What is a LIMS? A LIMS is {a laboratory|a lab} {information|info|details} management system. In its {most|many|a lot of|the majority of} {basic|fundamental|standard} {form|type|kind}, it is {a software|a software application} {package|bundle|plan} and database for {handling|dealing with|managing} the work {flow|circulation}, sample {life cycle|life process} and {data|information} storage for {a laboratory|a lab}.

To {describe|explain} what {a laboratory|a lab} {information|info|details} management system is, I will {describe|explain} how one functions in the {lab|laboratory}. When samples are {received|gotten} into the {lab|laboratory}, they are logged into the database and {assigned|designated|appointed} a sample number. At log in, all of the sample's {pertinent|relevant|important|essential|significant} {information|info|details} such as lot number and sample date are {entered into|participated in} the database to be {associated with|connected with|related to} that sample. This sample number can then be {used|utilized} to {retrieve|recover|obtain} the sample at any time {during|throughout} its {life cycle|life process} to either {enter|go into|get in} {data|information} or {view|see} the sample's status or the status of {individual|private|specific} tests. This is the {very|extremely|really} {basics|fundamentals|essentials} to be {expected from|anticipated from|gotten out of} a LIMS system.

{Large|Big} LIMS systems do {much more|a lot more|far more} than the {basics|fundamentals|essentials} {described|explained} above. {Custom|Customized|Custom-made} reports and labels are {often|frequently|typically} {created|produced|developed} and {triggered|set off|activated} to print at {certain|specific|particular} points in a sample's {life cycle|life process}. An example of this would be a sample label printed upon sample log in or a certificate of analysis or approval label {generated|produced|created} upon sample approval.

If the LIMS is {set up|established} to perform your {testing|screening} {calculations|computations|estimations}, you have now standardized these functions. This {eliminates|gets rid of|removes} the {need|requirement} for {checking|inspecting|examining} each {calculation|computation|estimation} for {accuracy|precision} and {significant|considerable|substantial} figures, {sending|sending out} paper back for corrections - all {very|extremely|really} time consuming {quality control|quality assurance} {tasks|jobs}.

Tracking sample {turn around|reverse} time is another {use|usage} of LIMS systems. {Since|Because|Considering that|Given that} the date and time are {recorded|tape-recorded|taped} at each {step|action} in a sample's {life cycle|life process}, reports can extract this {data|information} and be {used|utilized} to track sample {turn around|reverse} time for the {laboratory|lab}. In addition, samples or {individual|private|specific} tests {may|might} be {assigned|designated|appointed} to {analysts|experts} who can then {electronically|digitally} {view|see} the work that they {need|require} to {perform|carry out}. If due dates are {also|likewise} {assigned|designated|appointed} to samples, the {analysts|experts} can {also|likewise} {easily|quickly} prioritize their work.

{Once|When|As soon as} a LIMS {has|has actually} been {used|utilized} for a while, you now have {a lot of|a great deal of} {data|information} that can be mined. You can now {easily|quickly} {trend|pattern} results {over time|in time|gradually|with time} for any {data|information} in the LIMS. These are {just|simply} a few of the {benefits|advantages} that can be {realized|recognized|understood} from a well {executed|performed|carried out} LIMS {implementation|application|execution}.

If you are {investigating|examining} a LIMS for your {laboratory|lab}, the {three|3} {most important|essential|crucial} things to {consider|think about} are your {regulatory|regulative} requirements, {budget|budget plan|spending plan} and user requirements. For {a large|a big} {lab|laboratory} in {a tightly|a firmly|a securely} {regulated|controlled|managed} {industry|market}, {a highly|an extremely} {customized|personalized|tailored} LIMS {implementation|application|execution} is {measured|determined} in {man|guy|male} years and is {large|big} {investment|financial investment} in the future {efficiency|effectiveness|performance} of the {lab|laboratory}. {A large|A big} part of this {implementation|application|execution} {cost|expense} is the {validation|recognition} {required|needed} {before|prior to} going live. There are {less expensive|cheaper|more economical|less costly} {alternatives|options} on {the market|the marketplace} that will {give|provide|offer} you the sample management {benefits|advantages} without {requiring|needing} all of the time consuming {customization|personalization|modification} or the {benefits|advantages} that {go with|choose|opt for} it.