How To Select The Right LIMS For Your Laboratory In 2023

LIS, often known as a laboratory information management system (LIMS), is a type of laboratory management system (LMS). A software-based option is LIMS. It has cutting-edge features that support the operations of a modern laboratory. Flexible architecture, data sharing interfaces, workflow, and data tracking support are just a few of the important elements that are part of LIMS. Since its inception, LIMS has evolved from a simple sample tracking system to a tool for enterprise resource planning. These days, LIMS can handle a variety of laboratory informatics fields.

To increase the effectiveness of the lab, a user of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) can effectively control the flow of data and samples. Standardising testing, processes, and workflows is helpful when using a LIMS. It improves the procedure' precision. Users may fuse instruments into the LIMS to automate the compilation of test results, guarantee that they are accurately measured, and are only controlled by knowledgeable employees.

Why should your laboratory utilise LIMS?

A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) gives a user the ability to efficiently manage the flow of samples and related data, increasing lab productivity. Workflows, tests, and procedures can be standardised with the use of a LIMS, which also offers accurate process controls.

Users can integrate the devices with the LIMS to automatically assemble test data while guaranteeing that it is only appropriately assessed and managed by knowledgeable employees.

Laboratories today produce vast volumes of useful data. In order to manage and improve the laboratory and the business it supports, it is crucial to keep track of samples and related test data throughout the laboratory and use that data to produce management reports, certificates of inspection, and other information-based insights.

Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) have improved to support the business of the laboratory and to manage the workflow of the laboratory. They can also promote and aid compliance with laws and norms.

How do you choose which LIMS software is ideal for your lab?

GenoFAB's development is built on a solid foundation of various LIMS systems. It includes components that are frequently seen in laboratory information management systems.

The list of software programmes shown below includes laboratory administration capabilities including sample tracking. These systems' fundamental purpose is to perform this. Most of them include equipment that makes it easier for lab managers to do their jobs.

Over the past ten years, Electronic Laboratory Notebooks, LIMS solutions, and LIMS applications have all interacted. Most LIMS providers include ELN functionality in their laboratory information management packages.

Data management strategies like lab information management systems are nothing more than a myth. You could think of it as a component of a data management system. They serve a very specific purpose. To maximise the value of the data they store, however, they must interact with other data services.

It might be challenging and confusing for a research team to select the right laboratory information management system (LIMS). The cause of this is that LIMS are challenging to accurately assess before being deployed in the lab environment. Once the installation is complete, the effectiveness of LIMS can be verified in its entirety.

What features of LIMS software should users check for?

A LIMS's main features are the ability to keep all pertinent data in one location, the provision of a single platform for all laboratory activities, and the facilitation of paperless laboratory approaches. Mass spectrometry, chromatography, analyzers, and other devices can be combined and directly feed test data to the LIMS thanks to electronic interfaces.

The entire resulting data is stored in a safe database. There is no need for numerous notebooks and spreadsheets. Many people think that having the ability to quickly look up information from a single source is the real benefit of a LIMS. Whether it's regaining a 10-year-old certificate of analysed data, the information may be gathered and visualised in a matter of seconds.

2023's top ten commercial LIMS systems

1. eLABNext

The current version of eLab journal was created by Bio-ITech BV, which is now affiliated with Eppendorf. The platform consists of many products for managing protocols, tracking samples, and keeping lab notebooks.

2. Labworks

Labworks claims to be the market's most user-friendly, reliable, simple-to-implement, and adaptable LIMS solution.

3. LabCollector

AgileBio, a French software development company, created LabCollector. When it was first introduced in 2002, LabCollector was likely the only LIMS to provide small businesses with both a browser-based interface and pricing accessibility.

4. LabVantage

One of the leaders in the LIMS sector is LabVantage. They claim to have "the most modern LIMS platform available," a claim that is admittedly a little hazy but is supported by the close integration of their lab execution system (LES), the LIMS solution, and their electronic lab notebook (ELN) offering. With features like task assignment and research planning functionality, it primarily seeks to make the job of lab managers easier. Additionally, the system has features for bulk data upload, data management, and automated issue tracking.

5. CoreLIMS 

Since 2017, ThermoFisher has used CoreLIMS, a product of Core Informatics. It has a cutting-edge design that makes use of scalable cloud technology. In it, specialised applications that replace the LIMS core functionality can be created by outside developers. According to our analysis, Core Informatics is the only LIMS vendor who has been successful in creating a vibrant app marketplace. However, it's unclear whether this market has recently advanced under Thermo's direction.

6. BIOVIA LIMS

Instead of being sample-centric, BIOVIA LIMS claims to be execution-centric. This technology appears to be more suitable for the biomanufacturing sector than for preclinical research.

7. Model LIMS for research

Sapio Sciences' Exemplar Research LIMS is a product. This product is available in a variety of flavours from the company for use in research, sequencing, and histology, among other fields. The vendor website provides very little information regarding the features, product architecture, and deployment alternatives.
iLab

A management software programme developed by Agilent is called iLab. The administration of resources rather than the management of data is the main focus of this solution.

8. LIMS LabWare

One of the pioneers in the LIMS market is LabWare LIMS. They currently provide a desktop and cloud version of their LIMS.

9. BSI

Web-based specimen management software is offered by BSI.