What Is a LIMS

The fictional pirate Captain Jack Sparrow once said, “Wherever we want to go, we go. That’s what a ship is, you know. It’s not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails. That’s what a ship needs. But what a ship is…what the Black Pearl really is…is freedom.”

Similar sentiments can be expressed about LIMS. A LIMS is not just a piece of software with features, functions, specifications, and tests. That’s what a LIMS needs to store and digest information and to function properly. But what a LIMS really is… is a tool that can help you attain the freedom to reach your scientific and business goals.  

The versatility of a LIMS allows it to be used in many types of labs such as QA/QC, R&D, Forensics, Environmental, Contract Testing, etc. Because each type of lab operates differently and has different goals, the LIMS will also be really different in each one. Broken out below are some examples of what a LIMS really can be in QA/QC and R&D labs.

What is a LIMS to a QA/QC lab?

A LIMS can be many things in a QA/QC lab depending on the industry and how the LIMS is implemented. Some examples of what a LIMS really is in this type of lab include:

1. An efficiency tool
2. A GLP/regulatory compliance tool
3. A product quality tool

1. A LIMS really is an Efficiency Tool

Scientists and technicians’ work efficiency can be greatly enhanced by automating their manual, mundane laboratory tasks in your LIMS. Ways that this is accomplished include: 

• Automating calculations and reports including data visualization
• Automating Environmental Health & Safety sampling and specifying locations
• Automating stability studies
• Specifying sample container sizes and types
• Incorporating a barcode reader for better materials handling
• Interfacing instruments to the LIMS
• Interfacing the LIMS with other systems (ERP, MES, Business Systems, etc.)

2. A LIMS really is a GLP/Regulatory Compliance Tool

Adherence to GLP and Regulatory requirements can be accomplished with your LIMS. Some examples of these features and capabilities that facilitate this includes:

• Automating instrument calibration and maintenance
• Automating standard and reagent management
• Automating scientist training, recertification, and the records for both
• Adhering to 21 CFR 11 regulations (e-sig, audit trail, e-records, etc.)
• Interfacing with a regulatory document management system to ensure standard operating procedures are followed.

3. A LIMS really is a Product Quality Tool

Product quality can be automatically checked and managed within a LIMS. In fact, it is not uncommon for the LIMS to be the tool that manages product or batch releases. Some examples of how your LIMS can be your Product Quality Tool include:

• Managing product specifications and testing limits
• Automating specification checking and implementing review by exception
• Using trending to prevent Out Of Specification (OOS) events
• Automating the inspection of incoming raw materials

When integrated with your quality management system (QMS) your LIMS can seamlessly pass information from one system to another, further improving your regulatory compliance.

What is a LIMS to a R&D lab?

A LIMS can be many things in a R&D lab depending on the industry and how the LIMS was implemented. Some examples of what a LIMS really is in a R&D lab include:

1. A data and information hub
2. An information access, sharing, and collaboration tool
3. A core lab testing and results gateway

1. A LIMS really is a Data and Information Hub

Centralizing and organizing your research and development data and information is critical to the success of your R&D efforts. A LIMS can be implemented in such a way that it will become your data and information hub. This can be accomplished by:

• Recording all results in the LIMS
  • Manual data entry may still be necessary for some tests. Optimize manual entry using data entry grids, so that all information can be added in one screen.
• Interfacing your instruments to the LIMS
• Linking raw data files to experiments or samples/tests in LIMS
• Enabling data review and better lab data management with notifications, status updates, and automated data population based on results
• Interfacing the LIMS to instruments and other laboratory data and information systems (a chromatography data system (CDS), robotics platforms, imaging systems, biorepositories, etc.)

2. A LIMS really is an Information Access, Sharing and Collaboration Tool

Supporting information sharing and collaboration is critical to today’s research and development methodologies. The features and capabilities within your LIMS will facilitate, yet control, information access, sharing, and collaboration. Some of the ways this can be done include:

• LIMS security
  • Access to LIMS functions by role
  • Access to data and information by
    • Experiment
    • Group
    • Role
• Exporting LIMS data to a dashboard for data visualization
• LIMS ad-hoc data queries and reporting

3. A LIMS really is a Core Lab Testing & Results Gateway

The recent reorganization of R&D has driven the creation of a variety of specialized core labs where expertise with complex, high-end instruments and analyses has been centralized. The LIMS used in this environment will act as the testing and results gateway by:

• Streamlining the sample and testing request process for the researchers
• Providing sample and testing status automatically or on demand
• Supporting core lab instrument reservations and scheduling
• Automatically delivering results reports or notifications to fetch reports

A LIMS will be different things depending on your goals, your lab type, and your industry. There is no wrong answer. 

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Have you figured out what your LIMS really is, for you and your organization? If not, we can help you define it.