In unremitting lab environments, a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) plays a principal role in ensuring the lab and its research outcomes are insightful, effective, streamlined, and efficient. It’s critical that data—including the lab’s intellectual property—is managed with integrity, operations and workflows are proficient, human error is minimized, processes are compliant, and the team in the lab are trained to a high standard and working with overall adeptness.
There is often a lot to consider and juggle at any one time with a busy lab, therefore LIMS software becomes the linchpin to a centralized well-managed profitable laboratory business. For Laboratory Managers who are considering making the leap to a digitally transformed lab operation, the selection of a reliable LIMS software vendor is paramount for a smooth implementation and successful outcome.
To help LIMS software customers ask the right questions and gain confidence in their choice of vendor, using a QUEST framework can help. This handy acronym encapsulates the key factors to consider when evaluating and selecting a vendor and LIMS solution.
Q is for Quality
Quality matters. When choosing a vendor and the right LIMS software, an investment in a quality solution, is an investment in peace of mind. Accuracy, reliability, compliance, and security… all these things are crucial for the integrity of data and the overall operational efficiency of the lab.
Some vendors might claim theirs is a ‘quality’ solution within their product marketing and product information, but LIMS vendors differ in the rigor to which they undertake their quality processes, in the development, testing, product management, and other functions (relating to the delivery of their solution) – these are all important factors that contribute to the overall value and the longevity of the chosen LIMS.
For over 30 years, Thermo Fisher Scientific, for example, has been widely recognized for the quality, accuracy, and reliability of its LIMS software solutions – becoming one of the most recognized and widely deployed LIMS solutions to support laboratory informatics customers around the globe.
Backed by the scale and portfolio of the company, Thermo Fisher informatics software solutions and the support teams behind them, fundamentally help laboratories to digitally transform: to better manage lab information, data, samples, instruments, and workflows. The quality of a Thermo Scientific™ LIMS software solution helps ensure the accuracy and integrity of laboratory research outcomes, through the robust validation processes that its software drives, as well as comprehensive data management features at the core of their LIMS solutions.
Customers trust in the quality of a LIMS solution from Thermo Fisher because they are developed to help laboratories comply with industry standards and regulatory requirements, providing them with the necessary tools to maintain compliance. Additionally, Thermo Fisher implements robust security measures in its LIMS, such as encryption, access controls, and audit trails, to address data security concerns. Get in touch if you need peer references or case studies that demonstrate the quality and reliability of a Thermo Fisher LIMS solution.
U is for Usability
What programming language does the solution use…? Where is coding required…? How easy will it be to find someone who can work with the language…? You will no doubt have umpteen questions about the usability of your required LIMS, and about how intuitive the solution needs to be, to enable your colleagues to get confidently up and running on the new software system.
You need to be able to ensure your vendor will deliver a software solution designed with a focus on user-friendliness and ease of use. The user interface of LIMS software, such as Thermo Scientific™ SampleManager™ LIMS, can be configured to meet specific laboratory or industry needs, ensuring a seamless user experience. Thermo Fisher LIMS software solutions are designed to support easy integration with existing laboratory instruments and software, allowing for efficient data transfer and analysis. The company also offers comprehensive training and support resources to ensure smooth user onboarding and ongoing user satisfaction long after the LIMS has been pushed live within your business. Its solutions are also scalable and can accommodate future growth and evolving requirements without sacrificing usability.
E is for Expertise/Experience
From the people who are going to be working with you to understand how your lab operates to configure a demo of the software, to the people tasked to implement and support your new LIMS system: you will no doubt want to feel assured that the vendor you choose, and the team you work with, has first-hand knowledge of your industry and application. You might, for example, question how long the vendor has worked with customers in your sector. Or, how long the LIMS implementation project team staff have worked in the industry or for the vendor organization?
What’s crucial is that the vendor you select has long-standing expertise and experience in providing LIMS solutions. With a proven track record, Thermo Fisher has been serving labs including those in pharmaceutical, manufacturing, energy, food and beverage, environmental, and research industries, with LIMS solutions for over thirty years. As a trusted vendor, the team at Thermo Fisher possesses domain knowledge and understands the intricacies of laboratory workflows. Not only can it ensure that its LIMS solutions meet the specific needs of different industries, but it can also provide customer testimonials or references that demonstrate expertise and customer satisfaction.
S is for Success Record
Does the vendor have reference customers you can speak to? How many successful implementations do they have in your space? How long have they been supplying LIMS and lab software? How quickly do they typically achieve go-live with similar customers?
It’s only natural that you will be looking for a vendor with a strong success record, delivering exceptional customer experiences and achieving significant benefits for their customers through their LIMS solutions. Thermo Fisher can provide case studies and success stories from customers who have realized improved efficiency and productivity with their LIMS. The company has also received industry recognition that highlights its accomplishment as a quality LIMS vendor. Thermo Scientific maintains enduring relationships with satisfied customers. Thermo Scientific has a dedicated support team that is responsive in addressing customer concerns.
T is for Tomorrow
It’s essential to take a longer-term view of your laboratory and think about what’s next for your business, rather than seeing your LIMS implementation as a finite project. For example, you will want to think about how easy the LIMS is to upgrade. Does the vendor have examples to show you of how this has been achieved, and how long you can expect it to take? So, this might lead you to consider how much the vendor spends on the R&D of their software product to ensure it fits with your longer-term view. Or, are they investing in capabilities that could add further value to your business? Do they partner with industry leaders in areas that are important to your business, and that will complement your solution? Think about how extensible your LIMS solution will be beyond your needs today – can it grow as your organization needs it to?
This is where the notion of digital transformation comes in – a LIMS solution (and the vendor you choose to work with) shouldn’t be the end game or the final objective. Digital transformation should be an ongoing strategy for your organization.
Thermo Fisher is committed to staying at the forefront of the LIMS industry and providing long-term support to their customers. It regularly releases software updates for its LIMS solutions, incorporating new technologies and addressing emerging needs – the 2023 recent release of SampleManager LIMS software version 21.2 being a case in point brings updates to the 2022 version of the software. The company has a roadmap for future development, ensuring that its LIMS solutions evolve in line with industry trends, and of course, Thermo Fisher values customer feedback and incorporates user suggestions into their product roadmap. It offers extensive ongoing training and support to ensure its LIMS software customers are prepared for future challenges and can maximize the benefits of their LIMS solutions.
QUEST! Don’t settle for second-best
Choosing the right LIMS vendor is important. A LIMS solution is a significant investment for any lab, and selecting the right vendor can greatly impact the success of its implementation and the longevity and value of the LIMS. The right LIMS vendor should not only provide a robust and reliable software solution but also offer expertise, support, and a long-term partnership. A reliable LIMS vendor ensures data integrity, streamlines workflows, and enhances overall efficiency, leading to improved productivity and cost savings. Moreover, choosing the right LIMS solution can help to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties. Therefore, customers should carefully evaluate and choose a LIMS vendor that aligns with their unique requirements to maximize the benefits of their LIMS implementation.
Asking the right questions is also important to ensure a successful LIMS implementation and a fruitful long-term partnership with your chosen vendor. So too does learning from an expert via a webinar.
By using the QUEST framework, you can confidently evaluate and choose a vendor that aligns with your unique requirements. As you do though, remember that Thermo Fisher’s commitment to quality, usability, expertise/experience, success record, and tomorrow ensures that its LIMS solutions are ready to meet the needs of laboratories today and in the future.
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