Let’s face it: Lab management software can be a bit of a pain sometimes. You may have already experienced this with your current system, or you may be about to in the near future. Once you have implemented and set up your lab management software, it works okay for a little while. But then things start to get complicated. Keeping track of everything becomes difficult. New staff members need special training before they can use the system effectively. There needs to be more integration between different programs and departments within the company. Everyone seems to want something different from the software, and there are too many logins and passwords to remember! Enter lab management software of the future – or “LIMS” – as we’ll be calling it from now on.
What is Lab Management Software?
Lab management software is information technology that manages the execution of analytical testing in a laboratory environment by integrating data collection and management from instruments, computers, and people within a single system. It is characterized by its interdisciplinary approach to information management, and its ability to integrate data from a variety of sources, including instruments, computers, and people. Lab management software can be custom-built, off-the-shelf, or a hybrid of both. The purpose of all lab management software is to help people do their jobs better, easier and more efficiently. When talking about the lab management software of the future, we are talking about the direction that technology is taking towards more automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and data analytics.
Things to Expect from the Future of LIMS
A New Way of Thinking: From Inventory to Actual Usage - It may sound trivial, but you’ll need to make sure you are tracking the usage of your assets, not just their stock level. The difference is that while inventory is focused on the number of items stored in a place, usage is more focused on the number of times each item is used. This is important because it’s a great starting point for understanding how your analytical testing processes are being used, where bottlenecks are occurring and how your resources can be better utilized. Lab Automation and Robotics - You may have heard about the robots that are being used in other industries, but now they are coming to the lab! New types of LIMS are being designed with robotics and artificial intelligence to automate processes such as sample management, report generation and instrument calibration. This trend has been seen in other industries in the past, but it’s now trickling into laboratories and managing labs of the future. Data Analytics in the Future of LIMS - Data analytics are being leveraged in more ways than ever before. From basic reporting to analysis of high-value assets, data analytics are creating a more efficient and effective lab operation. However, as analytical instrumentation and automation increases, the volume of data to be processed and analyzed will also increase exponentially. This is where the future of LIMS comes in.
Conclusion
The lab management software of the future will likely be more sophisticated than your current lab management software. It will be more automated and focused on data analytics. It’s likely that it will integrate with other software programs such as CRM systems and ERP systems. It may also implement artificial intelligence and robotics to optimize the testing process across the entire company. The future of lab management software is looking bright. With technological advancements coming in all areas, it’s not surprising to see the lab industry taking advantage of new developments. If you’re currently using an outdated lab management software, now may be the time to consider upgrading to the lab management software of the future!