FAQs

Are you a new member of a group that is already using ChemManager+? Then please click this link to request a role!

Are you the first member of your group, and would you like your group to begin using ChemManager+? Then please click this link to request an early deployment!

When accessing ChemManager+ via ShopUW+, your NetID is used to authenticate. If you encounter a screen asking for a user id and password, as shown below, you will need to cancel the punchout and re-enter through ShopUW+.

This issue occurs because of browser settings. Chrome is the recommended browser, and it must be configured to allow cookies-specifically 3rd party cookies. If this issue occurs we recommend clearing your browser cache and cookies. See this DoIT KB page for assistance, and contact the ChemManager+ team if you have further questions.

Note: if you are not comfortable allowing all 3rd party cookies, you can configure your browser to only allow 3rd party cookies from sciquest.com.

ChemManager+ operates within your browser, and 3rd party cookies are necessary for proper functionality. Chrome is the preferred browser.

If this issue occurs we recommend clearing your browser cache and cookies. See this DoIT KB page for assistance, and contact the ChemManager+ team if you have further questions.

Note: if you are not comfortable allowing all 3rd party cookies, you can configure your browser to only allow 3rd party cookies from sciquest.com.

We’ll provide all labs and lab staff with the support they need to reduce the burden of change as much as possible.

• • We will consult with you about the best approach for your lab.
  • We will provide staff to barcode and upload your current inventory or provide you with the tools you need if you’d rather do it yourself.
  • We will provide labels for legacy inventory and a scanner.
  • We will provide training.
  • We will provide ongoing support.
  • We will provide labels for new inventory post-deployment.

All we ask is that you adjust your current processes and commit to adopting ChemManager+ to manage your ordering, inventory, and disposal.

ChemManager+ is funded centrally by campus.

The project will provide each lab with a scanner and the initial barcode labels, and will provide resources to barcode and upload your existing inventory. Scanners are used to simplify the process of engaging with 10-digit barcodes. Processes that would use a barcode scanner include receiving a container (when the barcode is applied), borrowing and returning containers (Storeroom/Stockroom function), and disposing of empty containers.

After deployment, EH&S will provide labels for new inventory. You can request more barcode labels at: https://forms.gle/34x8tMPxxodMwNAz9.

Each lab will be responsible for:

• Replacement or optional additional scanners. Cost varies.

• There are two barcode scanners that we have tested, are known to work, and are currently available from ShopUW+. Since no devices are centrally supported by IT, you may choose to purchase others. Talk to your local IT support if you have questions or concerns. The two we recommend are:

• • Tethered: Unitech MS836. Vendor: CDW Government. Catalog #: 6265946; Manufacturer Part #: MS836-SUCB00-SG
  • Wireless: Adesso NuScan 4100B. Vendor: Staples Advantage. Catalog #: IM14D4295. Manufacturer Part #: NUSCAN 4100B

• A handheld mobile computer is recommended for labs with a large number of chemical containers (over 1000) to perform a periodic reconciliation. EH&S will have mobile computers available to borrow. If you are interested in purchasing a mobile computer ($800+), you will need to contact the ChemManager+ team.

There are two barcode scanners that we have tested, are known to work, and are currently available from ShopUW+. Since no devices are centrally supported by IT, you may choose to purchase others. Talk to your local IT support if you have questions or concerns. The two we recommend are:

Tethered: Unitech MS836. Vendor: CDW Government. Catalog #: 6265946; Manufacturer Part #: MS836-SUCB00-SG

Wireless: Adesso NuScan 4100B. Vendor: Staples Advantage. Catalog #: IM14D4295. Manufacturer Part #: NUSCAN 4100B

Yes. It’s encouraged and part of the budget.

Part of our process will be to do a walkthrough of each lab with you. During this time, we will work with Chemical Safety Disposal Group (https://ehs.wisc.edu/disposal-services/chemical-disposal/) for a hassle-free, no questions asked, disposal pick up for any chemical containers that need to be disposed of.

When you wish to dispose of a chemical container, you will need to record this action in ChemManager+ to remove the container from inventory. The training module provides instructions on how to do this.

All other physical disposal operations remain the same.

If you have questions about the physical disposal of chemicals, you can find more information at https://ehs.wisc.edu/disposal-services/chemical-disposal/

You do not need to.

EH&S will be providing each lab with the labels they need for new inventory. You can request more barcode labels at: https://forms.gle/34x8tMPxxodMwNAz9.

Training and support resources are currently available at https://chemmanager.wisc.edu/training-and-resources/.

To better support our UW-Madison colleagues throughout and after this project, we will be offering the following:

• UW-Madison-specific training resources, using Canvas.
• A series of virtual office hours where folks can drop in and ask questions.
• A community of practice for ChemManager+ users.
• A single point of contact for support: This is Amy Riedemann (amy.riedemann@wisc.edu), the Chemical Safety Systems Manager for UW-Madison.

It depends on your question.

• If you have a general question, and it’s not urgent, please use this form (https://forms.gle/GAEpkaezxrva3VC4A), or email the project team at chemmanager@wisc.edu.
• If you have a more urgent question, please contact Amy Riedemann (amy.riedemann@wisc.edu), the Chemical Safety Systems Manager for UW-Madison. A list of project personnel can be found here.
• For “how do I…?” type questions, please check the training resources at https://chemmanager.wisc.edu/training-and-resources/ first. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please contact Amy Riedemann (amy.riedemann@wisc.edu), the Chemical Safety Systems Manager for UW-Madison.

In inventory terms, reconciliation means checking that you have the chemical containers you think you have in any given location. This syncs your actual inventory with the inventory ChemManager+ thinks you have. Keeping your inventory up to date and accurate is important for compliance reporting, and the safety of the UW-Madison community. We recommend doing an inventory reconciliation at least once per year.

• For smaller labs (under 1000 chemical containers), you are able to use a scanner and the ChemManager+ data loader process (link to process available when live).
• For larger labs (over 1000 chemical containers), we recommend using a mobile computer (link to process available when live). EH&S will have mobile computers available to borrow. If you are interested in purchasing a mobile computer ($800+), you will need to contact EH&S.

Like any new system, ChemManager+ may take some time to get used to. There are certain operations and terms that are not immediately intuitive.

From our experience with the pilot lab users, investing time in the training materials early on will be paid back in time and energy saved later on. You can access the training resources at https://chemmanager.wisc.edu/training-and-resources/.

The project team is deploying ChemManager+ to labs in a structured rollout across UW-Madison owned and operated properties. If your lab would like to request early deployment of ChemManager+ for your lab, please complete this form (https://forms.gle/Fq5veiQAfqPPRURG7). If you are able to barcode and upload your own current inventory, we can provide the training and resources to get your lab up and running. If you would like assistance barcoding existing inventory, you can be added to our wait list to be barded as our team has availability.

Yes. If you have inventory saved in Quartzy, a spreadsheet, or another system, we can work with you to transfer the inventory data into ChemManager+.

ChemManager+ is free for labs to use and is approved and supported as UW-Madison’s chemical inventory management and purchasing solution.

Note that each chemical container must have a unique barcode. We will provide the barcode labels and help you understand the process, but know that uploading exisitng inventory data does require barcodes to be added to each chemical container. If you have an existing barcoded inventory, we may be able to utilize those barcodes if the sequence is unique.

The prices displayed in ChemManager+ are based on live data – this is the price you will pay. Shipping may be additional. In ShopUW+, the information displayed may be less current depending on the vendor. Some vendors update pricing update periodically. You will pay the live price regardless of which platform you use to place your order.

We use unit to mean an administrative area within UW-Madison. Within ChemManager+ this will vary at UW-Madison and may end up being a department, a program, a school, a division, an institute, or all laboratories within a given building.