because it
requires a small fee to be paid in order to upload and store the information.
There are four main types of data storage options for companies;
1. Direct Attached Storage (DAS) - a storage system is directly connected to a PC.
These storage devices are usually hard disk drives, USB flash drives, CDs or DVDs
or floppy disks.
2. Network Based Storage (NAS) - this is mainly used for multiple devices to access the
data and information at the same time. It is a much better option for data sharing and
easy to set up, low setup fee.
3. Cloud Based Storage - it uses the internet and is easily accessible by the company
and even secure at the same time. This type of storage does not require any space
as it is offsite storage.
4. Storage Area Network (SAN) - this has a much faster performance than NAS and
uses Fibre Channel Networks. However, it is complex so the setup is more costly.
(1.)
Storage of Information
Another very useful way which companies can use to process their data is through the use
of LIMS. The software, Laboratory Information Management System, is designed for
companies to input their data, this can be small or large sets of data too. For a clearer
understanding, LIMS is much like an online file cabinet, where the data stored is sorted and
put away in a safe place where only authorised personnel can access it. So, in scientific
laboratories the data that may be stored on LIMS are health and safety sheets, medical
records of the patient - this way in the future, the lab does not need to waste time and input
the data again - and of course any scientific data. This information can only be viewed online
which makes it very easy and convenient for the lab to search for the information that is
needed, rather than spending time searching through large amounts of files and paper
records. Additionally, having the data on LIMS is a much easier process of creating
spreadsheets and keeping up to date with stock, patient information and any products used.
This includes Alcala, it is much more convenient for them to keep track of spreadsheets of
the samples and the results obtained from the tests. It allows the lab to run smoothly,
compare data and send data when requested by another lab.
Data at NewVic
The data stored at NewVic is mainly the data from requisition form, which is collected on a
spreadsheet with the name and cost of the product, which is saved by the finance
department, the date it is needed by etc. the stock data which technician’s keep updated
through the use of a QR code. Once the QR code is scanned, it takes the technician to a
spreadsheet which they have to fill in with the missing data as well as their name and date
for traceability. Lastly, the practical result, which is collected on a Google Document and
saved onto the Cloud. The practical result is usually reported by the technician before the
practical date and is given to the teacher to conduct the experiment.
Assignment D
Diana Duka
Laboratory Techniques and their Application
Understand how scientific information may be stored and communicated in a
workplace laboratory.
Storing and Communicating Information in a Laboratory
Aim
The aim of this report is to explain, analyse and evaluate the sets of large and small data
collected and stored by organisations and explore in which ways they are collected.
Introduction
Different organisations have different ways of collecting and storing data, whether small or
large data. This includes the way they are able to store data, this includes the way
information is communicated, which way it is made to be traceable and secure, as well as
what sort of information is being used by the organisation. The organisations that the report
will focus on are Alcala and Newvic. It will also consider information about the recent
pandemic, COVID-19. It will give a detailed explanation of the information stored, where and
how it is stored. Over the previous years, the way data is stored has changed; from books to
online spreadsheets which are then stored on servers or in the cloud.
Data storage
The storage of data is very important for companies and even for personal backup. There
are different ways of storing data and backing it up; the cloud, internal storage, servers etc.
The data we store is usually referred to as RAM or ROM, which we see listed on the storage
capacity on laptops or computers. However, the storage capacity may not be enough for
companies and it can slow down the devices that they use to store information. The only way
to backup their data if they use the internal storage is through the cloud. Some companies
do not fit the criteria, in order for them to store and backup their information and data onto
the Cloud because it is personal or very sensitive information. In this case, the company
uses servers to store their data. The servers have the lowest chance of losing data or being
hacked into. However, they require a large space, money and maintenance.
Smaller companies, who do not have a lot of data to store, may choose to store their data on
the Cloud. Sometimes this is free to a certain extent. If the data stored exceeds the limit set
by the Cloud, the company pays a monthly fee or an annual fee for the company to be able
, to keep their data in the Cloud. For small companies the Cloud is the best option because it
requires a small fee to be paid in order to upload and store the information.
There are four main types of data storage options for companies;
1. Direct Attached Storage (DAS) - a storage system is directly connected to a PC.
These storage devices are usually hard disk drives, USB flash drives, CDs or DVDs
or floppy disks.
2. Network Based Storage (NAS) - this is mainly used for multiple devices to access the
data and information at the same time. It is a much better option for data sharing and
easy to set up, low setup fee.
3. Cloud Based Storage - it uses the internet and is easily accessible by the company
and even secure at the same time. This type of storage does not require any space
as it is offsite storage.
4. Storage Area Network (SAN) - this has a much faster performance than NAS and
uses Fibre Channel Networks. However, it is complex so the setup is more costly.
(1.)
Storage of Information
Another very useful way which companies can use to process their data is through the use
of LIMS. The software, Laboratory Information Management System, is designed for
companies to input their data, this can be small or large sets of data too. For a clearer
understanding, LIMS is much like an online file cabinet, where the data stored is sorted and
put away in a safe place where only authorised personnel can access it. So, in scientific
laboratories the data that may be stored on LIMS are health and safety sheets, medical
records of the patient - this way in the future, the lab does not need to waste time and input
the data again - and of course any scientific data. This information can only be viewed online
which makes it very easy and convenient for the lab to search for the information that is
needed, rather than spending time searching through large amounts of files and paper
records. Additionally, having the data on LIMS is a much easier process of creating
spreadsheets and keeping up to date with stock, patient information and any products used.
This includes Alcala, it is much more convenient for them to keep track of spreadsheets of
the samples and the results obtained from the tests. It allows the lab to run smoothly,
compare data and send data when requested by another lab.
Data at NewVic
The data stored at NewVic is mainly the data from requisition form, which is collected on a
spreadsheet with the name and cost of the product, which is saved by the finance
department, the date it is needed by etc. the stock data which technician’s keep updated
through the use of a QR code. Once the QR code is scanned, it takes the technician to a
spreadsheet which they have to fill in with the missing data as well as their name and date
for traceability. Lastly, the practical result, which is collected on a Google Document and
saved onto the Cloud. The practical result is usually reported by the technician before the
practical date and is given to the teacher to conduct the experiment.
