What Makes a LIMS?

Brett Saremba

Brett Saremba

— 2 min read

Not all LIMS are the same. 

Some features are so important that, without them, the system wouldn’t work properly. Here are the key features that, if taken away, would make a LIMS useless.

1. Sample Tracking

The most important job of a LIMS is to track samples. This means keeping track of each sample from the time it enters the lab until the results are ready. If a LIMS can’t do this, it’s impossible to know where samples are or what has been done to them. Without sample tracking, things can easily get mixed up or lost, making the whole system unreliable.

Red Flags:

  • The system doesn’t assign unique IDs to samples or struggles with duplication.
  • It’s difficult to trace a sample’s history, making it hard to see where it’s been or what’s been done to it.
  • Data gaps or missing records for certain steps in the sample’s lifecycle.
  • The interface is confusing or makes it hard to quickly locate samples.

2. Workflow Automation

Labs depend on a step-by-step process to do their work. A LIMS helps by automating these steps, so everything is done in the right order without missing any steps. If this feature is taken away, labs would have to rely on people to remember each step, which leads to mistakes and slows everything down. Without this, a LIMS wouldn’t help labs run smoothly.

Red Flags:

  • The system doesn’t allow for customizable workflows to match the lab’s specific processes.
  • Manual intervention is still required for key steps, defeating the purpose of automation.
  • Frequent errors or breakdowns in the workflow automation, requiring troubleshooting.
  • The system doesn’t handle exceptions or deviations well, causing bottlenecks.

3. Instrument Integration

Labs use lots of machines to test samples. A LIMS connects with these machines to automatically collect data. If this feature is removed, people would have to enter data by hand, which takes a lot of time and can cause mistakes. Without instrument integration, the LIMS wouldn’t be helpful in saving time or reducing errors.

Red Flags:

  • The system cannot integrate with key instruments in your lab or only supports a limited number of devices.
  • Data transfer delays between instruments and the system, leading to real-time data being unavailable.
  • Frequent errors in data capture, requiring manual entry or verification.
  • No support for calibration or maintenance tracking of instruments.

Vet Your LIMS with These Features

Because these features are so important, they are a great way to judge any LIMS you are thinking about buying. If a LIMS doesn’t do sample tracking, workflow automation, or instrument integration really well, it’s likely to have other problems too. You should see none of the red flags mentioned above.

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