LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) products have been around for decades. Like most products, they began with someone writing software to meet a company’s specific needs.

LIMS products vary from software for small laboratories to systems for enterprise-class distribution, where large implementations can cost millions of dollars and encompass licensing, training, validation and all the other services required.

A quick snapshot of the latest offerings from the major LIMS vendors.

The latest ELNs now support the convergence of instruments, software and R&D workflows in an electronic lab environment.

Reliably tracking samples as they make their way throughout the scientific process is difficult yet absolutely necessary. Nevertheless, transcription errors, wrong versions of files or other mistakes are all too common and can lead to delayed product rollouts—or may even result in a product never making it to market.

As sites and tools for online networking and collaboration evolve, they are gaining a permanent place in most laboratories and businesses.