In the realm of laboratory operations, efficient and effective management of data is crucial. Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) play a vital role in streamlining laboratory workflows, data management, and quality assurance. When implementing a LIMS, organizations face the choice between customization and configuration. While customization may seem appealing at first, a closer examination reveals that configuring a LIMS offers numerous advantages over customization.
This article explores a few considerations for those wondering how best to approach their project – the complexity of implementation and ongoing support, the required IT knowledge and expertise, and the ease of upgrading a primarily configured LIMS over its customized counterpart.
Look to change the status quo
Customizing a LIMS involves modifying the software code to meet specific requirements unique to a laboratory’s workflow. Although this approach offers a high level of flexibility, it significantly increases the complexity of implementation. Customizations often require extensive coding, testing, and documentation, leading to longer implementation timelines and increased costs.
On the other hand, configuration involves utilizing the built-in features and settings of the LIMS to tailor it to the laboratory’s specific needs. This process is generally less complex and faster than customization, as it leverages pre-existing functionality and workflows.
Configuration allows for a more straightforward setup, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring a smoother transition for laboratory staff. However, the configuration route might not enable you to exactly mirror your current workflows; it may be necessary to make a few adjustments to better fit the software to your processes.
This is a good time to look at your current processes and think about what really makes sense, you may find there are unnecessary steps either from legacy procedures, or just old habits. Take time to ask questions and dig deep to work out the best approach so you are making the most out of your software investment.
Plot your lab workflows graphically
Customizing a LIMS often demands a high level of IT expertise. Modifying the code requires experienced programmers or developers who are familiar with the system’s architecture. This creates a dependency on specialized resources and makes system maintenance challenging when those individuals are not available, or if the laboratory undergoes personnel changes.
In contrast, configuring a LIMS allows laboratory personnel, who are well-versed in the organization’s workflows and processes, to manage the system without extensive programming knowledge. A user-friendly interface and configurable options empower laboratory staff to adapt the LIMS to their evolving needs. This decreases reliance on external IT support and enables the laboratory to maintain its system autonomously. Thermo Scientific™ SampleManager™ LIMS takes a graphical approach to configuration – rather than requiring code to be written, the LIMS is easily configured by super users of the system. Graphical workflows map to actual laboratory processes, automating decisions and actions, reducing the need for user intervention, and enabling adaption to process changes. Putting the power to update workflows in the hands of the user reduces the burden on IT staff to use code to make periodic changes – for example for new products or specifications.
Future-proof your LIMS
In terms of ongoing support, customization can pose challenges. Custom code modifications may become incompatible with future updates or require additional effort to maintain. This can result in a heavier reliance on in-house IT expertise or external consultants, leading to increased costs and potential delays in addressing issues. Configured systems, however, are typically more straightforward to support, as they rely on the native functionality of the LIMS, reducing the dependence on custom code. The IT team at the Shell Scotford Complex, located in Fort Saskatchewan Alberta, Canada, made the decision to switch out much of their customized LIMS in favour of configured workflows to reduce complexities and future-proof their system.
Further down the road, upgrading a customized LIMS can be a time-consuming and complex process. As new software versions are released, the customizations must be carefully reviewed and re-implemented to ensure compatibility. This often requires additional development and testing efforts, further delaying the upgrade process. Consequently, laboratories using heavily customized systems may fall behind on software updates, missing out on critical bug fixes, security patches, and new features.
A configured LIMS is generally more compatible with upgrades. Configuration settings are designed to be preserved during system updates, reducing the impact on the laboratory’s processes, and minimizing the need for extensive rework. This ensures that laboratories can take advantage of the latest enhancements and improvements provided by the LIMS vendor without the fear of breaking custom code or disrupting workflows.
Pre-configured LIMS for the win
It’s important to remember that the time it takes to implement a LIMS is time you are not getting value from your investment. The installation of SampleManager™ LIMS software can be expedited through use of pre-configured industry-standard capabilities for labs in pharma and biopharma QA/QC, oil and gas refineries, advanced battery production, and biorepositories. These Solutions aim to deliver a solid set of functionalities that customers in those environments typical rely on, reducing project risk and shortening implementation time.
While customization may appear enticing due to the perception of unlimited flexibility, configuring a LIMS offers numerous advantages that make it the preferred approach for most laboratories. The reduced complexity of implementation and ongoing support, the decreased IT knowledge required for system maintenance, and the ease of upgrades make configuration a more efficient and cost-effective choice.
By leveraging the built-in features and settings of a flexible and perhaps pre-configured LIMS, laboratories can tailor their systems to meet specific needs while securing the longevity of their software investment.
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