Making the Right Choice: Tips for Selecting the Perfect LIMS
What Is the Right LIMS for Your Lab?
Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) were originally created to manage simple processes, essentially tracking and controlling workflows. Over the years, LIMS have continued to evolve and improve, encompassing many aspects of what is needed for successful lab management. Today’s LIMS offerings have the ability to integrate with various databases, applications, instruments, and systems, and they offer features that often can manage multiple facets of your lab’s operations.
Any type of lab will experience a more efficient lab management process after implementing a LIMS. If you’ve recognized the potential benefits that you will reap after adopting a LIMS, you may be ready to take the next step. But, with the various options on the market today, how do you choose the LIMS that is right for your lab?
Consider your current practices
What are your current lab processes? When you outline your workflow, where are the breakdowns occurring? Ask yourself the hard questions, such as, “Where are we using inefficient processes?” It is useful to brainstorm user requirement specifications. Before you begin to weigh the pros and cons of specific LIMS offerings, take the time to write down what you are looking for to support lab management in your unique environment. By thinking about your current practices and some of the look-fors and wish list items you have now, you’ll have a better idea of whether the various LIMS you’re evaluating are checking your boxes.
Consider your industry and lab type
Your industry is a key factor when choosing the right LIMS for your lab. There are many varieties of LIMS on the market today, some of which have been designed to support certain industries, such as life science research, med device, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food, environment and industrial/QC testing organizations. If you choose a LIMS that is designed for your industry, it is more likely to have the features and support you’re looking for to boost the efficiency of your lab.
In addition to your lab’s industry, also consider the type of lab you are running, whether it’s a QA lab, analytical lab, or R&D. Some LIMS will cater to these various types of labs within an industry. In these cases, you can find functionalities that will help you meet specific lab management needs.
Consider the costs
Once you’ve identified what you need to see in your potential LIMS, be sure to confer with the appropriate departments to determine what your company can spend. While it’s hard to put a price tag on more efficient lab management, you need to be sure that you’re making the best financial decisions for your company.
There are some general-purpose LIMS available today. These can be configured to support different workflows. If your lab has a strong IT department, you may be able to utilize a general-purpose LIMS and make in-house changes to configuration and customizations as needed. However, if you don’t have the depth to handle the workload in house, consider a LIMS that has good functionality out of the box, with the ability to customize down the road. This will get you the most bang for your buck on the front end, while still allowing your company the option to expand its purchase later as the business grows.
For more on pricing and costs, check out our post on the cost of a LIMS.
Consider the big picture
When you assess your lab’s need, you are thinking about the day-in, day-out processes and procedures you’re currently executing. That’s an important step, but you must also think about your lab’s future. You don’t want to select a product that works with who you are today but will hold you back from future growth. If you look down the road of your lab’s future, will the LIMS you are considering still accomplish what you need it to? Will it be integrated with your systems? Will you outgrow it?
This is where it can be helpful to invest in a LIMS that offers not only solid, out of the box functionality, but also the ability to customize and add to your package later. It also pays to partner with a vendor that provides strong post-sales support to help you implement your new LIMS and discuss any future additions when the time comes.
Lockbox LIMS is a fully customizable, 100% cloud-based system. Our product is modular, allowing you to purchase the functionality you need now, with the option to add modules later. If you are interested in purchasing the Lockbox Laboratory Information Management System for your team, please click on the “Contact Us” link on the top of this page and someone from our sales team will be in touch. If you are a current Lockbox LIMS subscriber and think your team could benefit from additional Lockbox modules, please reach out to your Customer Success Rep.