In the years since this blog was first authored, not only have the number of instrument types increased, but also the number of options for interfacing. And yet, the more things change, the more they stay the same. It's still shocking when reviewing laboratory information management system (LIMS) survey results to find that some implementations go live without interfacing all the lab instruments with the system.

Instrument integration remains one of the biggest sources of unrealized efficiency gains in the field of laboratory informatics. Why is it not a priority? The answers vary, but include the following:

We plan to, in the next phase of the LIMS implementation
We had to get the management reports done first
We felt it would cost too much to interface the instruments
We felt that cutting and pasting instrument data files was good enough

All these reasons for not interfacing the instruments to the LIMS may seem reasonable, but there are more compelling reasons to interface every possible instrument in your laboratory to your LIMS or a data exchange platform. Before we dig into those reasons, let's explore the possibilities for interfacing.

Types of Instruments that can be Interfaced

Instruments fall into three major categories: simple, unidirectional, and bidirectional instruments.

Simple instruments

These types of instruments (balances, microscopes, ovens, etc.) can output a result but no real metadata (e.g., sampleID, testID, test parameters) to enable unassisted interfacing. Interestingly, these simple instruments are sometimes the most challenging to interface.

Uni-directional instruments

These types of instruments (thermogravimetric analyzers, strain meters, etc.) can output a data report and results file but do not have a facility to import information. The metadata needed to allow unassisted interfacing is available in the output files.

Bi-directional instruments

These types of instruments include chromatographs and robotic systems like plate readers that can not only output data reports and results files but also have an Application Programming Interface (API) to import data, information, protocols, worklists, commands/function calls, etc. Many are equipped with their own instrument data system (like a CDS) that can be interfaced directly to the LIMS or platforms. Robotic systems can interact with these systems to receive instructions and report results. They may use proprietary communication protocols and require sophisticated interfacing to synchronize activities with the LIMS.

Additional instrument categories

Beyond the three major categories of instruments mentioned, there are other types of instruments that can be interfaced with LIMS or platforms. These instruments may have different capabilities and interfacing requirements.

• Cloud-based Instruments: These instruments upload data to a cloud platform, from which the LIMS can retrieve the data. This can be facilitated through web APIs or data synchronization services.

• Digital Microscopes and Imaging Systems: These systems capture images and may include image analysis software. They can interface with LIMS or a platform to store image data and analysis results, often using image file formats (JPG, TIFF) and metadata files.

Why Interface Your Instruments

There are many reasons to interface your instruments, depending on your objectives and your architecture. Below is a list of key reasons, in no particular order.

Increase Productivity and Effectiveness

Increasing lab productivity and scientist effectiveness especially if your instruments require significant manipulation prior to the result entry in LIMS. Removing manual data entry, or even the cutting and pasting of data from the instrument to the LIMS, saves considerable time and effort and improves laboratory data management.

Using a bidirectional interface eliminates the time required to enter the run information, parameters, etc., into the instrument system. This can all be set up in your LIMS and then transferred electronically to the instrument. If interfacing to a platform the bidirectional communication is between LIMS–Platform and Platform–Instrument, but the end point is the same - bidirectional communication between LIMS and the instrument.

Increase Data Quality and Data Integrity

Removing the human element from the data transfer and entry process eliminates errors. This produces more accurate results and reliable data, which are critical for research validity and regulatory compliance. Interfacing instruments with LIMS or a platform ensures that data is consistently formatted and adheres to predefined standards.

Automated transformation of data can be set to occur on transfer. This uniformity helps to ensure that data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) and enables comparison, reporting, and long-term data integrity. Consistent data formatting also facilitates easier integration with other systems and databases.

Increase User Satisfaction and LIMS Adoption

One of the complaints often raised when a LIMS is implemented is that there was not much in the LIMS that helped lab staff with their job. In fact, they will sometimes complain that the LIMS has added to their workload. A good way to increase LIMS users' satisfaction is to interface the lab instruments to the LIMS.

Interfacing instruments with LIMS represents a significant improvement in your lab staff's work processes and saves them time and annoyance. Not only will interfacing the instruments increase their LIMS satisfaction, but it will also increase user adoption. Once the scientists can see that the LIMS makes them more efficient, they will be more likely to fully use it. You will also be surprised at the number of requests for additional functionality you will receive.

With instrument interfacing, laboratory managers and technicians can remotely monitor and manage instrument performance and data. This capability is particularly useful for labs with geographically dispersed operations or those implementing remote work policies. Real-time data transfer between instruments and LIMS allows for continuous monitoring of lab operations. This capability enables immediate detection of issues and automated alerts, facilitating quick corrective actions and minimizing downtime.

Improve Data Accessibility and Sharing

When instruments are interfaced with LIMS or a platform, data becomes more accessible to different departments and stakeholders. This enhances collaboration and enables better decision making based on real-time data. Researchers, analysts, and managers can access comprehensive datasets without the need for multiple entry points.

Facilitate Advanced Data Analytics

Interfaced instruments provide a seamless flow of data into the LIMS or platform, enabling the use of advanced analytics tools to gain deeper insights. Machine learning algorithms and statistical analysis can be applied to large datasets, uncovering trends, anomalies, and patterns that might not be apparent through manual data handling.

Support Scalability and Growth

As laboratories grow and add new instruments or expand their testing capabilities, having an established LIMS or platform interfacing protocol ensures that new instruments can be seamlessly added. This scalability supports the laboratory's growth and evolving needs without major disruptions to existing workflows.

The additional benefits gained by interfacing instruments to LIMS enable laboratories to significantly enhance their operational efficiency, data integrity, and overall effectiveness. If full instrument interfacing with your LIMS or laboratory informatics system has not been achieved, what are you waiting for? The expense you'll incur to get the work done will pay for itself within a few quarters.

Have you interfaced your lab instruments with your LIMS? What types of interfaces are you running?