Project for Implementing Barcodes to Improve Traceability of Laboratory Samples as an Important Element of Impol R&D Strategy

In the chain of order processing and contract realisation, there are several contact points where inconsistencies in ensuring traceability occur. These points are at the interfaces of individual processes that participate in the main operational process of the Impol Group. The next point is the ** standardisation phase, when the technologist translates international standards into internal nomenclature, which forms the basis for the technological procedure. The purpose of the diploma thesis was to prepare a project for ** introducing barcodes into the testing process and to propose implementation. From the study conducted, I conclude that the introduction of barcodes into the testing process is ** a good tool for increasing productivity** and improving the traceability of test specimens.

Problem

In the chain of order processing and contract realisation, there are several contact points where inconsistencies in ensuring traceability occur. These points are at the interfaces of individual processes that participate in the main operational process of the Impol Group. The first contact point is ** order entry**, where the customer's and sales information systems meet.

The possibility of manual incorrect entries is resolved by the product identification processing application, where the sales representative only selects already qualified identifications – products for the customer. The customer subsequently also confirms the contract, which contains a precise description of the product.

Solution and Method

The next point is the standardisation phase, when the technologist translates international standards into internal nomenclature, which forms the basis for the technological procedure. Any deviations may be reflected in incorrectly developed technology and accordingly in a non-conforming product. Since the work order is based on this assumption, the possibility of detecting an error is in the final testing and certificate printing, where we compare the contract requirements, work order and sample.

Of course, it is then too late for corrective measures and the consequence is a repeated production process and a delayed delivery deadline. Problems with traceability between operations of the technological process according to the work order can lead to traceability deviations (batch, transport unit), whilst the contractual characteristics of the product are achieved. Handovers between operations and acceptance control verify the conformity of characteristics, whilst traceability is merely transferred.

The registration of packaging units from work orders to the contract verifies the conformity of the foundry batch and transport unit. This is information verification and is therefore reliable. Of course, it can happen that out of 20 packaging units, an individual unit is handed over to the warehouse without its own traceability data.

The number of packages is checked during certification and this triggers verification of the number of packages on the work order and later on the contract, which causes complications and delays in issuing the certificate. A particular problem is special requirements that are outside the formal requirements of the contract. As such, they are not always supported by information systems and we verify them when printing the certificate, if the requirements of the certificate printing programme are set accordingly. ** Problems at the contact points** between the customer and sales and the transfer into the production process at Impol are resolved by the ** identification renewal project**.

Therefore, in the diploma thesis I focus on the physical traceability of products and associated samples ** in the certification process**: 1. The selected barcode solution places problems with the traceability of products and associated acceptance samples at the source of non-conformity, that is, in the production process. The barcode creation phase simultaneously means control of traceability data.

2. In this way, we prevent the dispatch of incompletely traceable products or products with deviations to the customer and subsequent interventions. 3.

We enable integration into the so-called level 2, when the barcode determines the type of testing on the testing machine. The type of testing can be predetermined in the identification technology. 4.

The barcode enables faster circulation of samples and overview of the status of individual samples by phases: sampling, cutting into several test specimens, testing and possible re-sampling. 5. In the archive of completed tests and samples, it enables traceability as required by customers.

6. The financial plan for project implementation shows a project that amortises in less than half a year.

Results

The purpose of the diploma thesis was to prepare a project for introducing barcodes into the testing process and to propose implementation. From the study conducted, I conclude that the introduction of barcodes into the testing process is ** a good tool for increasing productivity** and improving the traceability of test specimens. I propose to the management of Impol R&D that the barcode project begins to be implemented, as the project ** justifies the costs of the first phase in barely half a year**.