Smart Laboratories: How to Decide if a SaaS LIMS Is Right for You

Advances in Software as a Service (SaaS) demonstrate that this technology is here to stay!

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a term that’s very much in vogue right now, and all indications suggest SaaS applications are here to stay. Not long ago, the SaaS application model was met with a certain degree of skepticism, mainly due to concerns over reliability. Today, however, growing network reliability and technological advances have turned the SaaS model into a solid, trustworthy choice for companies of all sizes.

There’s a reason more and more laboratories are migrating to Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) in the SaaS model rather than sticking with traditional on-premises systems. Just as consumer applications like email, banking, and entertainment have moved to the cloud, LIMS solutions are following the same path.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) in the SaaS model.

Defining “Software as a Service (SaaS)”

Before we highlight the advantages of a SaaS LIMS, let’s first define SaaS: it means the software doesn’t run on a server at the same location as the end user. In other words, the software isn’t installed “on-premises.” Instead, it’s managed by a third party at a secure location, and users access it over the internet. Gmail, Netflix, and Facebook are all examples of SaaS applications.

The same philosophy applies to SaaS LIMS software. You may already be familiar with the benefits of cloud applications in general, but let’s dive specifically into the advantages of a SaaS LIMS compared to an on-premises LIMS.

Access anytime, anywhere

Perhaps the greatest benefit of a SaaS Laboratory Information Management System is ease of access. Since all you need is a device with a web browser and an internet connection, you can access your data literally from anywhere in the world.

Reliability

In the past, with on-premises servers, IT departments bore the burden of managing all the software used in laboratories. Keeping up with software changes, patches, and bug fixes was never easy, and it was often too much for organizations to handle on their own. Fast forward to today: with a SaaS LIMS, you no longer need to manage the software locally. That means all software maintenance is handled by the vendor, and updates and fixes can be applied automatically.

Centralized data

If you’ve ever worked with laboratories across different locations, you may remember having to deal with sample data scattered across multiple databases. If vials were shipped between sites, it was impossible to know which database held the most up-to-date information on a given sample. Using a SaaS LIMS solves this problem: all users access the same sample record, so there are never issues with duplicate or outdated data. This “single source of truth” ensures your LIMS does what it’s supposed to do: let you easily find the most current information on any sample, at any time.

Security

Security may be the most compelling reason to move to a cloud-based LIMS. Hackers are constantly changing their tactics, and it’s practically impossible for an individual laboratory to keep its on-premises software up to date with every latest security patch and vulnerability fix. As cybercriminals grow more sophisticated, organizations are forced to hire security consultants and specialists to keep their systems safe. That headache disappears with cloud applications.

Lower Total Cost

Now that you know the benefits, you might be wondering about pricing for SaaS-category LIMS. Given all these advantages over traditional on-premises LIMS, you might be surprised to learn that once you factor in all the costs, a SaaS LIMS typically works out cheaper than an on-premises version. That’s because on-premises LIMS require you to purchase servers and other IT hardware to run the application. There are also peripheral costs — IT staff, physical space, environmental monitoring, and more — that must be factored into the on-premises model. This makes the real cost of a SaaS LIMS considerably lower than the on-premises alternative.

Stop wasting time and resources on manual processes! Schedule a diagnostic meeting with Actiz now to see how a LIMS can help your company achieve operational excellence and stay compliant with regulations: CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE or send an email to: contato@actiz.com.br

Given all the benefits described above, it’s easy to understand why lab managers and R&D directors are migrating to a SaaS LIMS model. Security, reliability, data access, and lower cost are all reasons why modern laboratories now consider only SaaS LIMS solutions, such as ActizLab, for their laboratory digitalization and transformation projects.