LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) provides a helping hand in the laboratory. A machine does every minor but vital task, so you get to focus on the core functions. Automating lab procedures takes care of all the repetitive tasks so that scientists and lab analysts can focus on more important things, such as innovation and developing new experiments.
LIMS automation is popular because of its efficiency and accuracy. Machines can repeatedly perform the same tasks without making mistakes, which leads to more reliable and consistent results. Also, automation speeds things up, which allows you to stay ahead and innovate.
Enhancing lab efficiency and streamlining workflows
The science and technology sphere is rapidly evolving. To stay at the forefront, laboratories must ensure their operations are agile, efficient and accurate. Manual tasks can often prevent you from reaching this goal by challenging you with time-consuming processes and errors that can, in turn, lead to non-compliance and further legal consequences.
This is where Laboratory Information Management Software comes in. LIMS automates monotonous tasks that take up a lot of time, such as workflow scheduling, error monitoring, and quality checks, to help lab workers focus more on tasks that really matter.
Laboratory instrument automation
LIMS typically comes with instrument integration capabilities that allow your entire lab instrument system to be automated. Linking all your lab equipment to the LIMS means you will no longer have to key in the results manually. Instead, all the test results will be automatically transferred/shared with the LIMS and stored in the central repository. This makes the process less time-consuming and efficient while ensuring standardized results.
Systems integration and automation
LIMS connects with existing laboratory systems, such as instruments, databases and software, facilitating seamless communication.
When a scientist conducts tests using any of these instruments, LIMS collects and organizes all the data. Then, depending on workflows, it automatically sends the data to other necessary systems, such as databases or analysis software, without anyone having to transfer it manually.
Laboratory workflow automation
LIMS oversees a specimen’s journey from when a sample arrives at the lab to when results are reported. It serves as a central repository containing information about every process happening in a lab. Scientists and technicians can use LIMS to keep track of samples and all the essential information about them, such as where the specimen was collected from, what tests were done or need to be done, and who’s working on them. This helps keep everything organized and ensures that labs work smoothly and consistently without errors or delays.
Streamlining sample management
Labs often deal with huge volumes of samples for testing and researching. Without proper organization, researchers would find locating suitable samples for specific tests difficult, leading to wasted time, decreased productivity and mix-ups.
Sample tracking and inventory management
LIMS makes sample tracking and inventory management easier through barcode labeling. It uses barcodes to tag each sample with a unique ID. When the samples arrive, LIMS reads the barcodes to find out exactly what the sample is and where it needs to go. This helps labs track samples to ensure they’re stored properly and can be accessed when required, improving traceability and compliance.
Ensuring lab proficiency
Scientists and researchers should consistently practice their lab techniques and be taught new methods to be proficient in the lab. This will mean that they are less likely to make mistakes during experiments.
Automated training
LIMS helps with automating training in two different ways. Firstly, LIMS stores all the standardized training materials and assessments in a centralized platform. So, laboratory staff will easily be able to find and review training materials relevant to their roles and responsibilities. Secondly, LIMS automates assigning and tracking training progress, ensuring personnel complete necessary training based on schedules. Together, this contributes to efficient and reliable lab operations.
Automated instrument calibration & maintenance
With LIMS, you don’t have to manually track when instruments need to be calibrated or sent for maintenance. Instead, the system tracks each instrument’s calibration history and manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance. It then alerts you whenever calibration or maintenance is due. This automation not only saves time but also prevents expensive equipment failures.
Enhancing data integration and analysis
LIMS gathers raw data from multiple sources, including equipment, software and other systems, and turns it into valuable insights that researchers can use to identify patterns, trends or anomalies they might have otherwise missed. They can, therefore, make intelligent decisions that yield better results.
Automated calculations
LIMS uses pre-programmed algorithms and formulas to automate complex calculations, such as concentration conversions and statistical analyses. So, the scientist needs to input data into the LIMS, and it will automatically perform the calculations. This eliminates the possibility of manual errors if scientists were to perform these calculations by hand. Therefore, it generates precise and consistent results.
Automated testing limits
LIMS can be programmed to follow specific rules and guidelines for each test conducted in the lab. For instance, if a certain test should produce results within a particular range to be considered accurate, LIMS would automatically flag any result that falls outside that range. This ensures that the results are reliable and meet the quality control standards.
LIMS can also be configured to prevent irregular results from being reported if they don’t meet the set criteria. This further reduces the chances of human error and ensures that only reliable data is reported, contributing to the lab’s overall quality assurance efforts.
Automated review/approval
LIMS streamlines workflows and enforces standard operating procedures to automate the review and approval process for results. When results are entered into the system, it automatically checks each value against the laboratory’s protocols. LIMS can also be configured to comply with regulatory requirements by embedding validation checks and audit trails into the approval process. Together, these measures help labs maintain the integrity of data, efficiency and compliance.
Automated reporting
LIMS tracks all data from experiments and tests and automatically generates reports based on your chosen template. This saves time on administration. Furthermore, it’s possible to customize the templates so the reports look exactly as you want.
Discover Sapio LIMS
The dynamic nature of the laboratory market means that laboratories should constantly innovate and speed up their operations to stay ahead. By leveraging the advanced features of Sapio’s LIMS software, you can automate your lab processes to significantly increase productivity and consistency of results and reduce operating costs.
Contact us today to learn how LIMS can increase your lab’s competitiveness and long-term sustainability, or request a demo.
