Case studies: Food & Beverage

Matrix Gemini LIMS in a Cereals, Milling and Baking Science Laboratory

Solution: LIMS

Allied Technical Centre

Atc Logo

Allied Technical Centre (ATC) is part of Associated British Foods (ABF) providing technical leadership in areas such as food safety, food law, product assurance and nutrition, bakery development, milling and baking science. ATC has been using Matrix Gemini LIMS since version 2 in the late 1990s and is a perfect example of how a flexible, configurable LIMS can be adapted by the users themselves to meet changing requirements.

The laboratory acts as a primary reference laboratory for the Milling & Baking Group as well as providing a testing service for other clients. The laboratory carries out a wide range of microbiological tests which adds value by supporting, developing and optimizing the baking process. This in turn drives process control to enable delivery of consistent product quality and optimum production efficiency. By monitoring and evaluating ingredient functionality, manufacturing costs can be minimized. The laboratory also has a role to play in new product development and product formulation.

CHALLENGES

  • To find a replacement LIMS that could be updated over time to suit evolving needs

SOLUTION

matrix-lims

RESULTS

  • Product specific registration pages for various sample types
  • Automated results capture from a variety of instruments
  • Invoices generated for external customers where required
  • ATC does its own changes using the highly-flexible Matrix Configuration Tools

"Matrix is incredibly cost-effective, so we have never wanted to change"

Allied Technical Centre

The use of the Matrix Gemini LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) in the Cereal, Milling and Baking Science Laboratory at Allied Technical Centre (ATC) is a perfect example of how a flexible, configurable LIMS can be adapted by the users themselves to meet changing requirements. Successive versions of Matrix have been implemented at ATC, beginning with V2 in the late 1990s.

Allied Technical Centre, in Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK, is part of Associated British Foods (ABF) plc. ATC provides technical leadership in a number of areas, including food safety, food law, product assurance and nutrition, bakery development, environmental management, consumer contact management and cereals, milling and baking science.
Facilities include a UKAS accredited Cereals, Milling and Baking Science laboratory, pilot milling and controlled-temperature shelf-life rooms.