FSEC has extensive experience collecting, verifying, archiving, managing, and analyzing field monitoring data. This includes both knowledge of appropriate low-cost monitoring equipment as well as knowledge and experience on proper instrumentation protocols to ensure useful data quality. Over many years, FSEC has developed extensive capabilities to perform this function in a highly-efficient, automated fashion – often collecting data remotely from sites on opposite side of the country, from Oregon to New York.

Data management and quality assurance is a central element of this automated system and multiple levels of quality control are built into the system. Data are automatically downloaded from field data acquisition or data logging equipment by a central processing and archival computer. This is done on either a real-time or a predefined periodic basis, depending on the application. Generally, periodic downloading is performed at daily intervals in order to minimize potential data losses. The central equipment that perform these functions have auxiliary power and equipment and software redundancy built into the system.

As the field data come into the central system they are subjected to discrete bounds checking. The discrete bounds can be either static or dynamic and can include data manipulation and standard statistical analysis if necessary. Electronic mail messages are automatically generated to notify researchers of any identified anomalies. The data are then stored in secure electronic databases and made available for retrieval and analysis via standard web browsers. Authorized users may select any portion of the data and conduct a variety of predefined, automated analysis procedures or import the data into local spread sheets, databases, or other local analysis software.

Following the discrete bounds checking process, (again, on a daily basis that is automatically initiated in the middle of the night) the data are analyzed and recast into graphical format (as defined by individual users to fit their specific needs). These graphical analyses are automatically output to on-line printers or to a designated web page for morning examination by the user. The user visually evaluates the data to determine if monitoring is proceeding as planned or if anomalies exist that might indicate unforeseen circumstances or problems. Except for the responsibility of the user to visually examine the graphic output of the daily data stream, this process is completely automated. FSEC often achieves a 99%+ data quality rate in field monitoring projects using these data systems.

FSEC uses this automated protocol and remote data collection capability for all its field monitoring, and can provide its clients or other contractors with remote data system access that enable other sites to function like an FSEC office. Clients receive a secure web site and access to the FSEC data analysis and visualization software through the Internet. Using a Java enabled browser, users can analyze and display archived data in tabular or graphical format.

Additionally, comprehensive, user-definable data analysis can be automatically accomplished by the FSEC server with tabular or graphical reports placed on a user’s secure web site that is provided by FSEC. These automated reports can be printed to the user’s local printer or can be cut-and-pasted directly into user-generated reports.