If you’re managing a lab, Lab Workflow Management software is critical. LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) software will help you manage sample testing, equipment, and reagents, and keep track of all of your lab’s activities. Overall, LIMS software helps you increase productivity and make better use of resources. It also protects your data. If you’re dealing with IP (Intellectual Property) rights and PHI (Protected Health Information), then you need to make sure your sensitive data is secure to avoid fines or lab closures. A good LIMS software should provide tools for streamlining your workflow alongside an airtight security system. See the list below to find out which software is the best for your needs.
Top 7 Lab Workflow Management Software
- Agilent – Best comprehensive lab workflow management software
- Sapio Sciences – best ELN
- Orchard – Best for physician office labs
- LabKey – Best for life science data storage
- Qbench – Best for customizable data organization
- CGM LabDaq – Best for hospitals
- H&A Scientific – Best simple lab workflow software
1. Agilent: Best Comprehensive lab workflow management software
Price: Must request a quote (no free trial)
Agilent is an SLIMS (Small Library Information Management System) software that combines ELN (Electronic Laboratory Notebook) with LIMS to optimize lab workflow management. Agilent allows you to store and review all your experiments, samples, and results in one place. Using the sample processing management feature, you can review multiple samples at once. It also allows you to log and keep track of all your equipment and supplies through the storeroom feature, and even track publications.
Key Features:
- Core facilities management
- SLIMS
- Instrument access control and usage tracking
- Publication tracking
- Sample processing management
- Automated studies management
- Materials management
- Storeroom management
- Add-on scheduling manager
Reasons to Buy:
- Quick and easy to install
Reasons to Avoid:
- Best for large labs
2. Sapio Sciences: Best Electronic Laboratory Notebook
Price: Available upon request
Sapio Sciences’ LIMS software offers three versions of an ELN, each with different features and customization options. Their ELN is built for scientists and requires very little training to learn how to use. The ELN includes instrument support and allows you to track every step of your experiment, including protocols, materials, samples, instrument data, and more. Although they don’t offer the same scope of Agilent’s SLIMS software, the numerous features of their ELN makes Sapio Sciences a desirable option. Along with many other features, they also have an interactive work queue dashboard and top-notch security. The only downside is that the Bronze version (the basic version) doesn’t include LIMS features, so you have to upgrade to get the full package.
Key Features:
- Cloud based
- Three editions of ELN
- EMR interface
- Lab instrument interface
- Sample tracking
- Procedure-based billing
- Workflow template creation
- Data visualization chart builder
- Instrument tracking
- Security features
Reasons to Buy:
- Easy to use
- Different versions for students, small labs, and larger labs
Reasons to Avoid:
- Basic version doesn’t include LIMS features
3. Orchard: Best for physician office labs
Price: Available upon request
Orchard is a Laboratory Information System (LIS) software. If you’re looking for a new way to manage your physician office’s data and track lab tests, Orchard is a great choice. With a highly user-friendly intuitive design, your staff won’t need much training to start using Orchard. Orchard’s cost tracking features will also help you reduce unnecessary costs while receiving results in a timely manner. Their test interpretation support also reduces errors and helps you evaluate results more efficiently.
Key Features:
- Sample tracking
- Quality control
- Multiple report and delivery options
- Demographic information database
- EHR storage
- Test interpretation support
- Cost tracking
- Cloud storage and security
- Intuitive design
- Integrates with Allscripts, PrimeSuite, and other medical systems
Reasons to Buy:
- Easy for staff to use
Reasons to Avoid:
- Not designed for labs conducting experiments
4. LabKey: Best for life science data storage
Price: Available Upon Request (Free trial available)
LabKey provides a great solution to storing life sciences data. With sample tracking, data management, and many customizable features, LabKey is suitable for a variety of labs, from academic research labs to biopharmaceutical organizations. As part of their training blog, they offer compliance tips for managing clinical samples and a strong customer support portal to assist with building your workflow on LabKey. Their centralized data platform allows you to spend less time organizing your data and more time analyzing results.
Key Features:
- Lab data management
- Sample tracking
- Longitudinal study data management
- Biologic research and development
- Sample management
- Research network data centralization
- Targeted mass spectometry
- Customizable protocols, analysis tools, and data integrations
Reasons to Buy:
- Good for labs of all sizes
Reasons to Avoid:
- Slower implementation process
5. Qbench: Best for customizable data organization
Price: Available Upon Request (must request a free demo)
Qbench provides a cloud-based LIMS software that covers the entire testing workflow, from receiving the sample to automated results reporting. Unlike some of the other options, they have tags that you can put onto key pieces of data as a way of organizing your own information system. They also offer customizable filters, KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and report templates. You can tailor Qbench’s software to fit the needs of your lab. Additionally, they have some automated features, such as increment control counts and relative percent difference calculations for your convenience.
Key Features:
- Sample tracking
- Barcode samples
- Tags
- Savable filters
- Create and send invoices
- Key performance indicator visualization
- Assay conditional flagging
- Custom fields
- Quality control
- Automatic calculations
- Customizable report templates
Reasons to Buy:
- Encrypted
- Suited for various industries
Reasons to Avoid:
- No all-in-one ELN
6. CGM LabDaq: Best for hospitals
Price: Available upon request
If you’re looking for a software to help you manage a high volume of patient tests with top-notch security and advanced data management functions, CGM LabDaq is a great choice. This leading LIS software emphasizes security throughout the entire process, from inputting samples to analyzing results. CGM LabDaq was designed to meet the needs of high volume hematology and urine labs (and others) and can be easily scaled up as volume increases. This software does require more training than others on this list, but its security and tracking features make it worth learning.
Key Features:
- Sample Tracking
- Data Mining
- Inventory Management
- Specimen Storage
- Streamlined workflows
- Integrates with EMR Systems
- Secure Test Result Transmission
Reasons to Buy:
- Securely integrates with various databases and healthcare systems
Reasons to Avoid:
- More training required
7. H&A Scientific: Best simple lab workflow management software
Price: Available Upon Request
H&A is a SLIM Lab Workflow Management Software designed to simplify the process of organizing and analyzing data. H&A’s numerous features can be overwhelming, but their user interface makes it incredibly easy to navigate. Plus, they offer numerous customization options as well as sophisticated data analysis.
Key Features:
- Sample tracking
- Customizable report templates
- Protocol editor
- Product and study inventory
- Secure Lab Work Request (LWR) forms
- Automatic resource scheduling
- Shelf-life analysis
- Workload calendar functions
- Stability chamber inventory
- Document sharing
Reasons to Buy:
- Simple design
Reasons to Avoid:
- Amount of features may be overwhelming
References and Links:
- https://thirdwaveanalytics.com/blog/why-a-lims-is-the-perfect-solution-for-laboratory-workflow-management/
- https://www.agilent.com/en/product/software-informatics/lab-workflow-management-software
- https://www.capterra.com/p/247619/Agilent-SLIMS/
- https://www.sapiosciences.com/
- https://sourceforge.net/software/product/Sapio-Sciences/
- https://www.softwareadvice.com/ca/medical-lab/orchard-lis-profile/
- https://www.labkey.com/
- https://qbench.net/
- https://www.cgm.com/usa_en/products/lab-management-software.html
- https://hascientific.com/