LIMS Customization vs. Configuration: What’s the Difference?

A configurable and customizable laboratory information management system (LIMS) solution fixes labs’ frustrations with off-the-shelf software. Modifying your lab to better conform to a static application undermines efficiency while working around its limitations lets errors into testing workflows.

In LIMS Optimization: Aligning a LIMS to the Way Your Lab Works, we explain how configurability and customization let LabLynx tailor LIMS software solutions to meet every client’s unique needs.

But what do we mean by LIMS customization and configuration? And how does that turn into a tailored LIMS solution? Let’s find out.

What is LIMS configurability?

Configurability refers to anything your lab’s employees can do themselves. Configurability goes far beyond changing user profiles. Your LIMS administrator can add new methods, set up instruments, and create role-based access policies.

What is LIMS customization?

Customization includes any changes that require help from LabLynx to put into place. These changes may involve getting your LIMS to interact with other systems. In other cases, our engineers tweak code so your LIMS will support processes unique to your lab.

How do LIMS configurability and customization work for small labs?

Off-the-shelf applications seem like easy, low-cost ways to replace laboratory paperwork, as long as you’re willing to accept their limitations. However, going with a configurable and customizable alternative doesn’t have to be complex or expensive.

LabLynx gives you the best of both options. We deliver LIMS solutions to clients in every industry. Our experience lets us create base configurations of our LIMS platform that include methods, standards, and other features for dozens of industries, such as clinical diagnostics, forensics, water quality, or material testing.

Labs can use their industry configuration as a quick off-the-shelf deployment knowing their LIMS will adapt and grow with their business.

How does LabLynx tailor a LIMS solution?

Starting on the right foot is essential. A LIMS is a long-term commitment for your lab, and for LabLynx. Both of us need to understand where the other is coming from. Opening a dialogue helps us get there.

Our team comes to understand your lab’s priorities and goals. Do you need to improve turnaround times and reduce error rates? Do you need better tools to support accreditation?

At the same time, your team learns what a LIMS can do for your lab. You expect it to store test results, but what about automating report approvals or letting customers download and print barcoded sample labels?

Working together, we sketch out what a LIMS tailored for your lab looks like. Then we set a timeline and budget to get there. A typical implementation project will combine four design approaches: configurations, extensions, integrations, and customizations.

Configurations

We give your LIMS administrators control over a deeply configurable LIMS platform. They can change your LIMS as your business evolves without involving a LabLynx engineer. Some examples of LIMS configurability include:

• Setting up user access, reporting relationships, departments, and locations;
• Adding clients, managing suppliers, and onboarding contractors;
• Configuring methods and workflows, sample collection management, and report approval workflows; and
• Managing laboratory functions like performance and quality reporting, employee training, and audit support.

These are just a few of the ways you can modify your LIMS. In the beginning, LabLynx engineers take care of the initial configuration while your staff learns how to use their new LIMS. Our support team is also ready to answer people’s questions once the LIMS is in place.

Extensions

You can expand your lab’s LIMS beyond its core capabilities with LabLynx-developed extensions. Designed to integrate seamlessly with your LIMS, these applications let you enhance customer service and improve laboratory productivity.

For example, the myLabCare B2B web portal lets customers engage with their lab at any time and on any device. They no longer need to wait for office hours to access lab services such as:

• Downloading sample labels or scheduling pickup times,
• Receiving updates as samples reach testing milestones, and
• Accessing results without waiting for mailed reports.

Access to a myLabCare portal is password-protected, with available multifactor authentication. In addition, end-to-end encryption protects your customers’ information.

Integrations

Every lab is a system of systems. The gaps separating these systems make your lab inefficient. Your staff wastes time shuttling data between systems and tracking down inevitable data entry errors.

Our engineers can turn your LIMS into the central hub for data flowing from instruments, environmental sensors, and other systems. Bridging those gaps digitally to remove the human factor improves data quality and cuts error rates, while at the same time making your team more productive.

Data flows don’t stop at your lab’s walls. Your LIMS can connect with other resources in your company and beyond. We help integrate your lab with manufacturing quality control and other enterprise systems. Data exchange standards make it easy to connect your LIMS with third-party systems such as track-and-trace databases.

Customizations

From small consultancies to global laboratories, almost every customer needs their LIMS to do something new. Our developers work with you to define requirements and then modify the code in our LIMS platform to make it happen.

For example, cutting-edge genomic sequencing and analysis may require workflows that do not map perfectly to capabilities in the LIMS. You don’t need to hire programmers to create bespoke software. We just change the LIMS so it gets the job done.

Alternatively, complex projects may require new ways to manage orders and coordinate testing. Our developers can modify code to support testing in multiple disciplines at different lab sites.

Learn more about LIMS customization and configuration

Rather than trying to meet your lab’s unique needs with generic software, adopt a tailored LabLynx LIMS software solution that can grow with your business. User-controlled LIMS configuration combined with extensions, integrations, and customizations can unlock your lab’s true potential.

Download LIMS Optimization: Aligning a LIMS to the Way Your Lab Works to learn more about the flexibility and scalability of LabLynx’s cloud-based ELab LIMS platform. Or contact us to learn how LabLynx can improve your lab.