LIMS: Best Laboratory Management Tool

LIMS is a laboratory information management system, it is a software based system that supports modern laboratory operations. It can be implemented for the management of samples, laboratory users, instruments, standards, invoicing & workflow automation. It has a flexible architecture and a data exchange interface.

LIMS majorly focuses on three industries that are, PharmaCeutical, Biotechnology and Food & LifeSciences. It was first introduced in 1982, before that manual process was used for reporting & managing feedback.

Initially LIMS has been just an integration of electronic laboratory notebook for automated reporting features, but with the advancement of laboratory techniques the LIMS becomes very advance. In 1990s, first client /server configuration was developed using PC combined with the security of a minicomputer. In mid 1990s, the LIMS gets more advanced, it was allowing distribution of client/ server functions over a network to optimize processing & sharing capabilities. Till now, day by day new features are added to the system.

LIMS mainly used to store & manage information associated with the laboratory. They contain information related to customers, tests & test reports, collection sites, bottle types, preservatives, sample matrix, analysis methods, parameters, employee details, passwords, control limit, etc. Apart from these LIMS also work on Sample Tracking, Integrated bar coding, Sophisticated Query Searching, Integrated QA/QC functions, Full Audit Trail, Reporting Functionality, Instrument Integration, etc.

In order to have specific results and reports there must be a specific type of LIMS. Though there are many instruments in the lab and result of any kind of biological or pharmaceutical sample is very delicate or they can vary within seconds. Thus, there are different varieties of LIMS dependent on the type of process or instrumentation used like, Graphical Sample container management system, Protein Database Search Engine Parser, Mass Spectrometer Instrument Parser, Web Based Sample submission & retrieval system, etc.

The implementation of LIMS will be beneficial to any Laboratory or Industry because it is very cost effective. Its implementation will save approximately $300,000 per lab annually.

There are following benefits of LIMS in QA/QC as well as in general aspect of any industry:

• Track training records & employee certification

• Track instrument maintenance & calibration

• Full audit Trail and QC chart

• User configurable QA/QC

• Automatic Limit scheduling

• Auto reporting (fax, laser printer, email (pdf) etc.)

• Reduced Paperwork

• Increased productivity hours

• Improved Data quality

• Integration with other departments and systems

Author's Note

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