Laboratory information management system: features, examples & selection guide
January 23, 2024
LIMS market stats
61%
of LIMS users benefited from process automation
Astrix, 2020
6.2%
LIMS market size CAGR by 2030
Mordor Intelligence, 2023
$2.92 bn
projected LIMS market worth for 2023
Meticulous Research, 2023
Main features of LIMS
The core focus of a LIMS solution is sample management, but most systems have wider feature sets to support multiple lab processes.
Sample management
track samples from their reception to disposal and identify any sample’s origin, status, location, handling history, and associated data at any stage of its lifecycle.
Data management
securely acquire, store, and centralize lab data, process its transfer, and then dispose of it. Lab data usually includes patients’ details, clinical notes, sample data, and personnel information.
Workflow management
optimize laboratory workflows via automation, comprehensive sharable and configurable dashboards, laboratory equipment interfacing, task alerts, and pre-defined templates for test runs, reports, and documentation.
Inventory management
keep track of reagents, samples, and laboratory equipment. Streamline maintenance, replacement, and ordering of all necessary components for your laboratory operations.
Analytics & reporting
simplify test quality control and result assessment and get insights into the lab’s productivity with the help of analytical tools that evaluate different laboratory processes, present results with comprehensive graphs and charts, and can automatically compile reports in widely accepted formats.
Security & compliance
comply with HIPAA and other healthcare data governance regulations suitable for your laboratory to keep information related to your facility and patients protected, recoverable, and accessible only to designated personnel.
Ready to digitalize your laboratory operations?
LIMS real-life success stories
35%
net collection boost
LigoLab Informatics Platform improves ECPC's productivity
LigoLabEastern Connecticut Pathology Consultants (ECPC), a leading provider of pathology services for large and small healthcare organizations, adopted LigoLab’s LIS platform to streamline operations, expand service offerings, and facilitate business growth while maintaining high service quality. Within less than three years of LigoLab’s usage, ECPC has successfully achieved all its goals, tripling its client base, adding a new services branch, and gaining more revenue.
Multiple facilities
synced and harmonized
A pharmaceutical company improves productivity and security with LabWare
LabWareA medium-sized pharma enterprise suffered from safety threats and process disruptions due to low software interoperability across its facilities. After implementing LabWare ELN and LIMS at all sites, the organization saw a significant surge in productivity, achieved higher security standards, and reduced errors arising from using different laboratory management systems across the organization’s facilities.
30,000+
samples digitized
A medical school improves its biobanking operations with CloudLIMS
CloudLIMSNova Medical School (NMS), a part of the Medical Sciences Faculty at NOVA University of Lisbon, has a biobank that stores thousands of samples. Recently, they shifted from spreadsheets to CloudLIMS to regulate sample management processes among their facilities. As a result, Nova Medical School was able to meet regulatory compliance, as well as track and handle samples more securely, quickly, and efficiently.
35%
net collection boost
LigoLab Informatics Platform improves ECPC's productivity
LigoLabEastern Connecticut Pathology Consultants (ECPC), a leading provider of pathology services for large and small healthcare organizations, adopted LigoLab’s LIS platform to streamline operations, expand service offerings, and facilitate business growth while maintaining high service quality. Within less than three years of LigoLab’s usage, ECPC has successfully achieved all its goals, tripling its client base, adding a new services branch, and gaining more revenue.
Multiple facilities
synced and harmonized
A pharmaceutical company improves productivity and security with LabWare
LabWareA medium-sized pharma enterprise suffered from safety threats and process disruptions due to low software interoperability across its facilities. After implementing LabWare ELN and LIMS at all sites, the organization saw a significant surge in productivity, achieved higher security standards, and reduced errors arising from using different laboratory management systems across the organization’s facilities.
30,000+
samples digitized
A medical school improves its biobanking operations with CloudLIMS
CloudLIMSNova Medical School (NMS), a part of the Medical Sciences Faculty at NOVA University of Lisbon, has a biobank that stores thousands of samples. Recently, they shifted from spreadsheets to CloudLIMS to regulate sample management processes among their facilities. As a result, Nova Medical School was able to meet regulatory compliance, as well as track and handle samples more securely, quickly, and efficiently.
35%
net collection boost
LigoLab Informatics Platform improves ECPC's productivity
LigoLabEastern Connecticut Pathology Consultants (ECPC), a leading provider of pathology services for large and small healthcare organizations, adopted LigoLab’s LIS platform to streamline operations, expand service offerings, and facilitate business growth while maintaining high service quality. Within less than three years of LigoLab’s usage, ECPC has successfully achieved all its goals, tripling its client base, adding a new services branch, and gaining more revenue.
Multiple facilities
synced and harmonized
A pharmaceutical company improves productivity and security with LabWare
LabWareA medium-sized pharma enterprise suffered from safety threats and process disruptions due to low software interoperability across its facilities. After implementing LabWare ELN and LIMS at all sites, the organization saw a significant surge in productivity, achieved higher security standards, and reduced errors arising from using different laboratory management systems across the organization’s facilities.
30,000+
samples digitized
A medical school improves its biobanking operations with CloudLIMS
CloudLIMSNova Medical School (NMS), a part of the Medical Sciences Faculty at NOVA University of Lisbon, has a biobank that stores thousands of samples. Recently, they shifted from spreadsheets to CloudLIMS to regulate sample management processes among their facilities. As a result, Nova Medical School was able to meet regulatory compliance, as well as track and handle samples more securely, quickly, and efficiently.
Key LIMS integrations
Efficient lab management usually requires connecting LIMS software to other systems and equipment for automated data exchange.
Connect your LIMS system to smart devices to scan and print barcodes, keep track of samples, receive information about environmental conditions in your labs and storage in real-time, and perform quick equipment calibrations.
Get better insights into patients’ journeys, analyze their service requirements, and craft personalized marketing and sales campaigns by adding relevant data from LIS to patients’ demographic, contact, and service details.
Easily access patient metrics and other details necessary for proper test data processing, as well as deliver lab test results fast to clinicians and patients by transferring data between laboratory management systems and EHR/EMR software.
Financial management solutions
Automate quote and order creation, facilitate invoice generation, analyze the audit trail, and export your statements in a format acceptable for multiple accounting platforms.
Build patients’ trust and enhance their loyalty by providing access to test results, various payment gateways, and self-service features to schedule their next test.
Boost the operational efficiency of laboratories that are part of a larger healthcare organization (e.g., clinical labs, biobanks, etc.) by connecting them to the practice’s single ecosystem.
Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN)
Go completely paperless by keeping all records of lab operations in one place. Some LIMS software includes ELN as one of its modules, while others offer integrations with third-party ELNs.
Get better and faster insights into laboratory data by processing it with the help of a robust analytics solution tuned specifically for the medical field.
Speed up and simplify the cooperation among your pharma R&D, testing, and commercial departments by syncing LIMS data with a pharmacy management system.
How to choose a laboratory information management system
With a wide range of available laboratory information systems on the market, choosing the most suitable one can be difficult. Consider the must-have qualities of laboratory software and compare the available types to make the right choice.
Scalability
A laboratory information system (LIS) should evolve alongside your practice so you won’t have to re-install new software each time your client base grows or your service offering expands.
Reliability
LIMS should handle large workloads without fail or significant operational slowdowns and back up data regularly and securely to prevent loss or compromise.
Usability
Prevent personnel burnout and reduce data input time by choosing a system with an intuitive and friendly interface that isn’t overcrowded with unnecessary info and functionality. If your lab’s specialty requires a complex system, check if the vendor offers proper training.
Interoperability
Modern LIMS must exchange data with other healthcare software, so choose a system that can read and export data in the most common industry formats and can be easily integrated with other systems.
Custom vs off-the-shelf LIMS systems
A plug-and-play information management system is a viable option for laboratories that want to implement and adopt the solution quickly, don’t need many additional capabilities, and don’t plan to integrate it with a lot of other complex software. Custom systems take longer to develop and implement, but they better fit the lab’s specific needs and standard operating procedures (SOPs). They also include only specifically chosen features and connect flawlessly to the rest of the healthcare IT ecosystem. While custom solutions are more expensive, they tend to bring ROI faster.
Web-based vs on-premise LIMS software
Choosing between deployment modes is one of the first and most crucial steps when selecting the right LIMS, as they have very distinct characteristics.
Web-based
On-premise
Implementation cost
Implementation cost
Lower upfront costs but potentially higher annual fees
Higher upfront cost but lower annual expenses
Setup timeline
Setup timeline
Shorter
Longer
Security & privacy
Security & privacy
More sensitive to external threats like hacker attacks
More resilient to external threats but vulnerable to internal ones
Interoperability
Interoperability
Interoperable with cloud-based systems and connects well with the rest of laboratory software
Requires additional tools and procedures to exchange data with other software
Scalability
Scalability
Scales easily but annual fees are higher for larger data storage
Additional development is required to expand the system’s capacity
Safety & backup
Safety & backup
Software provider usually takes care of data security and backups
Regular backups and security compliance are the in-house team’s responsibility
Accessibility
Accessibility
Can be accessed remotely if a high-quality internet connection is available
Cannot be accessed from anywhere except the lab’s facilities but doesn’t require a connection to the web
LIMS selection guide
While some capabilities and deployment modes can appear more innovative and beneficial on paper, healthcare organizations should double-check if they suit their needs by asking a series of crucial questions.
Our LIMS services
Our healthcare software developers can support laboratories at any stage of LIMS implementation or throughout the whole project.
Our experts help laboratories from various niches choose suitable software, pinpoint the essential functionality to cover their lab’s requirements, and support them throughout the system’s implementation cycle. We can also audit their current lab informatics software and suggest improvements or upgrades to enhance productivity and regulatory compliance.
Our healthcare software development team creates functionality and UI/UX design tailored to the particular laboratory’s workflows, integrates LIMS software with other modules and systems, and carries out scalability, usability, and quality assurance. We also deliver complementary mobile apps to enable on-the-go access to laboratory software.
LIMS implementation
We employ LIMS implementation techniques and tools to speed up and simplify the process, minimize disruptions to existing workflows, and make sure it delivers positive results sooner. Our experts also offer ongoing support, maintenance, upgrade, and training services to ensure the successful implementation and usage of the LIS software in your laboratory IT ecosystem.
LIMS implementation roadmap
Our implementation team will bring the project to life, regardless of whether you choose to develop LIMS from scratch or install a ready-made solution.
1
Pre-implementation
We work closely with a laboratory's decision-makers and staff to define LIMS requirements and tech stack, map out vital workflows, create the project plan, and estimate the cost and timeline.
2
Implementation
We align the LIMS of your choice with the lab’s processes, integrate it with laboratory software or third-party tools, and connect to lab equipment if necessary. Our team can also perform data migration from legacy systems or general-use spreadsheets and ensure the system’s quality, security, and compliance.
3
Post-implementation
We monitor the system’s performance to determine if further tuning is needed, help solve upcoming operational issues, upgrade or expand it when necessary, and conduct personnel training sessions.
Top LIM platforms
This powerful LIMS platform from Thirdwave Analytics is the easiest LIMS to use, according to the G2 Spring assessment. Designed for Biotech companies, NGS, and Core & QC labs, it combines the sophisticated analytical capabilities required for research-focused organizations with commercial and clinical features. The Lockbox solution is modular and flexible, runs on AWS and Salesforce, and can be easily integrated with their other software. The subscription price for most Lockbox solutions is $225/user/month on average. However, the exact cost will depend on the features and integration you need and the size of your organization. Thirdawave Analytics don’t provide a free trial for their solutions, but you can schedule a demo or watch a webinar.
STARLIMS provides a full suite of laboratory software: LIMS, ELN, a scientific data management system, a laboratory execution system, and an additional data analytics module. It has powerful capabilities and functions helpful in virtually every niche. The vendor doesn’t show a pricing model upfront, but you can request a demo and a quote for free.
CloudLIMS, a SOC 2-compliant and ISO 9001:2015-certified informatics company, provides a SaaS platform with robust sample management capabilities, portals to connect with patients and physicians, test and patient management tools, as well as analytics and reporting modules. The platform has five pricing levels billed monthly: $220 per user for a company with five to ten users and $50 per user for a company with fifty or more users. Most laboratories using this software are happy with its performance, interface, support team, and variety of features.
LigoLab offers a comprehensive laboratory informatics platform that goes beyond LIS and revenue management functionalities and supports processes in clinical, microbiology, and molecular laboratories, as well as anatomic pathology organizations. The majority of customers recommend LigoLab’s solution for its features and usability, while some say its numerous customization possibilities make the system overly complicated and confusing. Potential customers can request a free demo, but the implementation costs for this software are determined individually.
Video title: LigoLab LIS & RCM Operating Platform
Video source: capterra.com — LigoLab LIS & RCM Operating Platform
Microsoft offers a secure and compliant MS Cloud for Healthcare platform that can be tailored to cover even the most specific laboratory information management workflows. It includes sample and documentation management features, powerful analytical capabilities, tools for efficient lab team collaboration, and components for quick and easy patient portal setup. Users praise the platform for its flexibility, reliability, and high potential for customization and integration. However, it requires technical expertise to implement correctly, and can be complex for professionals who haven’t used Microsoft software before. The cost of the solution varies greatly depending on the combination of features a particular laboratory requires, but potential customers can utilize the 30-day free trial to make a decision.
LIMS benefits
Laboratories that use information management software gain advantages related to digitization, better organization, and more secure processes.
Digitalization of manual processes
- Lower personnel burnout risk
- Faster and more accurate data input
- Reduced operational costs
- Increased client-centricity driving patient loyalty
Workflow standardization & automation
- Increased process transparency
- Enhanced productivity
- Improved data quality and interoperability
- Easier workflow audit
Stronger security & reliability
- Minimized data breach incidents
- Eliminated research inaccuracies due to data loss or compromise
Top LIMS implementation & use challenges
LIM solutions’ adoption can prove challenging for organizations without experience with this type of software. Therefore, consider consulting industry experts to help you choose the best LIMS option, overcome implementation obstacles, and provide user training and ongoing support.
Discover new business opportunities with LIMS
There are two common misconceptions about LIMS solutions: the first one is that they are just tools to digitally track samples or send out test results to clients, and the second one is that they are only applicable in the healthcare industry. However, though pharma and clinics are among the top organizations that adopt LIS, they can be valuable to other industries like manufacturing, food and beverage, and agriculture. In fact, LIS is the simplest way to optimize laboratory operations and expand your service scope. Whether you run a stand-alone laboratory or offer lab services among others, we strongly recommend looking into LIS software adoption, as many successful corporations have already proved that this investment can go a long way.
Want an expert team to handle LIMS implementation?
FAQ
What is the difference between LIS & LIMS?
While the two definitions are often used interchangeably, the general consensus is that the LIS system provides more support for administrative tasks and patient management, while the LIMS system focuses on sample and inventory management.
What is the difference between PIMs (Product Information Management) & LIMS?
PIMs manage product data (product descriptions, images, specifications, and pricing), and LIMS manage laboratory data (test results, instrument calibration records, etc.). They can include the same information, e.g., a reagent’s barcode, but for different purposes.
What is the difference between Quality Management System (QMS) & LIMS?
QMS is a collection of tools and processes used to improve the quality of products or services inside a particular organization. A lab QMS can include LIMS as one of its tools.
How much does a LIMS cost?
The cost of LIMS software depends on the vendor, the size of the user base, and the number and complexity of required features and integrations.
Service
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