A Lab Information Management System is no less than a boon for the labs. LIMS plays a vital role by automating and streamlining the process, removing the need to manually manage the data manually. A good LIMS eliminates the human error by allowing constant monitoring and reporting. A plethora of LIS, however, available in the market, all claiming to be the best. So, now the question arises, how to choose the right LIMS? Here’s the answer:
Choose A LIMS That Fits Your Lab Requirements
Your Lab is the primary consideration when selecting the best LIMS. There are several different types of LIMS available today, such as life LIMS for science research, medical devices, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, industrial/QC. You must look to choose a LIMS that has the functionality and resources to improve the productivity of your lab. Also, ask whether it is a QA laboratory, an analytical laboratory or R&D, the kind of lab you operate. Different LIMS can appeal to the different types of labs used in a given industry. In such instances, you must look for the features that fulfill your basic needs in the workplace.
Keep In Mind Your Current Practices
It is necessary to identify the things like the workflow of your lab, efficient and inefficient processes, the breakdowns, etc., that works for your Labs. It is helpful to specify user needs for brainstorming. Take time to write down what you want to help laboratory management in your particular setting, before you begin to evaluate the advantages and contraries of such LIMS offers. Make a checklist by considering your current practise and some search results to have a better understanding of your requirements.
Look For The LIMS That Offers Flexibility
Although most LIMS have similar functions and capabilities, the ways functionality and features are given and optimized are greatly varying in the various solutions. A broad range of special functions and functionality already built into the package and ready to be used when installed in some LIMS are presented while others are provided with certain features through the tools offered by the device via configuration.
Support From The LIMS Provider
This is really important. Always make sure to have a LIMS that offers the best customer support services. It won’t be wise to choose a LIMS that offers poor service. Thus, always get LIMS from a trusted source like LabScion, where you’ll get no compromise with quality service.
Choose A Futuristic LIMS
When you evaluate the requirements of your laboratory, don’t just think about your day-to-day operations and procedures. Also, consider the future of your laboratory. It doesn’t make sense to spend your time and money on things that work today but not tomorrow. Go for a LIMS that can outgrow and have scope to further upgrade. This will aid investing in a LIMS that provides not only solid, non-box functions, but the flexibility to later configure and add to your kit. It will also allow a supplier to help you introduce the new LIMS, and explore some additional features when the time comes.
Chalk-Out Your Budget
You must choose an LIMS that doesn’t bring a hole in your pocket. Yes, buying a LIMS is not like buying a candy, but it should not be something that comes at the price of Lamborghini. Many LIMS can be set up to support various workflows. You can use a general purpose LIMS wherever necessary, make modifications to the setup and adaptations in-house, if your lab has a big IT department. But if you don’t have the depth to accommodate the workload at home, consider a LIMS that has decent functionality out of the box and can be adapted down the street. This would make you feel the most at ease at the front and also make it possible for your company to extend its purchase later as the business expands. Once you find the Best LIMS of your choice, please be sure and talk to the departments concerned to find out how much you could and should invest in that LIMS. In short, make a budget but that doesn’t means go for cheaper things as good things comes at a good price.
Conclusion
LIMS is a must to have in your lab, thus ensure to have, atleast, one for your lab by keeping the aforementioned things in your mind. Also, get the LIS(Lab Information System) from a leading LIMS software provider such as LabScion, who got your back from service to support.
