ChemManager+

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 training and guidance resources to barcode and upload your current (legacy) inventory into ChemManager+.
• We will provide barcode labels for legacy inventory.
• We will provide training to utilize ChemManager+.
• 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 the barcode labels and training resources to barcode and upload your existing inventory.

Safety & Assurances will provide barcode and barcode flag labels for new and current inventory. Department managers or other designated individuals have been provided initial barcode label stock. You can request more barcode labels from Safety & Assurances.

Each department or lab will be responsible for shared or their own 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 to perform a periodic reconciliation. If you are interested in purchasing a mobile computer ($800+), you will need to contact US&A.

Barcodes must be unique to each container at each UW institution. Manufacturer barcodes are not unique to each container. Thus, the project had to devise a means to uniquely barcode all containers on each campus.  UW-Milwaukee barcodes will begin with “MIL” and have a green bar above to distinguish the barcode from others.

Barcode flag labels can be used to attach barcodes to smaller or unique containers.

Safety & Assurances will provide barcode and barcode flag labels for new and current inventory. Department managers or other designated individuals have been provided initial barcode label stock. You can request more barcode labels or flag labels from Safety & Assurances.

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

Materials in manufacturer’s original containers shall be entered into ChemManager+ to manage your inventory. Materials in secondary containers (i.e., squirt bottles, reservoirs) and other containers (i.e., flasks, beakers) that are not manufacturer’s containers do not need to be inventoried.

Yes. It’s encouraged!!

As you are going through your inventory and placing barcodes on the containers, each item should be evaluated and determined if it is needed or if should be disposed of.  Contact hazwaste@uwm.edu regarding unwanted chemicals.

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 Dispose of a Container in ChemManager+ (PDF) tipsheet provides instructions on how to do this.

All other physical disposal operations remain the same.

More information about the physical disposal of chemicals.

You do not need to.

Safety & Assurances will be providing each lab with the labels they need for new inventory. You can request more barcode labels.

You do not need to.

University Safety & Assurances will be providing each lab with the location and sublocation labels they need. You can request location and sublocation barcode labels by emailing safety-office@uwm.edu.

This ChemManager+ webpage. Scroll to top.

It depends on your question.

• If you have a general question, contact safety-office@uwm.edu and University Safety and Assurances staff will assist you.
• For “how do I…?” type questions, please check the Tipsheets and ChemManager+ Getting Started (PDF) training reources first. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please contact safety-office@uwm.edu.

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-Milwaukee community. We recommend doing an inventory reconciliation at least once per year.

• You are able to use a scanner and the ChemManager+ data loader process for reconciliation. See the Reconciliation tipsheet (PDF).

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. The Tipsheets will help guide you through using ChemManager+. Additional guidance is available at ChemManager+ Getting Started (PDF).

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-Milwaukee’s chemical inventory management and purchasing solution.

Each chemical container must have a unique barcode. You must be able to barcode your current inventory. We will provide the barcode labels and help you understand the process.

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 periodically. You will pay the live price regardless of which platform you use to place your order.

At deployment, faculty, staff and students identified as needing access to ChemManager+ were loaded into the system.  Those that were loaded into the system need to set up their user profile.  Follow Access ChemManager+ (PDF) and Setup User Profile in ChemManager+ (PDF).

If unable to access ChemManager+ and setup your user profile, contact safety-office@uwm.edu to request access.

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

If you encounter issues, particularly a log in screen appears while navigating, we recommend clearing your browser cache and cookies. See this UWM KB page for assistance, and contact the ChemManager+ team if you have further questions.

When accessing ChemManager+ via ShopUW+, your NetID is used to authenticate. If you encounter a screen asking for a user id and password, you will need to cancel the punchout (red button in upper right-hand corner) and re-enter through ShopUW+.

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

There are two options for accessing SDS, via ChemManager+ and ChemWatch. Follow the steps at:

• Accessing Safety Data Sheets in ChemManager+ (PDF)
• ChemWatch User Guide (PDF)