The right chromatography data system (CDS) can spell the difference between a streamlined data collection process and one that is haphazard. CDSs are software packages that collect, store, and help users interpret data.

Routine monitoring of soil and groundwater are used to detect contamination from toxic chemicals. This contamination may be due to industrial runoff or wastewater effluent. Monitoring provides protection of local tributaries and surrounding property.

With the widespread adoption of liquid and gas chromatography instruments throughout laboratories, chromatography data systems (CDS) have followed suit, becoming one of the most popular software products in use within a lab.

The advent of inexpensive, powerful, personal computers has been a boon for chromatography data systems.