A LIMS is a significant investment for your laboratory. Like any investment, it
should produce a payback in reduced labor, greater efficiency, faster turn around, better resource scheduling,
automatic report generation, and a higher level of support to your customers. To accomplish this, you will more
than likely use the LIMS in all parts of your business. Therefore, the LIMS must become an integral part of
your operation. Since the LIMS will impact nearly every employee's work, deciding which of the nearly one hundred
LIMS to purchase is important.
Selecting the best LIMS is more difficult than buying a new analytical instrument. An instrument must meet a limited set of operational parameters and will be used by only a few employees. Thus, a simple comparison of models, plus input from the expected users, and recollection of field service on similar instruments is an acceptable instrument purchase method. How much more difficult the process would be if your task was to select a single instrument manufacturer from whom to purchase all of your laboratory instruments. Such a far-reaching decision should use all available expertise and should be kept devoid of marketing hype. A consultant who does not receive sales commissions or otherwise benefit from a selection decision is an invaluable asset. An independent LIMS consultant is:
OBJECTIVE:
Often, salespeople suppress user requirements that their product does not support - and this is not necessarily intentional. A knowledgeable independent consultant will include all of your needs in the search for the best LIMS and will be able to bring solutions and best practices from numerous industries and product implementations. After working with many LIMS an independent consultant can suggest other features or technologies that may not have occurred to you. And, if you wish to purchase your LIMS competitively, an independent consultant can help write technical requirements in a concise manner to ensure all qualified LIMS suppliers understand what is wanted and expected to be delivered.
KNOWLEDGEABLE:
There are many LIMS available. If your requirement is for Unix, Microsoft, OS/2, or another operating system; Oracle, SQL Server, Access, Cache, or another database; commercially focused or government oriented; an independent consultant will help you find the best system to meet your needs. A knowledgeable consultant can often estimate the costs from various vendors with close accuracy based on past experiences.
SUPPORTIVE:
Since your consultant will not be a bidder to sell you a LIMS, he or she can objectively assist you in evaluating the technical and cost volumes of vendor proposals. Occasionally, a too high bid indicates a misunderstanding of requirements by the LIMS vendor and a too low bid may hide later added costs. In either situation, an independent consultant can assist in clarifying the requirements to each bidder. Since your LIMS consultant will later be in contact with dozens of prospective buyers of LIMS, your winning LIMS vendor may be more customer-success oriented when installing your LIMS.
INFORMED:
An independent consultant can provide an objective assessment of a product or company's capabilities. Some LIMS vendors do not interface instruments; many do not install LANs; and some LIMS cannot be customized sufficiently to meet specific laboratory needs. A significant indicator of potential failure is past history of problematic installations. Most LIMS companies provide a list of pleased customers but how many unhappy customers are also out there? An independent LIMS consultant will know.