https://www.limsforum.com The Global Laboratory, Informatics, Medical and Science Professional Community Thu, 24 Sep 2026 16:30:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.14 https://s3.limsforum.com/www.limsforum.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-LIMSforum-Fav-32x32.png https://www.limsforum.com 32 32 https://www.limsforum.com/environmental-monitoring-lab-one-sample-step-by-step/116507/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=environmental-monitoring-lab-one-sample-step-by-step https://www.limsforum.com/environmental-monitoring-lab-one-sample-step-by-step/116507/#respond Thu, 24 Sep 2026 16:30:00 +0000 https://www.limsforum.com/environmental-monitoring-lab-one-sample-step-by-step/116507/ Environmental monitoring results are largely decided before a sample reaches the instrument. Collection, preservation, custody, and holding time controls can invalidate data before analysis begins. Laboratories must track these critical steps accurately, maintain control of records, and ensure deliverables meet the required state format and version.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/environmental-monitoring-lab-one-sample-step-by-step/116507/feed/ 0 https://www.limsforum.com/laboratory-informatics-five-kinds-of-data-three-decisions/116480/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=laboratory-informatics-five-kinds-of-data-three-decisions https://www.limsforum.com/laboratory-informatics-five-kinds-of-data-three-decisions/116480/#respond Wed, 09 Sep 2026 19:33:18 +0000 https://www.limsforum.com/laboratory-informatics-five-kinds-of-data-three-decisions/116480/ Laboratory informatics is not a single product or platform. It encompasses five types of laboratory data, each requiring appropriate ownership and management. This guide helps laboratories identify data gaps, understand system boundaries, evaluate audit trail obligations, and determine which capabilities are needed to build a practical LIMS shortlist.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/laboratory-informatics-five-kinds-of-data-three-decisions/116480/feed/ 0 https://www.limsforum.com/lims-vs-eln-converged-on-features-not-on-the-unit-of-work/116470/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lims-vs-eln-converged-on-features-not-on-the-unit-of-work https://www.limsforum.com/lims-vs-eln-converged-on-features-not-on-the-unit-of-work/116470/#respond Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:39:19 +0000 https://www.limsforum.com/lims-vs-eln-converged-on-features-not-on-the-unit-of-work/116470/ A LIMS is built around the sample, an ELN around the experiment, and every shared feature sits on one of those two spines. A 2017 survey synthesis found 98 percent awareness of electronic notebooks against 11 percent use, with recurring cost the barrier. Many labs need both; the expensive mistake is expecting one to do the other's job.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/lims-vs-eln-converged-on-features-not-on-the-unit-of-work/116470/feed/ 0 https://www.limsforum.com/lis-vs-lims-two-words-four-desks-one-expensive-mistake/116468/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lis-vs-lims-two-words-four-desks-one-expensive-mistake https://www.limsforum.com/lis-vs-lims-two-words-four-desks-one-expensive-mistake/116468/#respond Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:38:35 +0000 https://www.limsforum.com/lis-vs-lims-two-words-four-desks-one-expensive-mistake/116468/ LIS and LIMS are not two names for one system. An LIS is built around a patient, a requisition and an accession number under CLIA. A LIMS is built around a sample, a client and a holding time under ISO/IEC 17025 or 21 CFR Part 11. The feature lists have converged; the regulation and the data model have not, and that surfaces at go-live.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/lis-vs-lims-two-words-four-desks-one-expensive-mistake/116468/feed/ 0 https://www.limsforum.com/how-does-a-lims-work-and-what-makes-an-implementation-fail/116430/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-does-a-lims-work-and-what-makes-an-implementation-fail https://www.limsforum.com/how-does-a-lims-work-and-what-makes-an-implementation-fail/116430/#respond Mon, 24 Aug 2026 17:32:08 +0000 https://www.limsforum.com/how-does-a-lims-work-and-what-makes-an-implementation-fail/116430/ A LIMS is easy to buy but difficult to implement. Success depends on decisions made early—often before a contract is signed. A LIMS makes the sample the unit of record, linking every transfer, method, instrument reading and approval in a traceable history. How well it works ultimately depends on four key decisions made before purchase.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/how-does-a-lims-work-and-what-makes-an-implementation-fail/116430/feed/ 0 https://www.limsforum.com/lims-roi-how-to-build-a-number-your-cfo-will-accept/116395/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lims-roi-how-to-build-a-number-your-cfo-will-accept https://www.limsforum.com/lims-roi-how-to-build-a-number-your-cfo-will-accept/116395/#respond Mon, 10 Aug 2026 17:58:35 +0000 https://www.limsforum.com/lims-roi-how-to-build-a-number-your-cfo-will-accept/116395/ Most LIMS business cases open with an industry-average savings percentage, and the conversation becomes an argument about whether that number applies to your lab. Here is the other approach: four current-state cost lines you can pull from your own records in an afternoon, the five figures to demand from any vendor in writing, and the formulas.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/lims-roi-how-to-build-a-number-your-cfo-will-accept/116395/feed/ 0 https://www.limsforum.com/the-2026-laboratory-compliance-calendar-every-deadline-and-where-it-actually-stands/116393/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-2026-laboratory-compliance-calendar-every-deadline-and-where-it-actually-stands https://www.limsforum.com/the-2026-laboratory-compliance-calendar-every-deadline-and-where-it-actually-stands/116393/#respond Mon, 10 Aug 2026 17:57:40 +0000 https://www.limsforum.com/the-2026-laboratory-compliance-calendar-every-deadline-and-where-it-actually-stands/116393/ Six dated entries, each with current status. The FDA's LDT rule is vacated, not delayed. The BIOSECURE Act is law but not yet operative. And ISO/IEC 17025 was not revised in 2025, despite widespread reporting to the contrary. The next hard date is 18 December 2026, and most of these frameworks ask for the same four records.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/the-2026-laboratory-compliance-calendar-every-deadline-and-where-it-actually-stands/116393/feed/ 0 https://www.limsforum.com/116342-2/116342/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=116342-2 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:10:15 +0000 https:/?p=116342 EPA has proposed pushing PFAS treatment compliance to 2031 and rescinding four of the six regulated analytes, but neither proposal moves the monitoring date. Initial results are still due to the state by April 26, 2027. LabLynx breaks down the sampling schedules, what UCMR 5 data can still count for, and where the deadline actually gets missed.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/116315-2/116315/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=116315-2 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:20:37 +0000 https:/?p=116315 The FDA pushed its Food Traceability Rule to July 2028, but Kroger, Walmart, Sam's Club, Albertsons, Target, and KeHE never moved theirs, and most now require traceability data on all foods rather than only listed ones. This breaks down what the retailer requirements actually involve, where an ASN build leaves lab records unjoined, and what to fix first.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/116277-2/116277/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=116277-2 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:57:42 +0000 https:/?p=116277 Most labs delay leaving spreadsheets and Access not over cost, but over the fear that switching systems means stopping work. LabLynx explains how a phased migration to a LIMS runs alongside the old setup, moving one workflow at a time so samples keep flowing and the lab never goes dark, while dirty data gets cleaned before anything moves.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/116253-2/116253/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=116253-2 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:44:59 +0000 https:/?p=116253 Most labs are not replacing an old system, they are running on spreadsheets, paper logs, and a shared drive only one person understands. That works until sample volume climbs or an auditor wants a full history. LabLynx walks through five repetitive tasks a LIMS takes off your team, so analysts spend their day on science instead of data entry.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/116231-2/116231/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=116231-2 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 14:40:37 +0000 https:/?p=116231 LIMS pricing varies widely based on users, configuration, instruments, hosting, and compliance needs. This piece breaks down the four cost components every proposal includes and explains why the lowest quote often costs more over time. It also shows where LabLynx publishes fixed pricing and how to get a real number for your lab.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/116200-2/116200/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=116200-2 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:55:08 +0000 https:/?p=116200 Most labs adopting their first LIMS are not replacing old software, they are moving off spreadsheets, paper logs, and an Access database nobody fully understands. The hard part is not deciding to move, it is moving without stopping the lab. This piece shows how a phased transition keeps the lab running, what happens to existing data, and how long the switch takes.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/116108-2/116108/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=116108-2 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:59:44 +0000 https:/?p=116108 Every year, labs invest in software they don't fully need or skip software they desperately do, and both mistakes carry real financial consequences. LIMS and ELN sound similar but solve fundamentally different problems. This LabLynx guide breaks down what each system delivers, when you need both, and how to make a confident, ROI-driven decision.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/116079-2/116079/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=116079-2 Fri, 29 May 2026 16:36:31 +0000 https:/?p=116079 Laboratories generate massive volumes of data, yet many still manage it with paper records and scattered spreadsheets. Modern LIMS and ELN systems offer automation, security, and scalability that older methods cannot match. This article explores why making the transition is essential for any lab seeking higher productivity, accuracy, and compliance.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/116026-2/116026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=116026-2 Fri, 15 May 2026 04:10:01 +0000 https:/?p=116026 Most labs without a LIMS run on spreadsheets and paper, until an assessor asks for the full sample history. Disconnected records, manual transcription, broken chain of custody, and corrective actions buried in email all weaken audit defensibility. Five common traceability failures and how a system of record closes the gaps.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/116006-2/116006/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=116006-2 https://www.limsforum.com/116006-2/116006/#respond Mon, 11 May 2026 16:26:42 +0000 https://www.limsforum.com/?p=116006 Discover the LabLynx ELabELN Solution, a cloud-based electronic lab notebook that goes beyond traditional ELNs. This presentation shows how ELabELN works with LabDrive, LabVia, and LabVista as a complete data management platform with professional reporting, instrument integration, and audit-ready compliance on an ELN-sized budget.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/116006-2/116006/feed/ 0 https://www.limsforum.com/116003-2/116003/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=116003-2 https://www.limsforum.com/116003-2/116003/#respond Mon, 11 May 2026 16:22:28 +0000 https://www.limsforum.com/?p=116003 Most labs we talk to are tracking samples in spreadsheets and filing chain-of-custody on paper. That works until an assessor asks for the complete history of a sample and the answer is a scavenger hunt. This piece walks through five traceability failures we see repeatedly and what changes when the lab has a system of record.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/116003-2/116003/feed/ 0 https://www.limsforum.com/115974-2/115974/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=115974-2 https://www.limsforum.com/115974-2/115974/#respond Fri, 08 May 2026 04:09:19 +0000 https://www.limsforum.com/?p=115974 A2LA publishes its Top 10 ISO/IEC 17025 deficiencies. ANAB reports 548 nonconformities across 543 forensic testing and calibration assessments in 2025. Both bodies point at the same pressure: continuous evidence of records, equipment, competence, and traceability. This whitepaper goes inside that data, with five failure modes, why they recur, and the fix.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/115974-2/115974/feed/ 0 https://www.limsforum.com/115834/115834/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=115834 https://www.limsforum.com/115834/115834/#respond Fri, 01 May 2026 04:10:20 +0000 https://www.limsforum.com/?p=115834 With an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 unfilled laboratory positions across the U.S. and Canada, the staffing crisis is structural, not temporary. The smartest labs in 2026 are shifting their strategy from hiring alone to automating manual workflows, digitizing institutional knowledge, and using LIMS and ELN tools to recover 20-30% of operational capacity.[Read More]]]> https://www.limsforum.com/115834/115834/feed/ 0