LIMSzine
The following column is a wrap-up of the LIMS highlights, particularly
new product offerings, that occurred at the 1995 Pittsburgh Conference (Pittcon).
In particular it highlights new version upgrades, LIMS enhancements, and
the ability of existing products to build customer loyalty.
The LIMS industry is experiencing change and consolidation as it evolves,
most notably through the recent acquisition of Fisons by Thermo Instruments
which includes Fisons' LabSystems
unit. The consensus on the PittCon floor is that this acquisition is just
the vanguard for a general industry shakeup to come over the next 18 months.
While LIMS buyers will need to thoroughly query LIMS vendors regarding product
commitment and future service and support issues, these industry changes
will herald even better systems to come.
New systems were much in evidence at PittCon, including Fisons' new Microsoft®
Windows-based client/server ELIMS which provides integrated solutions for
the commercial environmental laboratory. Compliant with GLP/GALP standards,
ELIMS includes full data auditing, project level quoting and invoicing capabilities,
as well as LabQuery, a lab management tool that allows management-style
interrogations.
Other new systems included Telecation's new Conifer Windows-based LIMS.
Written in Microsoft Access®2.0, Conifer incorporates Microsoft standards
throughout and takes advantage of OLE2.0 object fields to incorporate non-database
objects into the LIMS database records. "For those who are ready to
accept the new world of multimedia information, you can even incorporate
audio and video clips," states Leigh Richardson, President of Telecation.
New Version Upgrades
Upgrades to new versions of existing LIMS products showed the efforts that
vendors have been putting into improving their product lines. PE Nelson
announced SQL*LIMS version 3.0, which is based on Oracle*Forms 4.5 and incorporates
a true Windows graphical user interface (GUI). A client/server system, version
3.0 utilizes next generation multithreaded technology, the open standards
of Oracle's relational database and CDE tools.
A new version 2.0 of their Windows-based Sample Master LIMS was demonstrated
by Accelerated Technology Labs. Based on Access®2.0, Sample Master now
offers project scheduling and QA/QC control chart functionality as well
as expanded custom report capabilities.
Autoscribe announced a new version 1.15 of their PC-based Matrix LIMS, which
includes a new Windows-based stability study module and the ability to utilize
electronic lab notebooks, giving Matrix greater functionality
QSI highlighted a new version 2.2 of WinLIMS, which makes the product easier
to use by adding internal mail, batch sample login, additional instrument
interfaces, a new multi-sample approval capability, new report features
and more.
LabWare Ltd revamped their client/server open architecture LIMS to capitalize
on open database connectivity (ODBC) technology. LabWare LIMS can now store
both images and text, and utilizes a separate database. In addition, Labware's
European operations have been greatly expanded with a new facility in Warrington,
U.K.
Numerous LIMS Enhancements
Enhancements that beefed up LIMS functionality were evident, particularly
Windows interfaces and ODBC abilities that make LIMS products more intuitive.
Both Baytek and Advanced Sample Management introduced new Windows interfaces
and open database capabilities for their LIMS.
Enhancements sometimes comprised a new instrument interface such as the
one which now allows Symmetry Software's SLIMS product to drop results into
worksheets and target out of spec samples, or several new features such
as LabTask's addition of ODBC, support for both alphabetic and text-type
results, direct faxing of analytical data, as well as the ability to incorporate
bar-coding into analyst worksheets to their LIMS. The trend was towards
product refinement and enhancement.
Analytical Automation Specialists
refined the instrument interface of their Labworks LIMS with features such
as QA/QC data calculations; new results and invoice template functionality;
and more Oracle ReportWriter features that allow the user to build reports
in Word using standard or user-created templates. In addition, a new LabWorks
Quotes capability is available that enables flexible bidding, quote, invoice,
and workload management capabilities
A new Internet capability was introduced by Automated Compliance Systems
for their ProLIMS client/server GUI-based offering that leverages the capabilities
of the Internet to provide technical support, product information, and online
access to methods, CAD files and more.
Hewlett-Packard (HP) is continuing
to incorporate more industry standards into their ChemLMS product and has
upgraded to Oracle 7.16, which includes Oracle ReportWriter and Oracle Data
Browser, a point and shoot ad hoc query tool. In addition, ChemLMS sports
a modified GUI that's motif-compliant and comes with more configurability
via macros to change screen formats to meet specific needs.
HP and Wesson Taylor Wells & Associates (WTW), an information technology
consulting and systems integration company, also recently announced the
signing of a channel partner program agreement whereby WTW will provide
systems integration and customization services for North American customers
who buy HP's ChemLMS LIMS.
Existing Products Continue to Build Loyalty
Axiom's LAB Maestro® client/server LIMS made its PittCon debut; Beckman
exhibited their LabManager C/S and PeakPro C/S products; Blaze highlighted
their BlazeLIMS product for multivendor environments; Laboratory Information
Management Systems, Inc. featured their lims+WARE® product for managing
sample information; Laboratory Microsystems conducted continuous demonstrations
of their LabVantage LIMS; Phoenix International featured their Scientific
Software LIMS; Varian Associates demonstrated their StarLIMS version 6.0
for Windows and DOS; Walsh Automation/LabSys highlighted their LIMS/400
product; Purvis exhibited their LIMS products; and Labtronics' LimsLink
product was displayed at several booths throughout the show.
Conclusion
Despite the changes on the horizon in the industry, LIMS vendors made a
strong showing at Pittcon. With the integration of new Oracle and Microsoft
database technology blazing the trail, vendors continue to incorporate easier-to-use
interfaces and and more features and lower costs.