FlatDat provides a simple query window that allows even novice users to formulate complex queries. The results of the query can be saved to external files that can be imported into statistical software or spreadsheets. FlatDat employs several levels of security as well. First, users must log into the FlatDat program to use the database. Users are granted privileges that are appropriate to the level of access required.
Most users can only view and query data.
Field technicians can log samples into the computer and edit samples that have not yet been analyzed in the lab. Chemical analysts can edit electronic worksheets. Any time a change is made to a sample description or electronic worksheet, FlatDat records the date of the change and the person who made the change. Assigning appropriate access privileges to the networked disk drive where the data are stored provides additional security. Finally, nightly incremental backup of the database ensures that we can restore the database to the state in which it existed at any particular date in the past.