Today, on Acronyms Are Hard, we’re talking about LIMS, Laboratory Information Management Systems. The topic is vast. To best facilitate the discussion, we’ll break it into two major sections. First we’ll talk about what a LIMS system is, and then tell you what it means for you.

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

Laboratory Information Management Systems can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. For Corso Systems’ customers, we typically start by considering what an SPC system could do for in a lab environment instead of a real-time process control situation. Want to know more about SPC? Read our Acronyms Are Hard: SPC article.

Historically, LIMS was used in lab environments for sample management. That is the core of a LIMS—collect data, input it into the system, and pull information from that data. Then you have information you can use to make decisions based off of your data. Remember how Corso Systems talks about the importance of being able to use your data? This applies when discussing LIMS. 

As business decisions have become more evidenc- based and information systems have become bigger and better, you need better tools to understand and manage everything that is happening. Using a LIMS system helps you manage your QA/QC processes in the same way you might use a SCADA or MES system to manage your plant’s equipment. LIMS can be easily integrated with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) integrations, Big Data, MES integrations, and more to give you full visibility into how your quality affects every aspect fo your operation.

What a LIMS System Means For You!

Using a LIMS system means that you now have much more control over your data. There are a ton of LIMS options on the market. It seems like every major software company offers a LIMS package, and you can even leverage tools like Inductive Automation’s Ignition SCADA platform to build a LIMS system that is fully integrated into all of your PLCs, databases, and security infrastructure.

We’re not going to tell you which LIMS system platform is best in this post. We will note that Corso Systems offers a web-based LIMS package built on Ignition that we’ve created and is currently being successfully used by our customers in a variety of industries.

Elimination of Human Error, Interconnected Information, Real Time Tracking

Using bar codes, automated inputs, and interconnected systems reduces manual labor and duplicate inputs.

When systems are connected, it’s easier to drill down for the information you need.

Want to know more about how you can use LIMS systems as part of an overall Manufacturing Execution System (MES)? Check out The Ultimate MES Guide.

Updated - 6/8/2022