If you’re about to set up a laboratory or run a laboratory, you have already heard about a Laboratory Information management System (LIMS).
Today, it has become a necessary solution for managing laboratory operations as technology evolves and laboratories handle more crucial tasks. Continue reading to discover why you need a LIMS in your lab and how it can significantly support your operations.
Check out the benefits of having a LIMS in your lab. First, we need to understand what a LIMS is and its features.
What is a LIMS?
A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is software that aims to manage laboratories’ data management and regulatory challenges across the world. You will use it in laboratories to collect samples and all associated data and perform day-to-day operations like standardising operations by reporting procedures.
The initial aim of developing the LIMS system is to keep track of sample movement around the laboratory, but it has since expanded to cover other areas. LIMS has become the desired solution for all data management needs in the laboratory, including keeping track of all the tests performed on samples. Another great feature is the configuration tool that allows your system to meet workflow requirements by matching with the appropriate terminology and removing any need for customisation.
Today, there are multiple LIMS units available, each offering various features depending on your laboratory’s needs.
Benefits of LIMS
Check out some of the reasons why your lab needs a LIMS
Better Logistics Management
LIMS has an efficient logistic management solution that assigns unique barcodes to every sample entering the lab. It also notifies the processing centre appropriately if the samples are registered at the collection centre, making it easier for you to allocate materials, regents and resources before these samples get there.
You can constantly adjust the workflow around processing your samples to fit your lab operations and procedures. At any point in time, you can use your LIMS to locate the samples you wish to use for any project or experiment. The feature also allows you to view all of the previous processes that the model may have passed through.
Makes Data Exchange Seamless
LIMS systems typically have a central database for storing data relevant to your operations. You don’t have to worry about transferring data manually across departments or organisations but rather give the intended party access to the system. You can use this to share files and documents, so your approach is data-driven, and you can make decisions faster.
This automated information exchange capability significantly improves internal operations and clinical processes. LIMS will help your organisation improve the time taken to complete different tasks and improve efficiency. You can also take advantage of the data visualisation tools to view the status of samples at one glance and make decisions based on the insights.
Reduction of Human Errors
Human error is always a factor to consider as even the most diligent workers make mistakes during processes like transcribing measurements, readings and sample details by hand. This is especially true when you have to capture a large volume of data, and these errors can pile up if you do not detect them quickly. In some cases, the errors can even affect your results, making them less accurate and sometimes harmful depending on the scope of the experiment.
When using a LIMS, you don’t have to worry about this, as your system will directly integrate with your laboratory instruments and automatically capture readings. These readings are accurate, and your system will catch them in far less time than when you capture and record manually. LIMS gives you a safe, paperless and straightforward platform where any department can view the results on-demand.
Improved Revenue
Modern Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) has management information systems that allow you to handle financial operations, reports, tests and inventory available in any format you deem fit. Using LABA LIMS, you can mine data, analyse trends to generate actionable insights and make projections. These projections can help make critical decisions for planning, future expansions and demographic information.
You can use this data to know which areas of your business are performing the best so that your decisions can reflect this. Having access to that information can help you significantly cut unnecessary costs and increase revenue.
Tracks Your Inventory
If there is a lack of drugs or equipment in your laboratory, it can significantly hamper operations and make you unable to perform experiments and other tasks. You must keep track of all the necessary supplies you use for procedures in your lab. LIMS can help you automate this task and show you the status of your inventory depending on the frequency you set.
It uses predictive reordering and expiration alerts to determine when it is time to purchase more items. You can customise this feature as you deem fit based on your operations. You can stay ahead of your inventory, eliminate wastage, cut costs and control pilferages easily.
Scale Your Operations Quickly
Scaling your operations without a LIMS system can be pretty tiresome. You will have to sort through many data and records to get all your operations on track and identical to the first centre. It can slow and drag the expansion process, especially if some documentation is missing.
Expanding your operations with a LIMS, on the other hand, can be quick and seamless when you have the master data and all your documentation in one spot. With a cloud-based LIMS, you can seamlessly expand operations to other locations without any downtime. With LIMS, you can manage all your laboratory centres in a centralised, secure platform while they run operations independently.
Conclusion
The benefits of a LIMS are endless. Many LIMS modules, including LIMS LABA, support regulatory compliance methods, including ISO17025, GxP, etc. It is a single unit you can use to integrate all other aspects of your operation like accounting and ERP to improve your process efficiency and operations.
In today’s world, needs keep increasing, and laboratories have an increasing pressure to produce results quickly. It has made LIMS a necessity in any laboratory if they want to stay competitive and deliver excellent service to customers.
