Being the operator of a laboratory means handling a lot of interesting tasks and processes, but the modern laboratory would be lacking without the best laboratory information management system (LIMS). These software-based solutions are specifically created to offer a digital platform for lab workers to handle a multitude of tasks with greater precision and efficiency. If you are looking to add a good LIMS system to your laboratory, it is helpful to educate yourself about these software solutions to some extent. One helpful thing to know is some of the most pertinent functions these software solutions should have. Here are a few of those features the best LIMS should offer your lab.
Electronic Data Exchange
There is a greater need for different labs to have access to information from other labs these days than ever before. Many labs do collaborative work, but LIMS allows different labs to exchange data rapidly. A laboratory in Israel can log into their own LIMS and fetch shared data from a lab in the United States, for instance. The modern LIMS system offers a secure way for data harvested during laboratory practices to be stored in a data cloud, retrieved freely, and sent out instantaneously to other laboratories who need access to the information.
Instrument Control
With platforms that allow lab workers to control the functions of their equipment electronically, it opens up an entirely new world of possibilities. The days of hanging over something like a water bath and waiting for a timer so the machine can be shut down are over. Instead, using the aforementioned example, a lab worker could wirelessly shut down a water bath through a computer-controlled platform in the LIMS. Better control over lab functions helps make timed practices more tightly controlled and less stressful overall. Multiple instruments used in modern labs can now be controlled with good LIMS software.
Barcode Integration
Having a designated digital identifier for every item and every sample in a lab makes it much easier to keep track of inventory and know when you need to order new supplies. With good laboratory information systems, it is easy to set up a barcode system that allows all items to be scanned as they are used, added to your inventory, or otherwise handled in a way that needs to be tracked. For labs that handle materials that are tightly controlled, this kind of electronic tracking ability is an important security feature.
