Seven Keys to Unlocking the LIMS Selection Process
Working for a LIMS provider, I know there are plenty of technical requirements to consider when selecting a LIMS for your lab, but tunnel vision on those technical details can make you miss the forest for the trees. Here are seven keys that provide a unique, non-technical, broader decision-making framework.
1. Choose expertise over experience
Don’t confuse experience with expertise. It isn’t enough that a company has been around for a long time. Look for evidence of deep roots in the laboratory. Lots of software companies claim to know what you need, but few actually have staff that have lived and breathed laboratory operations.
2. Think long-term
You will have this LIMS for 5-10 years. 
It will become part of your extended family. Functionality has to be broad enough to address your current needs and flexible enough to meet future needs without a lot of upgrade expense.
3. Look for functionality that directly improves productivity and quality
At the heart of any new LIMS is the ability to improve laboratory productivity and quality management. The system should streamline sample management, automate instrument integration, facilitate compliance, and improve access to information.
4. Search high and low
Consider a broad range of solutions when you are searching for a new LIMS. Even though you may find some systems out-of-reach financially, they will provide a good comparison of value for the other systems you consider.
5. Configurable really does beat custom
The closer you get to off-the-shelf the better you are — assuming that software is well established and configurable. Core LIMS functionality is pretty well understood today, and you should expect a provider to be spreading the costs of standard features across a large customer base. Configurability should enable you to cost-effectively tailor that system to your needs, while customized systems can be expensive, one-of-a-kind solutions.
6. Don’t take their word for it
Plenty of companies sing their own praises. That’s fine — you want them to be proud of their own success. But for the real insights, ask for references. Yes, it seems like a basic step, but many companies do not adequately follow up beyond a quick phone call.
7. Understand implementation and support resources
Any LIMS is a complex solution, and even the best systems require some expertise to implement and maintain. But the more configurable and reliable the product, the less you’re going to rely on implementation project managers and technical support. Likewise, some training is inevitable, but the more intuitive the product, the quicker your staff will come up to speed.
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Guest author Andy Levy writes to us from Promium LLC, a leading provider of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) for commercial and public sector testing laboratories. We at ezCoC have partnered with Promium to ensure that our system's EDD formats are compatible with Element LIMS. Current formats include Element ECOC and Element AutoLogExcel. For more information on Promium, visit www.Promium.com. |