The results of studies of the patterns of entry of a substance into the discharge plasma in relation to the requirements for improving spectral analysis are presented. Samples of instruments and special products were considered to reduce the time of sample preparation and analysis. Examples show the promise of using computer technology to obtain spectral information and process results. Much attention is paid to the development of new and improvement of known methods for monitoring the thickness and elemental composition of various types of coatings, monitoring the micro-number of elements in samples.