Market Profile: Laboratory Information Management Systems

With accountability and regulatory compliance being such a large part of the modern laboratory, the necessity for a laboratory information management system (LIMS) cannot be understated. LIMS software allows a laboratory to manage both logistic and analytical data, along with having the ability to interface with corporate reporting software, instruments, and a host of other software modules.

LIMS software is used in both small and large companies to allow its users to automatically input data, store and archive information, track samples, and easily generate reports. LIMS products in the market vary widely in cost, sophistication, and industrial focus.

In a recent survey from Strategic Directions International, about 355 LIMS managers and knowledgeable users were questioned about their needs, capabilities, and trends relating to the LIMS market. These surveys also provided a great deal of insight into user opinions about leading companies. In fact, when asked to indicate the top criteria when choosing a LIMS vendor, the two most frequently mentioned responses were service and support, and responsiveness and reliability of the LIMS vendors. These criteria have become increasingly important over the years, partly because the magnitude of LIMS installations and the vital role they play in everyday laboratory decisions.

Region distribution of LIMS survey respondents (N = 355).

The respondents were also asked to rate their satisfaction with a wide array of product and vendor characteristics using a set rating scale. Vendor reputation, long-term commitment, and initial installation support were the highest-rated vendor characteristics.

The accompanying figure shows the regional distribution of respondents to the survey. North America represented the largest segment of respondents. Asia-Pacific and Europe accounted for 18% and 17%, respectively. The remaining 21% comprised participants from Latin America and the rest of the world, which includes the African continent and the Middle East.

The foregoing data were extracted from SDi's Tactical Sales and Marketing (TSM) report entitled 2013 Lab Informatics Survey of End-Users. For more information, visit www.strategic-directions.com