Development of Web Application for Chemical Requisition and Dispensing in the Laboratory via an Online System

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a web application for online chemical requisition in laboratory settings to enhance data management efficiency and reduce operational delays. The system’s scope covered all laboratories within the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University. The development process involved analyzing limitations of the conventional method; building an online requisition application; conducting system testing; evaluating the system through focus group discussed; and assessed user satisfaction via an online questionnaire (Google Forms). Statistics used in data analysis included mean and standard deviation. The level of interpretation of the mean was determined using the range formula. Participants compared the conventional method with the newly developed system. Results indicated that the legacy process was inefficient, characterized by limited data accessibility, slow requisition procedures, and non–real-time inventory levels which hindered management when chemicals approached depletion. The developed solution is a web application created using a participatory research and development (R&D) approach, implemented in PHP with a MySQL database, and designed according to object-oriented principles with UML. Authorized stakeholders can access information via the online platform. System testing and focus group evaluations identified issues that were subsequently resolved to refine the application. The overall user satisfaction score averaged 4.29 (SD = 0.51), indicating a very high level of satisfaction. Moreover, the requisition turnaround time was reduced from 3 days to 1 day (a 66.67% reduction).