How Does a LIMS Work?

Understand what a LIMS is and how it works to optimize your industrial laboratory’s operations. 

Having an agile, efficient, and easily controlled workflow is the goal of every laboratory, and as the quality control process becomes increasingly technology-driven, the search for a LIMS is happening all over the world.

Even so, understanding how this system works isn’t always straightforward.

That’s why in this article we’ll explain exactly how a LIMS works, and the difference it can make in your laboratory.

What is a LIMS?

A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is a system built around a centralized database of samples, results, workflows, and associated instruments.

By integrating information, instruments, and personnel, this software gives the laboratory optimized management, keeping all generated information in a single place.

This not only keeps a laboratory organized, but also makes efficiency, transparency, and compliance easier to achieve.

How a LIMS works: from intake to disposal

A LIMS makes it possible to track a sample’s entire lifecycle, from the moment it enters the laboratory until the moment it is disposed of, bringing together all pertinent information about it in a single system. In other words, the core reason for implementing and using a LIMS is to record, track, and report samples and scientific data in a structured, consistent manner.

By assigning a barcode to each sample, a LIMS makes it possible to scan the sample’s key lifecycle events, such as storage and use, ensuring accuracy and consistency in results.

With this high level of sample tracking and reporting, executing and applying best laboratory practices (GMP, GLP) becomes even easier.

Since the recording of certain data becomes automatic with a laboratory information management system, laboratories are able to pay closer attention to sample handling and use, and to optimize their processes, including training whenever needed.

And better sample maintenance and handling means more reliable tests and results.

In other words, the LIMS monitors the sample’s entire path through the laboratory and therefore holds the information needed for reporting, decision-making, and audits, as well as ensuring quality control.

Check out: LIMS: 7 benefits that can transform your laboratory’s management 

Why use a LIMS?

Without a laboratory management system, analysts individually devise their own naming schemes and manually document their samples.

This way of working not only consumes a great deal of time, but also leaves ample room for errors.

Since a LIMS generally stores data centrally, it’s easy for analysts to access up-to-date information in real time, whether they’re in the laboratory, at home, or even on the move.

Many LIMS platforms connect to laboratory instruments, making it possible to import or export sample data, whether for storage, consumption of results, or directly to other applications for more effective communication.

Many LIMS platforms can even read test or experimental run errors and flag users when appropriate, moving samples to other statuses or equipment as needed.

Without a LIMS, there’s a lot of room for error when it comes to collecting sample data and even maintaining a chain of custody.

Manual documentation can quickly become complicated and error-prone, especially as the number of samples tested together increases – and this can happen frequently, particularly in a testing environment with extensive controls and significant analysis replication.

Conclusion

It’s undeniable that laboratories today face a growing need for high throughput, even while handling large volumes of data. Beyond having to meet strict regulations, these laboratories also need an efficient, transparent workflow, with fast, error-free decision-making.

To achieve all these results, having the right LIMS for your laboratory’s needs becomes essential, streamlining a work optimization process and delivering even more results with less effort.

To make sure your LIMS is working for you, choose Actiz and turn your laboratory’s daily operations into smooth, 100% controlled activities. Get in touch with one of our sales representatives and achieve more with less.