Should I buy a standard LIMS or go for a customized solution?
How much costlier would it be to purchase a customizable LIMS?
What LIMS features are most useful?
What should be the critical deciding factors for a good LIMS?
Am I making the right investment?
Laboratory managers poised to invest in a LIMS often have these thoughts. Investing in a LIMS can seem like a daunting task because of the multitude of options available out there. In this blog post, based on a study by Lab Manager, we seek to simplify the process of choosing a LIMS, so that your investment is every penny worth it.
It is important to compare different LIMS offerings on these parameters for good return on LIMS investment:
- What goals do you plan to achieve with a LIMS? Chart out, list wise what value a LIMS can add to your organization. Calculate and assign a monetary value to each of those list items, if possible. This will help you decide whether a LIMS is worth investing in or not.
- What are your current laboratory requirements in terms of operation, management and support? What is your long-term plan for those requirements?
- Are your needs expected to change? If yes, invest in a LIMS which allows flexibility so that your laboratory is easily scalable.
- Is your in-house technical staff properly equipped to compare different LIMS in the market? If not, a consultant can help you find the right match for your business and needs. Research well to reach an experienced consultant.
- Prepare a solid list of the parameters and questions, and phone each LIMS company that you’re interested in. If they can answer your questions, ask for previous examples, case studies, fact sheets, and data. Comparing the data from the different company can help you be sure of your decision.
- A product demonstration is essential for the LIMS you are considering seriously.
TOP 10 FEATURES/FACTORS
Respondents Consider Before Purchasing a LIMS:
SERVICE AND SUPPORT – 82%
FLEXIBILITY – 71%
VENDOR SUPPORTED TRAINING – 65%
PRICE – 63%
EASILY UPGRADED – 63%
EASY DATA MIGRATION – 62%
SIMPLE INTERFACE – 62%
EASE OF INSTALLATION – 59%
POWERFUL REPORTING FUNCTIONS – 54%
VENDOR REPUTATION – 44%
Most Common Types of LIMS configuration used
Web-based – 46%
Client/server – 41%
Stand-alone – 25%
Thin client/server – 5%
Other – 8%
Most common LIMS applications in use
Sample management – 81%
User reporting – 73%
QA/QC – 73%
Instrument connection – 52%
Workflow automation – 40%
Regulatory management – 34%
Chemical inventory – 32%
Invoicing – 31%
Other – 13%
About 49% respondents purchase a new LIMS because of the following reasons:
- Upgrading to a new system – 49%
- Setting up a new lab – 12%
- First time purchase – 12%
- Adding to an existing system – 10%
- Other – 18%