Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
What is a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)?
A laboratory information management system (LIMS) is a software solution that addresses the workflow, data management, and regulatory challenges faced by labs. If you're swimming in spreadsheets, a well-implemented LIMS offers features that help:
Ensure data quality from sample collection through project completion.
Maintain a robust compliance posture and proactive risk management across your laboratory operations.
Optimize your labs performance through real-time data, actionable insights and trusted KPIs.
Ensure data quality from sample collection through project completion.
Maintain a robust compliance posture and proactive risk management across your laboratory operations.
Optimize your labs performance through real-time data, actionable insights and trusted KPIs.
What are some key benefits of using LIMS software?
Data Quality and Security
Maintain complete data integrity throughout the entire sample lifecycle, empowering your lab to make precise, data-driven decisions in a secure and compliant manner.
Cost Savings
Implementing a LIMS promotes substantial cost efficiencies for a laboratory's operations through automation, improved resource management, and regulatory compliance support.
Improve Audit Readiness
Foster a culture of continuous compliance through intelligent automation, precise control limits, and enforceable workflows that reinforce your labs regulatory preparedness.
Improved Collaboration
The right LIMS solution enables remote work and seamless collaboration from any device. Teams across sites can share, update, and analyze data in real time, boosting productivity and eliminating delays.
Customer Satisfaction
For labs, data is the product, and speed is key. Faster results mean quicker decisions. With a LIMS, your clients get instant access to read-only reports and the information they need, exactly when they need it.
Efficiency via Integration
Choosing a LIMS with industry-standard tools is key. A non-integrated system hinders productivity. Connecting instruments, calculations, and barcoding boosts accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
What Capabilities Make a Best-in-Class LIMS?
LIMS software streamlines lab operations with features enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. It automates workflows and sample tracking to optimize processes and reduce errors. LIMS ensures high data integrity through verification and regulatory compliance functions, and maintains transparent audit trails for accountability. Integration with instruments and APIs facilitates smooth data flow, while robust security features protect sensitive information. The system is scalable, allowing labs to expand without losing performance, and introduces cost-efficiency metrics along with advanced analytics for better decision-making. LIMS is essential for modern labs aiming to improve efficiency and support growth.
How do I select the right laboratory information management software for my laboratory?
Choosing the right LIMS system software might feel overwhelming, but with a strategic approach, it can be a straightforward and rewarding process. Start by clearly defining your lab’s data management needs, overall budget (including internal resources), goals, and the specific role the LIMS will play in your operations. Conducting an internal needs assessment can help you pinpoint where your lab stands in terms of automation and where you want it to go.
Next, match potential LIMS solutions to your requirements. Dive into product demos, review vendor certifications, assess their track record and reputation, and consider feedback from existing clients. Don’t forget to evaluate the technology itself to ensure it aligns with your lab’s expertise and future aspirations.
Discover the steps The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) took in selecting a LIMS.
Here’s some additional tips to help you confidently choose a LIMS that not only addresses your lab’s current challenges but also evolves with your needs over time.
Ready to get started?
Next, match potential LIMS solutions to your requirements. Dive into product demos, review vendor certifications, assess their track record and reputation, and consider feedback from existing clients. Don’t forget to evaluate the technology itself to ensure it aligns with your lab’s expertise and future aspirations.
Discover the steps The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) took in selecting a LIMS.
Here’s some additional tips to help you confidently choose a LIMS that not only addresses your lab’s current challenges but also evolves with your needs over time.
Ready to get started?
How do I begin defining my laboratory data management needs and goals?
Start by outlining your laboratory's current needs and goals—both immediate and long-term. As you map this out, involve key stakeholders like the IT manager, financial/billing manager, and division heads to ensure everyone's priorities are accounted for. Conduct interviews to gain their insights and align their objectives with the lab’s vision. By building this clear, detailed roadmap, you will set a strong foundation for success. Learn more about building a proficient project team for a successful LIMS deployment.
What are the specific benefits of LIMS for Quality Control (QC) Laboratories?
QC labs require stringent adherence to the identification and classification of samples, the rules of testing along with the historical tracking of data for evaluation and trending. A LIMS provides a host of features that are greatly beneficial to QC labs in virtually any industry. Confience eLIMS guarantees adherence to product specification and statistical conformance while smoothly guiding samples to and through a QC laboratory. Interfaces to instruments and 3rd party systems, bar coding and automated reporting further enhance efficiency while reducing transcription errors. Additional Confience eLIMS features that benefit QC labs include:
Product Specification Management
The key to product quality is adherence to published specification limits. The Confience eLIMS Specification Manager allows the definition of multiple limit ranges, customer specification limits, statistical quality control limits as well as textual limits and issues warnings whenever conformance is violated.
Sample Login and Test Assignment
A variety of options are available to rapidly create samples and assign descriptive information both manually and automatically via interfaces and schedules. Rules for the assignment of tests and associated limits can be based on the process step to ensure that the right tests are performed at the right time.
Result Entry Options
A variety of results entry options are available to accommodate your lab’s preferences. Manual entry can be performed by sample, by test, by worksheet or by crosstab. In addition, results can also be entered using mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones. Of course, the most efficient means of results entry is by instrument interface and if Excel is your preference, Confience eLIMS can be linked directly to well-defined spreadsheets.
Dashboard Web Parts
User-specific, interactive dashboard web parts are configured to provide actionable information that is specific to each person’s job function. Dynamic workflow lists and interactive graphs are powerful tools that minimize user’s need to navigate through the software because the information required to guide workflow is always available from their dashboard.
Product Specification Management
The key to product quality is adherence to published specification limits. The Confience eLIMS Specification Manager allows the definition of multiple limit ranges, customer specification limits, statistical quality control limits as well as textual limits and issues warnings whenever conformance is violated.
Sample Login and Test Assignment
A variety of options are available to rapidly create samples and assign descriptive information both manually and automatically via interfaces and schedules. Rules for the assignment of tests and associated limits can be based on the process step to ensure that the right tests are performed at the right time.
Result Entry Options
A variety of results entry options are available to accommodate your lab’s preferences. Manual entry can be performed by sample, by test, by worksheet or by crosstab. In addition, results can also be entered using mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones. Of course, the most efficient means of results entry is by instrument interface and if Excel is your preference, Confience eLIMS can be linked directly to well-defined spreadsheets.
Dashboard Web Parts
User-specific, interactive dashboard web parts are configured to provide actionable information that is specific to each person’s job function. Dynamic workflow lists and interactive graphs are powerful tools that minimize user’s need to navigate through the software because the information required to guide workflow is always available from their dashboard.
What are the specific benefits of LIMS for Analytical and Commercial Testing Laboratories?
Corporate Analytical and Commercial Testing labs are tasked with providing accurate results to their customers by the promised date in a cost-effective manner. A LIMS streamlines this process, boosting efficiency and convenience.
Management of projects, customers, pricing, costs, priorities, turnaround times, inventory and other organizational information are inherent to Confience eLIMS. A portal that allows requestors to submit their own samples, retrieve the status of their requests and have reports automatically issued when the lab has completed the work request is also included to eliminate time and error.
Imagine a lab where customers submit their own samples, barcode labels are printed, prioritized worklists are created, instrument data flows into the system and reports are automatically generated with little or no manual interaction. In addition, laboratory inventory is managed, and instrument calibration and maintenance schedules are self-generated. Cost and KPI reports are ready at your fingertips. This is the power of Confience eLIMS.
Additional eLIMS features that benefit Analytical and Commercial Testing labs include:
Customer Portal
A web portal allows your customers to create their own requests and samples while avoiding inefficiencies that are often experienced by eliminating duplication of effort and transcription errors. The portal also allows customers to monitor the progress of work, access validated and/or approved data and retrieve their reports without disrupting the laboratory staff with phone calls and emails.
Workflow Management
The status of lab requests, samples, tests and schedules are automatically updated within interactive dashboard web parts to allow the throughput to be continuously monitored. With little or no effort, you will identify and circumvent problems before they occur. In addition, barcodes can be utilized to positively identify and track samples as they are processed.
Automated Reports and Emails
Reports can be sent automatically based on status change or timing to ensure that information flows to the right people at the right time. This means that COAs and invoices can be issued to customers upon final approval, notifications & warnings can be sent to responsible staff members via email or text, labels can be printed, and management reports can be sent without any time-consuming, manual effort.
Instrument Interfaces
Data generated from instruments can be imported directly into Confience eLIMS to save time and transcription error. This includes QA/QC data that will automatically generate SQC reports for instruments and associated standards.
Quotation and Invoicing
Basic pricing for each Test and for pre-defined Test Groups can be assigned within Confience eLIMS. In addition, customer-specific pricing is also available if required. Site-specific prioritization levels can also be implemented to automatically calculate turnaround times (compensated for weekends and holidays) and adjust the prices of requests, samples and/or individual tests. This information can be used to generate quotations and invoices. Invoice data can be passed to your accounting system to provide a seamless flow of information from beginning to end.
Management of projects, customers, pricing, costs, priorities, turnaround times, inventory and other organizational information are inherent to Confience eLIMS. A portal that allows requestors to submit their own samples, retrieve the status of their requests and have reports automatically issued when the lab has completed the work request is also included to eliminate time and error.
Imagine a lab where customers submit their own samples, barcode labels are printed, prioritized worklists are created, instrument data flows into the system and reports are automatically generated with little or no manual interaction. In addition, laboratory inventory is managed, and instrument calibration and maintenance schedules are self-generated. Cost and KPI reports are ready at your fingertips. This is the power of Confience eLIMS.
Additional eLIMS features that benefit Analytical and Commercial Testing labs include:
Customer Portal
A web portal allows your customers to create their own requests and samples while avoiding inefficiencies that are often experienced by eliminating duplication of effort and transcription errors. The portal also allows customers to monitor the progress of work, access validated and/or approved data and retrieve their reports without disrupting the laboratory staff with phone calls and emails.
Workflow Management
The status of lab requests, samples, tests and schedules are automatically updated within interactive dashboard web parts to allow the throughput to be continuously monitored. With little or no effort, you will identify and circumvent problems before they occur. In addition, barcodes can be utilized to positively identify and track samples as they are processed.
Automated Reports and Emails
Reports can be sent automatically based on status change or timing to ensure that information flows to the right people at the right time. This means that COAs and invoices can be issued to customers upon final approval, notifications & warnings can be sent to responsible staff members via email or text, labels can be printed, and management reports can be sent without any time-consuming, manual effort.
Instrument Interfaces
Data generated from instruments can be imported directly into Confience eLIMS to save time and transcription error. This includes QA/QC data that will automatically generate SQC reports for instruments and associated standards.
Quotation and Invoicing
Basic pricing for each Test and for pre-defined Test Groups can be assigned within Confience eLIMS. In addition, customer-specific pricing is also available if required. Site-specific prioritization levels can also be implemented to automatically calculate turnaround times (compensated for weekends and holidays) and adjust the prices of requests, samples and/or individual tests. This information can be used to generate quotations and invoices. Invoice data can be passed to your accounting system to provide a seamless flow of information from beginning to end.
What are the specific benefits of LIMS for Research and Development (R&D) Laboratories?
R&D Laboratories have the unique need to define experiments and record the resulting information in a combination of well-defined and free-form formats yet maintain an organized structure for quick retrieval and reporting. R&D labs also require the ability to locate records using free text searches, attach files, link to web pages, cross reference projects, and implement features and pages that are specific to their environment.
R&D labs need a system that allows them to design experiments, record both structured and flexible data, and keep everything organized for quick access and reporting. They also require tools to search records, attach files, link web pages, cross-reference projects, and customize features for their specific needs.
Confience eLIMS addresses these challenges with a highly configurable LIMS and built-in Lab Notebook features that allow R&D labs to integrate files, perform free-text searches, and access past data with ease—streamlining collaboration and eliminating redundant tasks.
Confience eLIMS offers flexible features tailored for R&D labs across all industries. Users can easily submit samples online, track request statuses, and receive automated reports once testing is complete.
Plus, Confience eLIMS offers powerful tools to enhance efficiency and productivity, such as:
File Attachment & Free Text Searching
Files of any type (images, movies, PDFs, Word, Excel, etc.) can be easily attached to Confience eLIMS records to associate information for quick retrieval. Confience eLIMS includes a query tool (Smart Search) that allows rapid retrieval of information using words and phrases by simultaneously searching the database records and attachments to locate records that would be irretrievable from notebooks or network files.
Configurable Page Designs
Pages and the underlying tables that manage data can be designed and modified throughout the life of the system to allow you to dynamically change the system as your needs change without costly code modification.
Product Formulation Management
Experimental formulations can be recorded within Confience eLIMS which records the individual ingredients, supplier, material lot, and amounts and serves as a repository for future reference. In addition to retaining the ingredients, the process steps can also be recorded. The material produced by the formulation can be cross-referenced with test results that are obtained to allow formulations to be optimized to produce a product with the desired properties.
Project Management
A Project Management tool is included within Confience eLIMS to organize work for easy retrieval and reporting. A security feature enables you to identify project team members and securely restrict access to data associated with those projects to project team members only.
R&D labs need a system that allows them to design experiments, record both structured and flexible data, and keep everything organized for quick access and reporting. They also require tools to search records, attach files, link web pages, cross-reference projects, and customize features for their specific needs.
Confience eLIMS addresses these challenges with a highly configurable LIMS and built-in Lab Notebook features that allow R&D labs to integrate files, perform free-text searches, and access past data with ease—streamlining collaboration and eliminating redundant tasks.
Confience eLIMS offers flexible features tailored for R&D labs across all industries. Users can easily submit samples online, track request statuses, and receive automated reports once testing is complete.
Plus, Confience eLIMS offers powerful tools to enhance efficiency and productivity, such as:
File Attachment & Free Text Searching
Files of any type (images, movies, PDFs, Word, Excel, etc.) can be easily attached to Confience eLIMS records to associate information for quick retrieval. Confience eLIMS includes a query tool (Smart Search) that allows rapid retrieval of information using words and phrases by simultaneously searching the database records and attachments to locate records that would be irretrievable from notebooks or network files.
Configurable Page Designs
Pages and the underlying tables that manage data can be designed and modified throughout the life of the system to allow you to dynamically change the system as your needs change without costly code modification.
Product Formulation Management
Experimental formulations can be recorded within Confience eLIMS which records the individual ingredients, supplier, material lot, and amounts and serves as a repository for future reference. In addition to retaining the ingredients, the process steps can also be recorded. The material produced by the formulation can be cross-referenced with test results that are obtained to allow formulations to be optimized to produce a product with the desired properties.
Project Management
A Project Management tool is included within Confience eLIMS to organize work for easy retrieval and reporting. A security feature enables you to identify project team members and securely restrict access to data associated with those projects to project team members only.
How can a LIMS help me achieve and maintain industry compliance?
Regulatory compliance isn't just a requirement, it's essential for maintaining quality, ensuring safety, and avoiding costly setbacks. A LIMS simplifies compliance by automating data management, ensuring traceability, and keeping your lab audit ready at all times.
LIMS Support for ISO 17025 and NELAC/TNI Regulatory Compliance
Many laboratories choose, or are required to, be certified to the standards of the NELAC Institute’s (TNI) NELAP regulatory compliance. TNI standards are modeled after ISO 17025, with a deeper focus on requirements specific to water/environmental laboratories. Compliance with either standard gives organizations a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to maintaining an accredited Quality Management System (QMS).
Accreditation also provides internal and external customers with assurances regarding the quality, reliability and reproducibility of testing data.
LIMS are an essential part of achieving and maintaining these accreditations and can provide the backbone to any laboratory’s QMS.
Confience eLIMS streamlines sample tracking from start to finish—login to disposal—capturing every critical step needed for reliable, defendable results. It securely documents the entire process to ensure:
- Various versions of test methods, dates of activation and retirement
- Training record management for analysts and re-certification dates
- Full on-screen audit trail on results
- Complete chain of custody with date/time stamps
- Chemical inventory, lot numbers, expiration dates and storage information
- Instrument maintenance, calibration and repair logs
- Control charts and internal laboratory standards tracking
- Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
- Subcontracting sample tracking
- Reporting templates and Electronic Data Deliverables (EDDs)
Accreditation also provides internal and external customers with assurances regarding the quality, reliability and reproducibility of testing data.
LIMS are an essential part of achieving and maintaining these accreditations and can provide the backbone to any laboratory’s QMS.
Confience eLIMS streamlines sample tracking from start to finish—login to disposal—capturing every critical step needed for reliable, defendable results. It securely documents the entire process to ensure:
- Various versions of test methods, dates of activation and retirement
- Training record management for analysts and re-certification dates
- Full on-screen audit trail on results
- Complete chain of custody with date/time stamps
- Chemical inventory, lot numbers, expiration dates and storage information
- Instrument maintenance, calibration and repair logs
- Control charts and internal laboratory standards tracking
- Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
- Subcontracting sample tracking
- Reporting templates and Electronic Data Deliverables (EDDs)
LIMS Support for Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
The US FDA established GLP regulations in 1979 to address concerns about the quality and integrity of laboratory data. GLPs ensure preclinical testing is reliable, well-documented, and produces accurate, auditable data for regulatory review. These rules apply to premarket research in industries like pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic, medical device, food, food packaging, and agribusiness sectors.
LIMS are instrumental in supporting GLP certifications, which are critical for ensuring the quality and reliability of scientific data in research and regulatory environments. Key elements for GLP certifications include Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality assurance, documentation, reporting, personnel, facility and equipment management, and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)s. LIMS software delivers essential data to support compliance in these areas.
Confience eLIMS streamlines and automates lab processes, ensuring that data is captured accurately and consistently, minimizing human errors and increasing reproducibility. Confience eLIMS provides comprehensive audit trails, controlled data access, and secure data management, all of which are fundamental components of GLP standards.
By maintaining detailed records of every modification and transaction with a robust audit trail, Confience eLIMS helps laboratories comply with the rigorous documentation requirements of GLP.
Additionally, the ability of Confience eLIMS to integrate with other lab instruments and enterprise systems enables a seamless flow of data across platforms, enhancing traceability and accountability. This level of organization and control not only supports compliance with GLP but also enhances the overall efficiency and effectiveness of laboratory operations.
LIMS are instrumental in supporting GLP certifications, which are critical for ensuring the quality and reliability of scientific data in research and regulatory environments. Key elements for GLP certifications include Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality assurance, documentation, reporting, personnel, facility and equipment management, and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)s. LIMS software delivers essential data to support compliance in these areas.
Confience eLIMS streamlines and automates lab processes, ensuring that data is captured accurately and consistently, minimizing human errors and increasing reproducibility. Confience eLIMS provides comprehensive audit trails, controlled data access, and secure data management, all of which are fundamental components of GLP standards.
By maintaining detailed records of every modification and transaction with a robust audit trail, Confience eLIMS helps laboratories comply with the rigorous documentation requirements of GLP.
Additionally, the ability of Confience eLIMS to integrate with other lab instruments and enterprise systems enables a seamless flow of data across platforms, enhancing traceability and accountability. This level of organization and control not only supports compliance with GLP but also enhances the overall efficiency and effectiveness of laboratory operations.
LIMS Support for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
GMP, or Good Manufacturing Practices, ensures manufactured products like food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals are consistently produced and controlled according to set quality standards. In the U.S., the FDA enforces these regulations. GMPs are far-ranging and apply to not only testing but every step of the manufacturing process.
Confience eLIMS plays a pivotal role in supporting GMP in various ways, including:
- Streamlining Sample Management
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Documentation and Record Keeping
- Quality Control and Validation
- Personnel Training and Qualifications
- Facility and Equipment
- Improving Batch Release Processes
- Audit Readiness
- Scaling Operations
Confience eLIMS plays a pivotal role in supporting GMP in various ways, including:
- Streamlining Sample Management
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Documentation and Record Keeping
- Quality Control and Validation
- Personnel Training and Qualifications
- Facility and Equipment
- Improving Batch Release Processes
- Audit Readiness
- Scaling Operations
Why Choose a Software as a Service (SaaS) LIMS?
Confience eLIMS offers a fast, cost-effective way to implement and manage your laboratory information management system. Hosted securely in the cloud, our solution ensures high speed connectivity, robust security, and seamless performance. With a SaaS model, you'll receive continuous updates, expert management, and the flexibility of a predictable monthly subscription - so you can focus on what matters most: running your lab efficiently.
Low-Cost, Low Maintenance, and Always Up-To-Date
SaaS provides an intriguing alternative to traditional purchase and on-premises installation and management. Instead, the applications reside on a remote cloud network accessed through the web and fully managed and maintained by Confience. Your organization simply uses the software and pays for usage on an affordable, monthly basis.
Why Software as a Service?
Your organization can quickly enjoy the advantages of Confience eLIMS lab automation and data management in your business environment at a low monthly cost. Here are some key reasons to use Confience eLIMS SaaS:
Reduced Time to Benefit
Using the Confience eLIMS SaaS (Software as a Service) model reduces the time spent on installation and configuration and can reduce internal IT issues that often interfere with software deployment.
Lower Costs
Confience eLIMS SaaS provides beneficial cost savings through its low monthly pricing and frees up your budget for other needs. Additionally, SaaS software is treated as an expense which has great tax advantages.
Scalability and Integration
Confience eLIMS SaaS resides in a fully scalable cloud environment. This means that the system can start small (in size and cost) and grow by increasing the server’s memory, disk space and CPU as you grow without any interruption to laboratory operation.
Reduced Time to Benefit
Using the Confience eLIMS SaaS (Software as a Service) model reduces the time spent on installation and configuration and can reduce internal IT issues that often interfere with software deployment.
Lower Costs
Confience eLIMS SaaS provides beneficial cost savings through its low monthly pricing and frees up your budget for other needs. Additionally, SaaS software is treated as an expense which has great tax advantages.
Scalability and Integration
Confience eLIMS SaaS resides in a fully scalable cloud environment. This means that the system can start small (in size and cost) and grow by increasing the server’s memory, disk space and CPU as you grow without any interruption to laboratory operation.
New Releases (upgrades)
Updates to the operating system, security patches and Confience eLIMS software are provided whenever they become available. This reduces the internal IT cost.
Discover how switching to a SaaS LIMS solution has revolutionized Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services’ approach to managing lab operations, data, and compliance.
Discover how switching to a SaaS LIMS solution has revolutionized Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services’ approach to managing lab operations, data, and compliance.