NOTE An Automated System for Sensory Analysis. Suzanne Y. Thompson and Duane M. Malek, Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, WI. J. Am. Soc. Brew. Chem. 51:0138, 1993.

An automated system for designing, conducting, statistically analyzing, and reporting sensory tests is described. Speed and accuracy of test results are improved by eliminating manual decoding, digitizing, and data entry functions. The system also provides motivation to panelists in the form of rapid feedback. All ballot design, test design, taste session design, and serving operations are managed through the server workstation. Panelists' responses are captured via Gridpad notebook computers online with the server workstation. Depending on the test, either statistical analysis is performed and reports are generated at the server workstation or data is transferred for mainframe analysis.

Keywords: Automation, PC, Sensory tests, Statistical analysis