Mnova Hub (User Manual)

Importance of the Topic

The Mnova Hub plugin addresses a critical need in analytical chemistry workflows: seamless integration between spectral processing software and diverse data repositories. By connecting Mnova directly to databases, file systems, instrument data stores, and LIMS, users can streamline data retrieval, browsing, previewing, and archiving without leaving the Mnova environment. This promotes efficiency, traceability, and consistency in routine analyses, QA/QC operations, and research projects.

Aims and Overview of the Manual

This user manual guides analytical chemists through installing, configuring, and using Mnova Hub version 1.0. It covers:

• Installation prerequisites and plugin activation
• Connection setup for supported data providers
• Data exploration, filtering, previewing, and opening
• Saving processed data back to source systems

Methodology and Instrumentation

Mnova Hub is a software plugin for Mnova version 15.0.1 or later. It supports five data providers:

• SQL Server (including MariaDB, MySQL, Oracle, Postgres, SQLite)
• Local file systems
• Mnova Database (MnDB)
• Bruker TopSpin data directories
• ZONTAL datahub (cloud/LIMS)

Configuration dialogs allow users to enter connection parameters (server, credentials, paths), define SQL queries or filters, and select repository locations for saving spectra and preview images.

Main Features and Discussion

Key capabilities include:

• Dynamic table setup: select, reorder, and sort data columns
• Previewing raw and processed Mnova files as images
• Custom and provider-specific search filters, including JSON-based expert filters for ZONTAL
• Batch opening of multiple datasets in new or existing Mnova documents
• Saving and updating records via SQL INSERT/UPDATE, file uploads, or ZONTAL submissions

These features reduce manual file management, enforce data consistency, and integrate analysis results directly into enterprise systems.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Mnova Hub enables laboratories to:

• Accelerate spectral review by centralizing data access
• Maintain audit trails through direct database updates
• Leverage existing storage infrastructures (LIMS, file shares, databases)
• Minimize transcription errors and improve QA/QC compliance

Future Trends and Opportunities

Potential enhancements include cloud-native connectors (AWS, Azure), automated metadata extraction via machine learning, interoperability with additional instrument software, and real‐time collaboration features. Integrating AI-driven search and anomaly detection could further boost productivity and data insight.

Conclusion

Mnova Hub 1.0 offers a flexible, user-friendly bridge between Mnova’s powerful spectral processing and diverse data storage systems. By simplifying data retrieval, filtering, and archiving, it helps analytical chemists improve throughput, data integrity, and compliance.