A LIMS, or Laboratory Information Management System, can undoubtedly be transformational. In any lab environment, efficient data management is fundamental to staying ahead in research, remaining compliant, and improving production quality and innovation.
Calculating the investment of a LIMS and selecting the right software, from the right vendor can be a catalyst for progressing the operation and output of your lab. Conversely, choosing the wrong LIMS software, can lead to unexpected additional costs and operational frustrations further down the line. Given a LIMS implementation requires serious investment of time and resources, it is important you get it right first time to avoid paying the price of an inadequate software solution.
So, how can you ensure that you make the right choice from the outset and be confident that your investment will yield the substantial returns your business demands?
Figure out the potential cost savings!
It is easy to be swayed by the allure of an initial low cost, but a more comprehensive perspective is essential when considering the ROI (Return on Investment) a LIMS can bring.
One of the first things to do is to evaluate the total cost of ownership (TCO) – encompassing software purchase, implementation, configuration, training, ongoing support, and potential upgrades.
Another is to make use of a LIMS Return on Investment (ROI) estimate calculator. This tool lets you swiftly estimate the potential cost savings achievable through a LIMS implementation. From the outset of your LIMS project, this tool serves as a valuable ally in helping bolster your LIMS investment strategy, by quantifying the potential savings your organization can reap through the digital automation of manual tasks like data entry, result validation, and report generation.
The LIMS ROI estimate calculator tool is tailored for QA/QC in production, but also accommodates diverse lab types– allowing you to quickly grasp the costs that would apply to your lab context and illustrate the potential cost return tailored to your unique lab environment.
Fields in the calculator let you input your own data around samples, analysts, and lab sites. For example, simply feed in the number of analysts in your lab, the hours they typically work to manually check results, the number of samples analysed over a year, or the time taken for sample analysis, along with data about the number of sites you operate, and the tool will calculate the potential ROI you could expect to achieve with a LIMS implementation.
But alongside reaching for the calculator, you might want to also consider some general approaches that will help you to sidestep any unnecessary expense and position your investment and your lab for success:
- Scope out what is distinct about your lab operation. The journey to a successful LIMS software implementation, and to safeguarding return on investment, begins with scoping your lab’s distinct requirements. You will of course have a good handle on your lab and business operation, but it can be easy to do so with blinkered vision, so it is prudent to assess your lab’s unique needs. Engage with colleagues from across the breadth of your business to widen this view and comprehensively understand the current versus the ideal workflow, challenges, and data management needs. By pinpointing these intricacies from a strategic viewpoint, you are setting the stage for a LIMS that aligns seamlessly with your lab’s current and desired operation. The Complete Guide to LIMS Selection eBook is a notable resource to help you prepare all that is required as you consider and go about investing in and implementing a LIMS.
- Not all vendors are created equal. Vendors across the LIMS software landscape will promise to meet your laboratory needs. However, not all vendors are the same. Part of your research to ensure you are delivering the best ROI should include thoroughly evaluating potential vendors based on factors such as industry reputation, experience, adherence to quality processes and record of accomplishment. Read customer reviews, for example on sites like G2.com. Also, it is wise to engage with your LIMS vendor and ensure that you receive a demonstration of how the software will function in the context of your lab’s specific needs, as well as any additional capabilities the solution can offer. This will help you to gain firsthand insights into the software’s capabilities relative to what you and your business will need now and in the future.
- Configuration over Customizing. Software typically takes longer and leads to a system that is less easy and more costly to support and upgrade in future – embrace the concept of configuration. Your laboratory is not generic, so your LIMS software should not be either. Seek out a solution that is configurable to the features and workflows of your lab and your industry. Thermo Scientific™ SampleManager™ LIMS for example, is built for configuration to meet industry standards across various lab types, including manufacturing, pharma and biopharma QA/QC, oil and gas refineries, advanced battery production, and biorepositories. These solutions deliver functionalities that customers in those environments typically rely on, reducing project risk and shortening implementation time.
- Look for a harmonious integration. During the scoping and workshop phases of your preparation for LIMS implementation, you, and your stakeholders, along with your chosen vendor’s project team will be looking to harmonise the incoming LIMS solution with existing instruments, databases, and software applications already in your lab. This is obviously essential for your lab’s efficiency, but taking time to scrutinize this in advance of the implementation will ensure that you prioritize the connections that will provide you the most benefits. The first phase should include essential requirements to allow you to go live as soon as possible. Later project phases can add in lower priority integrations to continually add value to your investment.
- Devote and prioritize learning. Benjamin Franklin said: “For the best return on your money, pour your purse into your head,” because a LIMS is only as effective as the team using it. Look for a software with preconfigured dashboards and a user-friendly interface that your staff can readily embrace. However, user-friendliness does not negate the need for thorough training and onboarding. Devoting time and resources in training as you on-board a new LIMS will ensure that your team is readied and empowered to maximize the software’s potential.
- If you are out of compliance: then comply. Regulatory compliance and data security are non-negotiables in many lab settings. Your chosen LIMS software may need to have robust security features, audit trails, and the ability to step you through workflow processes to support compliance with any regulations. Safeguard compliance and the security of the LIMS you choose to invest in by staying ahead of these requirements from the outset, and by ensuring that your LIMS is set up to move your team through a compliant workflow process. This will help to avoid potential fines, data breaches, and the prohibitive costs associated with non-compliance.
Calculate the way forth with diligence and foresight
The move to a cost-effective and successful LIMS software implementation, is a combination of careful assessment, calculation, strategic evaluation, and thoughtful consideration of your laboratory’s unique needs.
By embarking on this journey with diligence and foresight, you are setting the stage for an investment that not only avoids unnecessary costs, but also transforms your laboratory for improved efficiency, accuracy, and innovation. Choose wisely, then watch as your LIMS software becomes a cornerstone of your laboratory’s success, as you say “Hello!” to new possibilities with LIMS software.
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