Role of LIMS in laboratory automation

      A Laboratory Information Management System or Laboratory Integration Management Solution (LIMS) is a software system used in laboratories for the integraton of all laboratory softwares, instruments, and the management of samples, laboratory users, standards and other laboratory functions such as QA/QC Quality Assurance and Quality Control, sample planning, invoicing, plate management, and workflow automation.

      Labs can increase their efficiency in data acquisition, and the integrity of their data, with the automation and integration provided by the LIMS.

      The system is instrument independent, allowing labs to choose their own instruments and know that they will interface with their LIMS.

       Instrument integration and control for liquid handling and synthesis workstations including Tecan Genesis, Cyclone, Tomtec, etc. is supported in order to reduce the time needed for data collection.

      Duplicate data entry is eliminated, as well as human transcription errors.The lab’s data quality and availability are increased.  LIMS can create custom integration with any third party systems in use by a lab. This provides a unified platform for enterprise wide reporting of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as well as any other factors needed by the lab. 

Laboratory Information management systems

INTRODUCTION:

This is a forum where one can share views and knowledge related to Laboratory Information Management Systems. Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is a software application that helps to manage vital lab data systematically, it helps to maintain traceability and integrity of data. It also mimics the lab work flow within the application so as to maintain detailed informations related to each complicated Lab processes followed by the scientist. Sample Life Cycle is the basic feature of all LIMS product that manages the sample work flow generally followed by most Laboratories. With gradual introduction of new technology LIMS further minimises the job of scientists with the introduction of Instrument Interface. Lab data are results of long years of hard work from research scientist, so this data must be archived properly so that it can be retrieved as and when required.

LABVANTAGE LIMS

LIMS vendors : The most popular LIMS vendor are Labware LIMS, LABVANTAGE, Caliber, STAR LIMS etc. Here are few websites of the vendors;

• www.labware.com
• www.labvantage.com
• www.starlims.com
• www.caliberindia.com/product_caliberlims.html

Key features of LIMS: LIMS has several purpose to serve in the regular activities of any scientific laboratory. The key features which most of the LIMS have are as follows;

1. Role based access to different modules and processes followed within the Lab.

2. Sample life cycle feature for maintaining the entire work flow of Sample login to Sample Disposal.

3. Audit Trials feature for tracking any modifications done during any process flow. It must track the modifiers's name with modified time.

4.  Instrument Interface module for bi-directional data transfer between LIMS and Instruments. This feature helps Scientists in minimising the extra effort of documentation.