THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), on Friday, launched its $12.5 million digital online Metrology (Measurement) Portal to facilitate easier access of information to stakeholders, while providing an environmentally-friendly paper-free approach.

The launch, which was held at GNBS Head Office, Sophia, Georgetown, coincides with World Metrology Day, celebrated under the theme “Metrology in the Digital Era”.
The Head of the Legal Metrology Department at GNBS, Shailendra Rai, during the launch, explained that the main objective of developing the portal was to transform the operations of his department, along with the Industrial Metrology and Testing Department, from a paper-based system to a fully digital system.

The portal was developed by local tech company ‘New Technologies Inc’ and carries a budgeted cost of $12.5M.
According to Rai, the portal, which can be found on their website at https://gnbsguy.com, would increase the operational efficiency of the departments in the provision of verification and calibration services, while also improving the interaction between the GNBS and its customers.

“When I speak about operational efficiency, I’m referring to the ease of executing certain critical activities within the department in a timely and effective manner. Some of these activities are receiving consumers’ requests for the provision of verification or calibration services,” Rai said.

He highlighted that, with the previous paper-based system, GNBS inspectors would have a hardcopy form to collect information; however, with the new system, they can now input information directly to the portal while out in the field doing inspections.

Against this backdrop, Rai said that the new system makes provision for the acquisition of more detailed information, which will be critical for the Bureau in any provision of verification and calibration services.
It also allows GNBS inspectors to schedule verification inspections with customers to reduce turnaround time while providing for more effective planning and organising.

“Inspectors are now programmed in advance, as soon as the client calls and make a request… We prepare, we input that information, then we assign the inspector to the task and the inspector immediately receives an email saying that they would have been assigned for this particular task,” Rai said.

The information goes through three steps of approval from the senior inspector, the head of the department who gives authorisation, and the director who gives the final decision.
Rai explained to the gathering that, while in the field, inspectors are given handheld devices to complete their checklist electronically and the information is uploaded to the portal immediately.
The senior inspector in the office, who is monitoring the portal, would then examine the checklists and decide if to pass or fail that instrument.

The information would then go to the head of the department, who would give authorisation and then the director, who would subsequently approve.
He stated that such was done in keeping with the international accreditation requirements. The Bureau is an ISO 9001 accredited organisation.

Another feature of the portal will also allow for the immediate preparation of customers’ invoices which can also be sent via email for a paperless trail. Also, it allows for a quicker preparation of the customer’s certificate.
The portal’s website also facilitates customer complaint submissions and service requests to provide real-time information on verification activities and devices, as required.

Another hallmark of the portal, according to Rai, would be the provision of traceability, and timely reporting for verification activities.
While delivering remarks, CEO of New Technologies Inc., Arun Mangar, said that, with the use of a hosted database, the GNBS inspectors can be mobile, visit clients and perform tasks outside of the office with the use of handheld devices that will input information in real-time.

“Engagements led to the development of a database which caters for clients’ inventory, various different checklists and forms, the production of invoices, the entire approval process being done in a step by step organised digitised manner,” he said.

He further explained that, with Guyana’s emerging oil economy, this type of activity will bode well for future operations and the future expansion of GNBS.
The metrology portal will be implemented at GNBS head office and all of its branch offices in the various regions across Guyana.