2017 Review of Lab Information Management Systems (LIMS)

A lab manager needs to be informed of what is going on in his/her lab. It is not an easy task: monitor experiments, assign tasks and equipment access, keep an eye on the advancement of projects, and more.

Who needs the spectrometer? Is it urgent compared to his colleague? By having an overview of team activities, the lab manager may better distribute the resources. It can be human resources, skills, and equipment.

Software developers worked on this issue for dozens of years. Their solutions offer an overview of the lab activities in one unique dashboard. This solution is called the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

LIMSs are systems developed to support laboratory operations. These software systems can track workflows, aggregate data for research or business purposes. It can complement ELN and other kinds of support software to help the lab better documents its activities.

There are many providers for LIMS solutions. The magazine Spectra Analyse made a great survey in December 2016 of LIMS providers. The following list is a summary of this survey and updated with a few other LIMS we get to know in the meantime.

LabCollector

Software, SaaS, cloud • Made in France and USA

Developed by AgileBio, LabCollector can be applied to all research activities related to pharma and biotechnology. The system is customizable to adapt to the specificity of the research activity, even for non-informaticians. The notebook is accessible by the team with different access rights.

LabCollector is both an electronic notebook and a lab management tool. You can store your notes and track your samples. Data stored are identified with a barcode to easily retrieve the right sample. Unfortunately, it does not support search query in raw data.

You can connect lab equipment directly to this LIMS. It supports several kinds of protocol like RS232, TPC/IP, analysis files and more. The user can set up several alerts for maintenance or calibration deadlines.

The LIMS keeps track of the inventory of the lab supplies. The user is notified when the supplies are short or going to be out of date. It can even purchase the supplies when possible to the usual provider.

Quote and invoices can be edited and tracked via LabCollector.

SLims

Software • Made in Switzerland

Developed by Genohm SA (read the Genohm’s profile), SLims can be applied to all research activities related to life sciences.

The workflow and task assignation to team members can be planned on SLims.

The lab manager can connect lab equipment directly to this LIMS. The user can set up several alerts for calibration deadlines.

The LIMS keeps track of the inventory of the lab supplies. The user is notified when the supplies are short or going to be out-of-date.

Uncountable

Online tool (SaaS) • Made in USA • For chemistry engineering fields• Enterprise-only solution

Uncountable provides LIMS and ELN functions with structured-data storage and project management as well as lab management tools including inventory tracking.

Uncountable gathers all R&D data in one place to which scientists have access. With its AI-based algorithms, it offers interesting combinations and promising experiments to be carried out. To get the most out of Uncountable, data must be entered in a way that is structured and conducive to analysis.

Labii LIMS

_Software, SaaS • Made in USA •_On Scientist

Labii LIMS is a software that is part of the Labii suite for labs. This LIMS is designed to be coupled with Labii ELN to help extract and record data. It was specifically designed for the biotech and pharmaceutical industry.

Labii LIMS benefits from an inventory feature to track the consumption of samples and reagents.

Care LIMS suite

_Software • Made in India •_On Scientist

The company CareData design LIMS for medical-related fields. They have several LIMS for small or bigger labs, respectively CARE LabTrack and CARE Diva.

Their LIMS help to manage and improve the workflow in the lab.

They have specific features that can be useful for medical labs. For example, flags provide information if data match clinical specifications. LIMS by CareData have also an inventory management feature that sends you alerts when the stock is too low.

Exemplar LIMS

Online tool (SaaS) • For biology and chemistry • Price under request • Made in the USA

Exemplar LIMS is designed by Sapio Sciences. It provides an integrated solution to manage both ad hoc experimentation by scientists and lab process tracking. Exemplar enables the rapid building of complex process templates with zero coding, so scientists and lab managers do not have to wait for administrators to implement their requirements.

Exemplar also includes integrated analytics and data visualizations, all supported via a web browser on PCs and tablets. Exemplar has integrated biological and chemistry capabilities as well as registration of biological and chemical entities. Sapio Sciences offers its Exemplar solutions via the cloud for immediate signup and usage with no IT infrastructure required.

AgiLIMS

Software, SaaS • Made in France

Developed by AGILAB, AgiLIMS can be applied of all research and quality control activities related to various industries such as food & beverage, biotechnology, chemistry, cosmetics, energy, environment, manufacture, pharma, and petrochemistry.

The workflow and task assignation to team members can be planned and tracked with AgiLIMS. The tool is flexible and delivers structured work processes.

The user can connect lab equipment directly to this LIMS. The lab manager can set up several alerts for maintenance or calibration deadlines.

The LIMS keeps track of the inventory of the lab supplies. The user is notified when the supplies are short or going to be out-of-date.

For CRO businesses, quote and invoices can be edited and monitored via AgiLIMS.

AQManager

Software, SaaS • Made in France

Developed by BCS, AQManager can be applied to all research activities related to pharma, biotechnology, agri-food, and CROs.

The interface is accessible with an Internet browser. The user navigates to the tool via a simple graphic interface, which can be customized.

AQManager helps to plan workflow and task assignation to team members.

The user can connect lab equipment directly to this LIMS. Alerts for maintenance or calibration deadlines can be set up.

Also, this LIMS keeps track of the inventory of the lab supplies. The user is notified when the supplies are short or going to be out-of-date.

Quote and invoices can be edited and tracked via AQManager.

Core LIMS

Software, SaaS • Made in the USA

Developed by Core Informatics, Core LIMS can be applied to all research activities related to pharma, clinical sciences, energy, genomics, and environment. It is also a tool for CROs.

This LIMS can support complex and large lab facilities like animal facilities.

Configuration is done depending on the activity needs.

The lab manager can connect lab equipment directly to this LIMS with file transfer, API or a command line. Among the large catalog of the feature, workflow and task assignation to team members can be planned on Core LIMS.

The user can set up several alerts for maintenance or calibration deadlines. The LIMS keeps track of the inventory of the lab supplies. The user is notified when the supplies are short or going to be out-of-date.

For CROs, basic invoices can be edited and tracked via Core LIMS.

DIPLABO

Software, SaaS • Made in France

Developed by Dipole, DIPLABO can be applied to all research activities related to agri-food and for CROs.

In 2012, Dipole got the certification ISO-9001, that ensures the company focuses on the customer needs and engage in continual improvements.

Regarding the main feature of DIPLABO, the lab manager can connect lab equipment directly to this LIMS. The workflow and task assignation to team members can be planned.

The user can set up several alerts for maintenance of equipment or calibration deadlines.

The LIMS keeps track of the inventory of the lab supplies. The user is notified when the supplies are short or going to be out-of-date. It can even purchase the supplies when possible to registered providers.

Basic invoices can be edited and tracked via DIPLABO.

iLES

Software, SaaS • Made in the Netherlands

Developed by iVention, iLES can be applied to all research activities related to CRO, agri-food, animal experiment, material science, biotech, and chemistry.

The user only needs only an Internet browser. iLES requires no software installation. The solution can be configured to meet the lab’s needs without coding.

With iLES, lab Managers can connect lab equipment directly to this LIMS and transfer data and files.

The LIMS records qualification and skill of team members. The workflow and task assignation to team members can be planned on iLES.

The user can set up several alerts for maintenance or calibration deadlines. The LIMS keeps track of the inventory of the lab supplies. The user is notified when the supplies are short or going to be out-of-date. It can even purchase the supplies when possible to his/her usual provider.

Basic invoices can be edited and tracked via iLES.

LabWare LIMS

Software, SaaS, cloud • Made in the USA

Developed by LabWare, LabWare LIMS can be applied to all research activities related to pharmaceuticals, biotech, clinical sciences, food science, chemistry, materials and for CROs.

All LabWare LIMS functional modules are provided in a single product license. The system is scalable and suitable for a lab with 10 or 500 users. The workflow and task assignation to team members can be planned on LabWare LIMS.

The lab manager can connect lab equipment directly to this LIMS. The user can set up several alerts for maintenance or calibration deadlines.

The LIMS keeps track of the inventory of the lab supplies. The user is notified when the supplies are short or going to be out-of-date.

Basic invoices can be edited and tracked via LabWare LIMS.

LIMS.fr

Cloud, SaaS • Made in France

Developed by Loc@soft, LIMS.fr can be applied to all research activities related to Chemistry, agri-food, CRO, environment, and hydrology.

The solution can be hosted on by Loc@soft and accessible by cloud. Also, the company offers to install the system directly on the lab servers in-house.

The workflow and task assignation to team members can be planned on LIMS.fr.

You can connect lab equipment directly to this LIMS. The user can set up several alerts for maintenance or calibration deadlines. Loc@soft is certified ISO 17025. Therefore, the company ensures it has the necessary skills to carry out tests and/or calibrations, including sampling.

The LIMS keeps track of the inventory of the lab supplies. The user is notified when the supplies are short or going to be out-of-date.

Basic invoices can be edited and tracked via LIMS.fr.

Matrix Gemini LIMS

Software, SaaS • Made in the United Kingdom

Developed by Autoscribe Informatics, Matrix Gemini LIMS can be applied to all research activities related to bio-banks and healthcare.

No custom coding is required to custom workflow, screens or menus.

The user can connect lab equipment directly to this LIMS. The workflow and task assignation to team members can be planned on the Matrix Gemini LIMS.

The user can set up several alerts for maintenance or calibration deadlines. The LIMS keeps track of the inventory of the lab supplies. The user is notified when the supplies are short or going to be out-of-date.

Solution laboratoire

Cloud, SaaS • Made in France

Developed by LiMSEO, Solution laboratoire can be applied to all research activities related to agri-food, environment, CRO, chemistry, surface sciences, and biotech.

The workflow and task assignation to team members can be planned on Solution laboratoire.

The user can connect lab equipment directly to this LIMS. The user can set up several alerts for maintenance or calibration deadlines.

The LIMS keeps track of the inventory of the lab supplies. The user is notified when the supplies are short or going to be out-of-date. It can even purchase the supplies when possible to the usual provider.

Basic invoices can be edited and tracked via Solution laboratoire. The user also benefits from a CRM solution.

StarLIMS

Software, SaaS • Made in the USA

Developed by ABBOTT Informatics, StarLIMS can be applied to all research activities related to pharma, biotech, cosmetology, chemistry, agri-food and R&D in general.

ABBOTT Informatics develops LIMS, ELN and SDMS products. It avoids the need to purchase multiple informatics interfaces from several partners.

Like any other LIMS, tasks can be assigned to the team member via the LIMS. Tasks that require technical skills can only be assigned to people with the required know-how.

The user can connect lab equipment directly to this LIMS. The user can set up several alerts for maintenance deadlines.

The LIMS keeps track of the inventory of the lab supplies. The user is notified when the supplies are short or going to be out-of-date. It can even purchase the supplies when possible to the usual provider.

Quote and invoices can be edited and tracked via StarLIMS.

TEEXMA LIMS

Software, SaaS, cloud • Made in France

Developed by Bassetti, TEEXMA LIMS can be applied to all research activities related to chemistry, pharma, agri-food, energy, and aeronautics.

The TEEXMA LIMS has been designed to have an overview of the collected data. Actually, the user can compare data sets.

The workflow and task assignation to team members can be planned on TEEXMA LIMS.

The user can connect lab equipment directly to this LIMS. The equipment needs to produce readable files in CSV, txt, XML, Excel or SQL view. The user can set up several alerts for maintenance or calibration deadlines.

This LIMS keeps track of the inventory of the lab supplies. The user is notified when the supplies are short or going to be out-of-date. It can even purchase the supplies when possible to the usual provider.