Setting up Bika LIMS 2 is discussed in detail at the end of the manual, so as not to confuse readers at the outset

Please see the Bika LIMS 2 System Setup chapter

The static display part of the laboratory's intranet or world wide web site, e.g. www.yourlab.com, is the entry point to the Bika LIMS system. The LIMS system integrates seamlessly into the the site, maintaining the laboratory’s brand

Clients are led to log onto Bika LIMS via the client’s homepage, where they are informed of product and service updates, promotions, industry news and digital resources pertaining to the client's activities

Static display pages and dynamic pages in Bika LIMS are hyper linked where appropriate, e.g. Price lists, Analytical Services and Laboratory Products offered are listed from the system data

References to individual analyses in Bika LIMS can be hyper linked to content displaying the analytical method used to make it easier for client contacts when requesting analyses

System users may bookmark pages within the Bika LIMS part of the site – a logon prompt is issued before they are given access

A log-off link is provided on all pages for logging out of the Bika LIMS part of the site. The user is returned to the client’s homepage. Users must log off and close their browsers and not leave any open sessions unattended

As a security measure, the Bika LIMS system can be configured to log any user off after a predetermined period of inactivity

The registration of users and assignment of roles and groups is performed by the system administrator. See Bika LIMS System Setup

Once the user has been defined to the system, the login screen or portlet is used for logging on. If the login portlet is enabled it is displayed on all pages while the visitor is not logged in, the login form can be reached from the log in link at top right on the horizontal menu bar

The login portlet

The user name and password is case sensitive. The Remember my name checkbox may be used to have the system automatically fill in the user name in subsequent sessions but is not advised for security use

Login screen

Upon successful log on, the home screen is displayed

Home Screen for lab personnel

The home screen, and all subsequent screens, provide a number of functions and menu choices

At top right, the user may select text size from the three links provided

A search area and [search] button provide the ability to search for entries in the Bika LIMS database

Tabs accross the top of the screen, and a navigation area to the left, give access to the functional areas of the system

The status bar below the tabs shows

• the current location within the system, "breadcrumbs" a la Hans and Gretel
• the user currently logged on to the system
• a link to user preferences
• an undo link – lab managers only
• a link to the setup of the bika system – lab managers only
• a log out link
  

For lab managers, alerts on the right of the screen show analysis requests and worksheets awaiting verification and publication

For lab clerks, alerts on the right of the screen show analysis requests for which samples are due, and orders which are pending

For lab technicians, the home page shows the list of current worksheets

All lab staff see alerts for late analyses

Client contacts are able to view data pertaining only to their own company
The home screen for client contacts shows the list of analysis requests 
which are in sample due status

Client contacts may modify company and contact information,
submit analysis requests and view their progress through the system,
submit orders and change their personal preferences

Client contact's home screen (click to enlarge)

If the lab is accredited, the logo of the accreditation body appears in the left column. The logo is a link to the accreditation detail information

Accreditation seal for SANAS accredited lab

The accreditation text may be modified in the i18n translation files. Accredited analyses are indicated by an '*' in all subsequent  screens

Links everywhere

Analysis description links

Clicking on the analysis will bring up its description in a pop-up

Analysis description in a pop-up

If a user enters a wrong password, he/she will be presented with a screen offering advice on retrieving the password:

Sign-in failure

The user may also click the Forgot your password? link below the log in fields on the portal's front page:

Login portlet

In both cases the user will be led to a screen from where a password can be requested. Enter your user name and press [send me my password]

Lost password request form

If the system is set up to generate user passwords, a system generated password will be emailed to the user. The user will be instructed in the email how to go about changing her password

If the system is set up for the user to create her own password, the system will mail a link to be followed to a screen where the user may enter his or her password of choice:

Password email

Click on the link in the email

A page will open in your browser where you'll have the opportunity to select a new password. Complete the fields and press the [set my password] button

Set your password screen

If all went well, the next screen will confirm that you may continue using your new password

Password confirmation

If you made a mistake - your password is not long enough, or you 
misspelled it in the confirmation field -  you'll be requested to 
repeat the last steps. Corrective steps will be clearly spelled 
out, like in this screen:

The first time you log in, you are invited to setup your preferences. These preferences may also be reached via the link on the menu bar

First time login screen

The My Preferences area provides the ability to change password and set user preferences

User preferences

The Change Password hyperlink presents the form for changing the password. The current password must be entered to ensure security

Change password

The Personal Preferences hyperlink presents the form to change preferences for the logged on user

Personal preferences

The user name and email address are required. It is possible to add a portrait which will be stored in the Bika Wine system

LiveSearch increases the value of Bika's search engine by simplifying the search process. Results from a search are now instant

You'll find Bika's LiveSearch field top right on all Bika Wine pages

Bika's LiveSearch keyword entry field

As you type letters for a search, possible matches appear below the search box — without changing the current page. Here ilustrated is an attempt to find 'alcohol' in the system:

Typing the first few letters in LiveSearch brings up a list of matches

Every item in the list is a live link - click on them to navigate to them if it matches the item you were looking for

Found!

So, instead of entering a search term, waiting for results, and refining your search, this live feedback on searching makes finding things faster and more effective

If the LiveSearch results are unsatisfactory, click the [search] button, upon which a list of  hyperlinked results will be displayed to you

Hyperlinked search results

If the list is too long, or the results not immediately found, click on the Queries link. You'll then be led to a query menu from where you may specify search criteria as described in the Analysis Request Queries paragraph

Just click on the column header. Clicking the column header a second time will reverse the order. The sort order is indicated by an arrow next to the column header the table is sorted on

The same table sorted on client and on number of requests