Many organizations depend on particular software solutions to control their processes in the modern digital era. For example, the back office, consisting of HR, manufacturing, and finance, utilizes enterprise resource planning (ERP) software like Oracle and SAP, while customer-oriented departments such as customer support, sales, and marketing use customer relationship management (CRM) like Microsoft Dynamics or SalesForce.
According to industry giant Sapio Sciences, research and development departments use a specific software solution to control research, development, and product testing. This software is referred to as the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
A LIMS system is a software system that helps manage all the information related to a laboratory’s processes, such as sample tracking, results reporting, and data analysis. This post will discuss how LIMS can help your lab run more efficiently. We’ll also cover the key features of LIMS and how they can benefit your organization.
What is a Laboratory Information Management System?
Also known as the laboratory management system, LIMS is a software application that supports crucial aspects of intricate laboratory processes. Various research institutions and industries use LIMS to accurately distil and manage enormous amounts of information to help researchers and scientists deliver better insights faster.
LIMS offers a system that supports tracking, organizing, standardizing, and centralizing all data, tasks, and processes in a laboratory.
Now that we understand what a LIMS system is and how it fits into the organization’s framework, let’s discuss how it works.
Key Components of LIMS
A great LIMS system has three key components:
- Sample tracking
- Protocol execution
- Storage organization
Let’s dig into the details of these components.
Sample tracking
The fundamental function of a LIMS system is tracking samples from when they are delivered to the lab until the testing and storage phases. It includes saving all the sample’s information from its first accession, including sample ID, collection date, source, and quantitation information – volume, concentration, and particulate amount.
As the sample undergoes various stages along the workflow, more information is collected and recorded in the LIMS. This information includes derived sample data, test results, and time-based observation metrics.
Protocol execution
Another primary function of LIMS is promoting the standardization of a laboratory’s workflows and underlying procedures, protocols, and steps. Ensuring that all the laboratory tech conforms to specified guidelines in a published SOP is vital to getting precise and repeatable results. It is fundamental because it provides the lab staff with test samples in the correct order.
Storage organization
A good LIMS system keeps track of the sample’s location throughout the lab cycle. The LIMS system tracks the sample vial or tube where the sample is preserved and holds a record of the drawer and rack in which the sample was placed. LIMS also tracks the shelf that rack is and where the freezer with the rack is.
Storage organization plays a crucial role in quickly retrieving samples in busy labs. It also helps the labs remain productive, efficient, and organized.
Advantages of LIMS
Data centralization
The main advantage of a LIMS system is having a centralized system for managing every peripheral component of a laboratory using a well-designed workflow. Information about instrumentation, studies, and inventory is stored in one central location, which can be accessed easily by the lab team.
Study management
Laboratory samples are collected to support a higher-level project or research study. A LIMS offers the organizational structure for grouping samples with the relevant project or study. A suitable LIMS enables scientists to manage all the information in a central location, promoting robust data management.
Inventory management
Laboratory supplies – like chemical inventory and reagents – are integral to a laboratory’s ongoing operations. The lab team must have the right inventory available to execute protocols effectively. A LIMS system offers detailed insight into the available materials and items that need to be reordered.
It automatically tracks the supplies as they are consumed and can trigger the reorder process. As a result, it limits the likelihood of delays or errors and enhances the department’s efficiency. A LIMS also offers lot number tracking to record the specific reagent used to process the laboratory sample in the system for audit purposes.
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