Information: Laboratory informatics tools Building a Smart Laboratory 2015


such products may be better labelled as laboratory execution systems (LES) as they follow a very prescriptive approach applicable to those communities engaged in regulatory based testing. To replace a paper notebook, all that


could be required could be a simple authoring tool capable of generating a compound-document. However, additional capability will be needed for storing and searching documents, and for addressing workflow requirements. Some organisations have chosen to implement generic ELN functionality within the framework of their standard IT tools, such as Lotus Notes and SharePoint. In the academic community, blogging tools have been used to record experimental work and thus provide the basic features of an ELN, with a strong emphasis on sharing and collaboration and in the form of a laboratory journal. Te convergence in the informatics


market is now confusing potential customers. Te table, right, identifies the core differences in the major tools. Initially, each of these tools addressed a


well-defined, functional requirement, but the increasing level of sophistication of the underlying information technologies has made it easier to extend functionality in ways that mean that there is now considerable overlap between the different tools. At one stage it was considered unlikely that a single ELN could provide the necessary functionality to support chemistry, biology and analytical requirements. Tose days are over, and this should make the task of finding a suitable ELN easier. But the extent of the overlap with LIMS, SDMS, and LES can generate confusion, and for someone looking to address laboratory information management requirements, the task seems to be more challenging.


What is a laboratory information management system (LIMS)?


A laboratory information management system (LIMS) provides the basic functions for sample and test management, and has become the standard tool for analytical and QC laboratories for registering samples, assigning tests, gathering and managing results, and issuing reports. Most LIMS now provide a more integrated solution to support workflows and processes customised to a range of industry-specific requirements.


18 ELN


Experiment-centric: an authoring tool that handles unstructured data and offers generic and specific functionality to support different scientific disciplines. Supports IP protection, knowledge re-use, productivity and collaboration.


LES


Procedure or experiment- centric: basically able to handle structured data and some unstructured data. Specifically designed to meet the requirements of the GxP environment. Simplifies repeated operations. Supports electronic SOPs.


LIMS


Sample-centric: primarily designed to handle structured data, and offers sample and test management, batch operations, and industry-specific workflows. Secure laboratory information hub. Supports compliance.


SDMS Data-centric: handles data files from laboratory instruments, meta-data, documents, and the relationships between them.


“ In the academic community, blogging tools have been used to record experimental work and thus provide the basic features of an ELN”


Te basic functions to be found in a


LIMS are: • Te registration of samples and associated data, such as provenance, customer, due dates, etc.;


• Te assignment of tests to the sample; • Scheduling and tracking of the sample and tests;


• Recording the test procedure, equipment and materials used during testing;


• Te review, approval, and aggregation of test results for the sample, including specification checking ; and


• Te preparation and communication of customer reports.


Te major business benefits of a LIMS are typically associated with more efficient workflows by eliminating errors due to manual data entry and transcription errors. Tis is achieved through interfacing laboratory instruments to the LIMS for two-way communication of sample IDs, worklists, and results, and by integration with


other laboratory systems such as electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) and scientific data management systems (SDMS). A LIMS also acts as a major repository


of the records of analytical testing and can be a source of historical data associated with the organisation’s products and production processes. In addition, the transactional nature of a LIMS enables a secondary record system to be maintained as an audit trail to track date, time, user – and, if necessary, what change was made within the system. Tis data may then be used to satisfy quality assurance requirements in terms of data integrity, and can also be used to generate a wide variety of management reports on the laboratory’s performance. A pre-requisite before implementing a


LIMS, or indeed any major computerised system, is to map and optimise the laboratory processes that the LIMS will automate. Te laboratory needs to understand the process and to identify any bottlenecks and their underlying causes. Most laboratory processes have evolved over time to meet local laboratory requirements rather than being specifically designed to meet wider organisational requirements. Any LIMS implementation must simplify and streamline the process rather than automate an inefficient, paper-based status quo. Te commercial systems on the


marketplace have become increasingly sophisticated over the years. Te major challenge in choosing a LIMS is identifying how an out-of-the-box solution is aligned to the organisation’s needs. Most systems are highly configurable and avoid the need for any custom code to be written to meet specific requirements.


What is a scientific data management system (SDMS)?


A scientific data management system (SDMS) is, in its basic form, a database application that manages electronic records generated by laboratory instruments. Typically, an SDMS will provide long-term data preservation, accessibility and retrieval. It is complementary to other laboratory informatics systems, such as LIMS and ELNs, in the sense that it can provide a common repository for experiment- and sample- related data files. In this way it provides a more consistent approach to managing laboratory data than local repositories, and off-line media (CDs, DVDs, tape, etc.)


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