Laboratory management in educational institutions, especially universities, is a complex task that involves handling a vast array of student experiments, research projects, and data collection. As academic labs grow in size and
sophistication, the traditional methods of managing lab workflows, student data, and experiments often become inefficient.
Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development Efficiency
The global LIMS market is expected to continue expanding significantly, with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries being key contributors to this growth.
Do you know recent estimates, that in 2024, the global LIMS market is valued at around USD 2.2–2.5 billion. The
market is projected to grow at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 7-9% from 2025 to 2030.
Did you know that in 2022, 35% of businesses adopted AI, marking a 4% increase from 2021? By the end of 2023, this growth rate has become even more pronounced. India’s AI adoption index score for 2024 is 2.47 on a 4-point scale, up from 2.45 in 2022, with 87% of companies falling between the Enthusiast and Expert stages of AI adoption.
As Quality laboratories around the world continually evolve in complexity and technology, the volume of data they need to manage has also become vast. This is where LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) comes into play. Most of
the managements would agree on the importance of investing in LIMS.
From Paper To Precision : Embracing LIMS For Laboratory Excellence
Due to disadvantages like lack of storage space, security issues, prone to damage, document transportation,
editing problems, high cost, limited communication and collaboration, and environmental damage. The reliance on tracing information and the time required
to sift through documents to find data can significantly affect the productivity of lab operations.
As Industries continue to evolve and grow, the need for efficient and effective laboratory management has become increasingly important. Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) have emerged as a crucial tool for industries to streamline their laboratory operations, improve productivity, and drive innovation. In this blog, we will explore the benefits of LIMS for industry professionals and highlight its key features and applications.
Master Data Management: The Key to Modern Laboratory Success
In the world of laboratory science, accuracy and consistency are non-negotiable. At Revol, we know that managing data effectively is the backbone of reliable and efficient lab operations. That’s why we’re passionate about Master Data Management (MDM).
Quality Control Information Management: Chaos to Precision with Revol LIMS
Are you overwhelmed by the complexity of data in your laboratory and struggling to improve productivity?
In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, quality laboratories play a pivotal role in ensuring product excellence.
In the ever-evolving landscape of laboratory operations quality management stands as the
cornerstone of success. Laboratories are tasked with not only delivering accurate and reliable
results but also adhering to stringent regulatory requirements and meeting customer
expectations.
Automating and Streamlining Stability Testing Challenges with Revol LIMS
Stability testing is a vital part of ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of pharmaceutical and food products. However, stability testing can be challenging, especially for complex and sensitive products that require specific storage and handling conditions. In this blog post, we will explore how Revol LIMS Stability Study Module helps various labs in the pharmaceutical and food industries to overcome the common challenges of stability testing and improve their efficiency, compliance, and reliability.
Optimizing Asset Management with Revol LIMS for Enhanced Efficiency
In today’s fast-paced business environment, effective asset management is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and achieving long-term success. The challenges of managing a vast array of assets can be daunting, but with the advent of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), organizations can now streamline their processes and ensure seamless asset management.
How Revol LIMS Can Optimize Your Laboratory Operations
Laboratories are complex environments requiring careful data management, processes, and resources. One of the most critical aspects of laboratory management is ensuring the quality and consistency of the standards and reagents used in various tests and analysis.
Studying DNA in the dynamic world of life science and genetics has led to groundbreaking discoveries, reshaping medicine and our understanding of life itself. At the heart of this scientific revolution is Revol LIMS, a cutting-edge web-based Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) software designed to empower researchers and laboratories.
Achieving Compliance & Efficiency in Your Stability Testing Process
Stability studies are essential for ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of pharmaceutical products throughout their shelf life. However, conducting stability studies can be challenging, especially when dealing with multiple batches, environmental conditions, testing protocols, and regulatory requirements.
How Additive Manufacturing and Precision Medicine are Shaping the Future of Pharma
The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a radical transformation as new technologies such as Additive Manufacturing (AM) and Precision Medicine (PM) are creating new possibilities and challenges for drug development and delivery.
In the dynamic world of scientific research and laboratory operations, having an efficient and reliable laboratory information management system (LIMS) is paramount. Traditional LIMS solutions often come with a host of challenges, including upfront costs, hardware requirements, licensing fees, and ongoing maintenance and support costs.
The Crucial Role of Laboratory Information Management Systems
Welcome to the era of Industry 4.0, where groundbreaking technologies are reshaping industries and propelling laboratories into a new era of possibilities. Amid this transformative wave, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) stand as the unsung heroes, empowering laboratories to harness the full potential of Industry 4.0.
In today's fast-paced and highly regulated lab environments, ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation is a hallmark of quality and competence. As laboratories strive to meet the rigorous requirements of this international standard, the need for an efficient Laboratory Information Management System becomes paramount.
In the Food and Beverage Industry, maintaining quality control is of utmost importance. With the increasing demand for high-quality products, it has become essential to streamline the quality control process to ensure consistent and safe products for consumers.
The oil and gas industry is a fast-paced, high-stakes environment where efficiency and accuracy are paramount. With the ever-evolving regulatory landscape, maintaining compliance and ensuring quality control are becoming increasingly challenging. That's where a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) comes in.
In the world of scientific research and analysis, adhering to good laboratory practices (GLP) is essential for ensuring accurate and reliable results. From standardized operating procedures (SOPs) to rigorous quality control, laboratories strive to maintain the highest standards.
At the heart of every Research and Development (R&D) establishment, a torrent of data is continuously being generated. Like a proverbial treasure trove, this data holds immense potential for innovation and growth.
In today's rapidly evolving metals and mining industry, staying ahead of the competition requires efficient operations, adherence to strict regulations, and the ability to make data-driven decisions.
Choosing between building or buying a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is a crucial decision for labs. Many labs go through a progression in technology utilization before considering a LIMS. They often start with paper-based workflows and manual documentation, then move on to using spreadsheets for sample tracking and inventory management.
In the fast-paced world of commercial testing laboratories, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. To enhance quality control practices and elevate standards, laboratories are turning to innovative solutions like Revol LIMS.
Are you looking for a way to simplify your chemical lab processes, improve your data management capabilities, and ensure the accuracy and compliance of your products? Look no further than Revol LIMS, the Laboratory Information Management System of choice for the chemical industry.
Industries/Organizations which rely on digital technology and data storage are vulnerable to the growing threat of cybercrime. Each year, thousands of organizations fall victim to malware, ransomware, and other cyber-attacks – with hackers targeting every sector with indiscriminate efficiency, exploiting weaknesses in digital systems..
Lab Managers across various industries in the domain of sciences constantly face the expectation of optimizing operational expenditure while effectively managing or improving productivity. Most industries have adopted digital methods to manage the data reporting but also workflow management in their laboratories.
Inventory management in laboratories had been a manual exercise mostly. After advent of computers on the horizon books have transformed into spreadsheets and documents. This though has been a valuable improvement is still a good old register whose visibility is and will remain the domain of the inventory management process. Many in the industry would agree that a mistake in here will present challenges like inconsistent tracking, inaccurate data, limited visibility, complex supply chain, overstocking, loss of inventory etc.
The laboratory information/data management workflow protocols in most industries have been constantly transforming over the past two decades. Industries saw an increasing need to ensure accuracy in terms of processes/procedure adherence and data integrity has become important not just because of the respective regulatory stringencies but also because they have realized it enabled them manage laboratory associated risks better while facilitating consistency in terms of operational efficiencies and cost effectiveness.
Technology advancement has led to hike in data volumes in modernized laboratories. This data excess is a time for enhancing innovation and granting for timely and efficient decisions. However, huge amounts of data can lead to new challenges. This is true especially for data management and processing.
Laboratories are generally depicted in media and movies as that they are filled with the current technology and make use of broad automation. But, yet several laboratories are using paper notebooks and excel spreadsheets to store and manage their data. When you are working in a laboratory that can relate, have you ever considered about implementing a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)? Laboratories that switch from excel to LIMS benefit in many ways.
To invoke compliance with industry standards, regulators are consistently rising inspection into labs and testing environments, including chemical, pharmaceutical, healthcare life science, forensic, environmental and testing & calibration industries. A Non-compliance in audit findings may lead to severe consequences as loss of accreditation or even termination.
A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is a software-based solution which supports modern laboratory operations that allows you to maintain samples and data to boost lab productivity. Flexible architecture and data tracking support are its key feature. LIMS or Laboratory Information System aspects have expanded over the years from tracking to enterprise resource planning that handles numerous features of laboratory informatics.
Implementing a sound quality system and indicates that they are technically efficient and capable to produce accurate and reliable results, sampling or calibration laboratory should pass through the process of accreditation. Here comes the requirement for a company to show conformity to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.
A Laboratory Information Management System has dramatically replaced the lab operations over the last few years. The need for a practical system for managing a laboratory was more ever as the revolution of labs from a shady corner to the ‘center of excellence’ they are today.
The Emergence of technology has drastically changed lab operations. A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) has been an empowering factor of such change, changing manual lab activities to programming oversaw work processes and systems.
The Emergence of technology has drastically changed lab operations. A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) has been an empowering factor of such change, changing manual lab activities to programming oversaw work processes and systems.
This transformation wipe out the demand for manly recording the data with paper notebooks and spreadsheets, by that making laboratories more efficient.
An Introduction to LIMS
A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is a software-based solution that effectively manage the current complex aspects of a laboratory processes.
As the name suggests, a LIMS is used for managing lab samples, their associated data and therefore it normalize the laboratory processes by sustaining workflows, tests, and reporting practises. With the expanding demand of laboratories, the conventional LIMS too has matured, with the able to do more than a decent tracking of samples.
The ultimate aspect of a LIMS is to boost the productivity of the laboratory by automating and streamlining the functions by meeting regulatory guidelines.
A better LIMS simplifies both easy recordkeeping and reporting, hence ignores endanger of human flaws and improving the total turnaround time.
Role of a LIMS
The major role that LIMS plays in a laboratory is to increase the operational efficiency of the laboratory by automating and streamlining the workflows, eliminating the need for maintaining information manually and meeting regulatory guidelines. A quality LIMS ease both record keeping and reporting, therefore get rid of the risks of human mistakes and enhancing the overall turnaround time.
Key Features of a LIMS
As stated above, a quality LIMS stabilizes both record keeping as well as report generation. Some of the key features of a LIMS include:
Sample Management
One of the most important tasks of a LIMS is sample management. An LIMS keeps detailed and accurate records of each sample and securely stores them, lowering the risk of data being lost or mixed up as it moves between workers and departments.
As you record the first sample, the system will create a comprehensive record that includes the following information:
Person who recorded the sample
Type of the sample
Researchers working on the project
Current Process Part
Where it go Next
Relevant dates and Storage area
Inventory Management
This function of LIMS is a necessary part of every laboratory’s day to day managing of stock supplies and reagents. Keeping detailed and up-to-date information about your equipment and notifying when any equipment requires upgrade or maintenance also comes along with LIMS.
Test Management
A LIMS helps normalize testing workflows while providing complete and accurate control of the testing process. A LIMS allows you to control the test performed on the batch of samples, allows easy entry of the results, tracking approval/validation of results, and generation of reports. Also, it allows you to manage test analysis and allocate tests to particular LIMS users.
Asset Management
A LIMS feature which helps to track and maintain all the assets within a laboratory and ensure minimal disruption to processes, therefore it strengthens overall lab strategy and management. Thus, the utilization of different instrument types can be improvised.
Instrument Integration
Present day LIMS offers integration with laboratory instruments and applications. This makes the laboratory functions more responsive and productive when it is integrated with other systems and applications in the laboratory environment.
Reporting
The critical function of LIMS which helps users to get a better understanding of the data they've gathered and future patterns and offers the ability to customize reports in several ways. The custom reporting include custom headers, custom information placement (such as branding), charts, pivot tables, and multiple output formats and so on.
Industries that use LIMS
Today, modernized LIMS exist nearly for every type of laboratories. Take a look at the major sectors that can benefit from employing LIMS software.
Clinical research
Contract laboratories
Metallurgy and mining
Oil and gas
Food
Forensic examination
Pharmaceuticals
Chemical industry
Ecology Biotech, bio repositories
Research institutes
Manufacturing
Cosmetic industry
Conclusion
Industries listed above are growing with time to time and the challenges are also arising in the path of these industries to manage data are endless. For such type of data management the solution is a Laboratory Information Management System. LIMS systems like REVOLLIMS enable laboratories to coordinate sample monitoring, workflow support, data processing, collaboration opportunities and everything else in a single affordable solution. That’s why REVOL LIMS is called a single solution for the entire lab.
Want to learn more about our REVOL LIMS? Check out by a REVOL LIMS demo to explore its features yourself.
A Laboratory Information Management System has dramatically replaced the lab operations over the last few years. The need for a practical system for managing a laboratory was more ever as the revolution of labs from a shady corner to the ‘center of excellence’ they are today. Although the basic facilities like testing are done under the watchful eye of an experienced laboratory professionals, the laboratory information management system (LIMS) have transformed all other aspects in the performance of the lab.
Earlier a Laboratory Information Management System acts as a solution to the errors caused due to the manual interference and human administration or data entry issues. But, Today LIMS have taken a far more than that of a solution to manual errors. Literally, the one of the massive benefits of laboratory information management system has been the number of data that is being processed. Because, earlier the test and report performs by a lab is countable by hand but, today the labs are performing 10 times more than of the earlier numbers. The best point to note down here is that all of these are error free reports because of automation.
Below we indicated few other ways how a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) revolutionize the core workflows of a lab.
Increased Efficiency, Productivity & Accuracy
A Laboratory Information Management System increases throughput and ensures data integrity through
Automating and streamlining of workflows.
Global Accessibility
A Laboratory Information Management System allows any authorized laboratory user or stakeholder can view laboratory data, on any device from anywhere like access key metrics, complete graphical representations and more.
Enhanced Staff Performance
Most of the normal day to day tasks can be accomplished through the click of a button with the use of a Laboratory Information Management System. This provides increased time for lab technicians to engage in other responsibilities.
Clear-cut Results
A Laboratory Information Management System is one of the important way which helps laboratories to achieve error free reports and results by eliminating the usual human errors. Automation allows reduced human intervention to the laboratory process – thus the system is no longer prone to stress, mistakes, wrong training etc. of the employee.
Complete Regulatory Compliance
Maintaining a read-only audit trail to comply with the regulatory guidelines is a most important advantage a Laboratory Information Management System offer to a laboratory. Also, a Laboratory Information Management System automatically records all laboratory activities like the personnel who involved in the work with a date and time stamp. A Laboratory Information Management System also enables laboratories to authenticate key laboratory activities using electronic signatures, thereby complying with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and 21 CFR PART 11 guidelines.
Immense Configurability
As a modernized digital machine, Laboratory Information Management System is configurable to meet the needs of organizations of any industry. This includes food & beverage, agriculture, Clinical research, Contract laboratories, Metallurgy and mining, Oil and gas, Forensic examination, Pharmaceuticals, Chemical industry, Ecology Biotech, bio repositories, Research institutes Manufacturing, Cosmetic industry and so on.
Conclusion
However, to improvise and mitigate the hazards of the digital age, an organization should take advantage of the benefits of LIMS, by implementing an up-to-date digital system. For implementing such type of digital system the solution is a Laboratory Information Management System like REVOLLIMS which empower and enhance your laboratory through a wide range of critical areas in a single affordable solution. That’s why REVOL LIMS is called a single solution for the entire lab.
Want to learn more about our REVOL LIMS? Check out by a REVOL LIMS demo by mailing us at sales@revolsolutions.com to explore its features yourself.
Implementing a sound quality system and indicates that they are technically efficient and capable to produce accurate and reliable results, sampling or calibration laboratory should pass through the process of accreditation. Here comes the requirement for a company to show conformity to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.
ISO/IEC 17025 is handy for any organization that engaged in testing, sampling or calibration and requires reliable results. This covers all types of laboratories whether they be private and operated by government, industry or literally any other organization. The standard is still useful to universities, research centres, governments, regulators, inspection bodies, product certification organizations and other conformity assessment bodies with the need to do testing, sampling or calibration.
WHY ISO/IEC 17025 REVISED?
Market conditions and technology have changed after the last version of ISO/IEC 17025 was published in 2005. With these technical changes, vocabulary and developments in IT techniques takes into consideration and the new version was officially published on November 30th of 2017. It also takes into consideration of the latest version of ISO 9001.
Benefits of ISO/IEC 17025:2017
ISO/IEC 17025 compliance laboratory benefits in the following ways.
Global Prominence
When your laboratory become accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017, shows that it has high standards, putting it above competitors and able to win a great reputation. Moreover, this will help to lift the lab’s reputation not only locally, though nationally and internationally.
Standardized Access
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requires laboratories to take a standardized access to their activities. Therefore, this aids to keep lab protocols in place.
Enhanced Lab Testing Environment
Valid and relevant test methods under specified lab environment results in further accurate outcomes. This assures quality to your laboratory, and also for your customers. The standard also has strict protocols for instruments and equipment, which reduce repairs and defect levels.
Improved Customer Satisfaction
ISO/IEC 17025 requirements assures that your lab is operating efficiently, consistently and committed in providing the perfect results, and maintaining customer satisfaction. Thus, Laboratories will achieve trust of their clients effortlessly as the ISO is a universally accepted standard.
Documentation
ISO/IEC 17025 desires appropriate documentation of complete processes, modifications made, failures or errors and helps in reducing issues, affording stability and enhanced results for the laboratory. Also, the staff becomes more accountable when the proper documentation is followed.
Cutback Costs
The strict guidelines in ISO/IEC 17025:2017 laboratories requires careful monitoring of results. Obtaining accurate and precise results cutback the laboratory operational costs. Overall, the standard creates guidelines to bring control over lab operations and so runs the operational costs down.
Conclusion
Thus, ISO/IEC 17025 is by far the primary international standard for establishing laboratory competence and quality. It also simplifies the cooperation between laboratories and other bodies by generating broad acceptance of results between organizations and countries. Moreover, achieving ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation might be challenging at times, but one can always utilize by implementing the right training and tool as Revol LIMS to win over the obstacles and reap the benefits of being an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory. While using Revol LIMS you will have a cutting edge compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 practices.
Want to learn more about our REVOL LIMS? Check out by a REVOL LIMS demo by mailing us at sales@revolsolutions.com to explore its features yourself.
A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is a software-based solution which supports modern laboratory operations that allows you to maintain samples and data to boost lab productivity. Flexible architecture and data tracking support are its key feature. LIMS or Laboratory Information System aspects have expanded over the years from tracking to enterprise resource planning that handles numerous features of laboratory informatics.
In the evolution of fourth generation, several organizations wishes to enhance or customize their LIMS to safeguard optimum interoperability with the overall corporate Information System framework. Now, selecting the best LIMS architecture for an organization has increased more critical than the successful LIMS implementation and maintenance.
With this post, we will help you in choosing a cost effective laboratory information management system (LIMS).
Functionality Requirements
Considering the requirements of your laboratory systems is the absolute important principle for choosing the right type of LIMS. It is an important thing to check that the software completely meet the needs of the laboratory before investing in LIMS software by any vendor. Some of the functional requirements that need to be checked in a LIMS includes Test scheduling, Sample collection methods, Sample Tracking, Instrument control, Report generation, Quality control, result publishing method. Once these things are evaluated your functional requirements will get clear cut view for the best suitable LIMS purchase.
User Friendliness
Considering the User-friendliness of the LIMS is another important principle for choosing the right type of LIMS. Some of the characteristics which will help you judge everything you roll out to your internal users such as Simple installation or implementation, easy to update, good graphical user interface, easy navigation, easy for anyone to use who are not much computer-savvy.
Compliance
A LIMS software which complies with the latest regulations and guidelines is another important principle for choosing the right type of LIMS. A Non-compliance LIMS can lead to several internal and external costs and can also spoil the reputation of the company due to product failure. Hence, ensuring the proper functioning of the software, helping laboratories remain aligned with the regulatory requirements, industry standards, and best practices.
Automation
Choosing a LIMS which is able to automate manual processes, procedures, and tasks guidelines is another important principle for choosing the right type of LIMS. The stuffs need to be checked in an automated LIMS includes laboratory instrument automation, systems integration and automation, laboratory workflow automation, testing limits automation, report automation and so on.
24/7 Support System
When choosing a LIMS software, make sure you are provided with 24/7 support facilities. When you face any problems with the LIMS software, it is very important to provide support for the system and helps to recover from the initial hiccups and support for the system upgrades.
Conclusion
Finally, it's simple to consider what you require now that you have all of the information. The most difficult part is imagining what you will require in the future. Keeping the larger picture in mind can assist you in making the best choices. This is where it can be helpful to invest in a LIMS that offers not only solid, out of the box functionality like Revol LIMS which is preconfigured in advance, to meet the demands of the petroleum, chemical, pharmaceutical, healthcare life science, forensic, environmental and testing & calibration industries and to ensure a smooth ride in operations by handling time efficiently and increasing the productivity there by reducing the cost of implementation and simultaneously increasing the productivity and hence saving time.
Want to learn more about our REVOL LIMS? Check out by a REVOL LIMS demo by mailing us at sales@revolsolutions.com to explore its features yourself.
To invoke compliance with industry standards, regulators are consistently rising inspection into labs and testing environments, including chemical, pharmaceutical, healthcare life science, forensic, environmental and testing & calibration industries. A Non-compliance in audit findings may lead to severe consequences as loss of accreditation or even termination.
Implementing a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) software helps in resolve or even get ahead of this by automating laboratory processes and documentation but also with compliance and data management.
Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) software offers control, manage, organise, document, analyse and report information and tools that are tailored to make sure of proper information is captured and reported to meet the strict regulatory expectations.
Based on the industry the regulatory requirements changes, in which most generally familiar including ISO/IEC 17025:2017, GLP, HIPAA, EU GDPR, 21 CFR Part 11, CLIA, ISO 15189:2012, ISO 20387, GCP, GLP, FSMA, HACCP, and ISBER Best Practices.
The Lab managers should first observe the data integrity, focussed functionality and validation processes of a LIMS software, adherence to the latest standards and drives compliance and efficiency line up with the laboratory’s need.
Features of LIMS that drive Compliance
The following three aspects of a LIMS helps laboratories comply with the regulatory guidelines and best practices.
Organization
A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is a web based application built around a centralized database which records and manages laboratory data and makes the data easily accessible includes sample data, test results, certificates of analysis (CoA), standard operating procedures (SOPs), study data, sample processing and storage data, workflows, and instruments associated with them. This not only allows a laboratory to remain organized, but also facilitates efficiency, transparency and compliance.
Visualization
A LIMS helps lab managers and any other concerned lab members to report on sample testing and usage, and recommend optimizations where needed. The use of barcodes in LIMS attached to individual samples provides complete traceability throughout the sample life cycle and the electronically collected sample data makes it easy to compose into reports. A LIMS also make it clear to set and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), and to attain a clear cut view of laboratory processes.
Automation
A LIMS software grants to capture more details than capturing manually and maintains the data accuracy, by integrating with lab instruments and software. A Perfect LIMS takes things a step forward by flagging any items that fail specifications and avoids transcription errors completely because of automatic documentation.
Conclusion
Top LIMS software providers working hard to assure compliance with regulatory best practices and guidelines for maintaining data integrity. By aiding with organization, visualization, automation and following the principles and best practices outlined by ISO/IEC 17025:2017, GLP, 21 CFR Part 11 LIMS software such as Revol LIMS can render compliance routine for any laboratory including chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, healthcare, life science, forensic, environmental, testing & calibration industries.
Want to learn more about our REVOL LIMS? Check out by a REVOL LIMS demo by mailing us at sales@revolsolutions.com to explore its features yourself.
EXCEL OR LIMS? ADVANTAGES OF SWITCHING FROM EXCEL TO LIMS
Laboratories are generally depicted in media and movies as that they are filled with the current technology and make use of broad automation. But, yet several laboratories are using paper notebooks and excel spreadsheets to store and manage their data. When you are working in a laboratory that can relate, have you ever considered about implementing a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)? Laboratories that switch from excel to LIMS benefit in many ways.
STREAMLINE PROCESS
Laboratories often feel that they can manage their lab works with paper notebooks efficiently. While the laboratory processes become even more complex, paper becomes an increasing burden. Transcribing data by hand from instruments to notebook, calculations must be performed by hand or using excel spreadsheets, correlating analytical results against limits. Checking and approving entered data, the performed calculations to be done manually and will require further transcribing of data, providing the process to further potential errors.
A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) could streamline and automate many of these manual tasks by reducing time to release of results and improving the quality of those results. Rather chasing down notebooks for review, managers can log in from any location to review, validate and approve test results. Moreover, when using a LIMS all data is held within a single database the data from any sample or batch can be instantly recalled, rather than going through multiple notebooks or spreadsheets to find the data you need. Customers who move from Excel to LIMS often report that the time saving due to streamlined processes saves so much laboratory time and resources.
INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY
The scope and level of productivity in a laboratory is dependent on various factors. This could be from the number of trained analysts to the available equipment. One of the most important intention of the several Lab Managers is maximizing the use of the resources currently available. While spreadsheets are used to manage laboratory data, it can become extremely time consuming to manipulate the data, extracting the useful analytics and in finding the opportunity areas.
Using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) automates the administrative work that supports sample analysis. Cases like allocating tests for batch release testing can easily be automated. By loading this information into your LIMS and validating this function, each time a sample is booked in for batch release testing of this product, you have confidence that the right tests are allocated reducing the administrative need to double check each time. The more administrative tasks you automate, the more time your analysts can spend on testing samples which in turn helps you increase overall productivity.
SECURITY AND TRACEABILITY
Documents in excel are not fully controlled. We can protect excel spreadsheets by locking and password. But when we committed on various people to input data, there is a possibility in corruption of lab data. When the data got corrupted in excel, there is no way to trace that when the corruptions done and which user did it. Enforcing a lock in excel spreadsheets also makes frustration as a single user editing.
Using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) takes the total frustrations aside. Login authentication using a Two Factor Authentication process of passwords and OTPs. Data is accessed only by authorized personnel. Data is backed up for protection against thefts and physical damages. The servers on which the data is stored has firewalls, intruder detection, and has encryption to protect data in case of a breach. You know who, when the modifications and deletions in the audit trail are done. With permissions, you can control the level of access to the system for each users.
Conclusion
An Excel Spreadsheet was not designed to act as a LIMS and is not a good long-term solution to manage your entire lab operations. If you recognize the issues of working in a paper-based laboratory or using spreadsheets, laboratory with LIMS equivalent as Revol LIMS stays ahead of its competition by performing efficiently, more reliably and accurately, and fulfilling all local and state regulatory requirements as well.
To learn more about Laboratory Information Management Systems and how Revol LIMS can benefit your lab, contact us today.
Benefits of Integrating Laboratory Instruments with LIMS
Technology advancement has led to hike in data volumes in modernized laboratories. This data excess is a time for enhancing innovation and granting for timely and efficient decisions. However, huge amounts of data can lead to new challenges. This is true especially for data management and processing.
In order to meet the threat of turning this data into knowledge, laboratories are looking to automate and integrate lab activities and procedures as much as possible the solution is Integrating laboratory instruments with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
Instruments that are commonly integrated with LIMS in laboratories include GC, GCMS, HPLC, LCMS, ICP, Particle Counters, DNA Sequencers, Balances, Titrators, and AA Analyzers.
Benefits of Instrument Integration
The numerous benefits that laboratory can gain from instrument integration comprising:
Productivity and Operation Efficiency
LIMS integration increase operating productivity with efficient analytical and resource planning data handling. Without the requirement of doing manual transcription or transferring data from the instrument to LIMS, a scientist can save even more time. This can improve overall productivity for the lab.
Data Quality and Integrity
Automating laboratory with instrument integration maintain data integrity and reducing data redundancies across multiple systems. Thus, instrument integration with LIMS can lead to better data quality and integrity.
Ease Data Transfer
Integrating LIMS with Laboratory Instruments Facilitate data transfer in the laboratory and information sharing throughout the enterprise including food & beverage, agriculture, Clinical research, Contract laboratories, Metallurgy and mining, Oil and gas, Forensic examination, Pharmaceuticals, Chemical industry, Ecology Biotech, bio repositories, Research institutes Manufacturing, Cosmetic industry and so on.
Increased Competitiveness
Laboratory Instruments Integration with LIMS enhances overall competitiveness through improved collaboration and information management. Also gives better controls over the flow of each task and much more with the integrated LIMS.
Opportunity for modernization
With Instrument Integration keeps away the scientists from time consuming tasks like data transcription, which provides more time to focus on work that leads to innovation. Moreover, Instrument Integration offers better error handling and data flow which further increase space for innovation.
Conclusion
In recent years we have seen the development of new tools and technologies in the laboratory informatics area where rates instrument integration is crucial and a key factor in boosting productivity, efficiency, data integrity and innovation in your laboratory environment. Indeed, LIMS like Revol LIMS have several tools available to ease interfacing instruments with Revol LIMS. Using Revol Interface to LIMS which helps to improve your organization’s LIMS adoption and utilization rates.
To learn more about Laboratory Information Management Systems and how Revol LIMS can benefit your lab, contact us today.
