A "Laboratory Information Management System" (LIMS) is a software solution specifically designed for managing laboratory processes and data. It supports laboratories in capturing, processing, managing, and analyzing samples and associated information. A LIMS can be used in various industries, including the life sciences, pharmaceuticals, chemistry, environmental, food and beverage, and materials testing.
Typical functions of a Laboratory Information Management System include:
Sample management: Capture of sample information, assignment of sample numbers, tracking sample status, and management of sample storage locations.
Order management: Capture of order details, assignment of tasks to laboratory personnel, tracking of order progress, and scheduling.
Analysis management: Management of analysis methods, assignment of analyses to samples, planning of analysis orders, and tracking of analysis results.
Quality control and assurance: Monitoring of quality control parameters, conducting quality checks, tracking deviations, and implementing quality improvement measures.
Document management: Storage and management of laboratory protocols, reports, certificates, and other relevant documents.
Instrument integration: Integration of laboratory instruments and devices for automatic data capture and transfer.
Traceability and compliance: Ensuring traceability of samples and data according to regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Reporting and analysis: Generation of reports, dashboards, and statistical analyses for evaluating laboratory results and trends.
User management and access control: Management of user accounts, permissions, and access rights to secure sensitive laboratory information.
