Thin LIMS, Thick LIMS Webinar

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VelQuest Webinars

Webinar: Thin LIMS vs. Thick LIMS Implementation Strategies for Quality Control Labs

This webinar will examine the benefits of a "thin" LIMS by limiting LIMS project scope to static data and supervisory functions available "out of the box" with limited customization. By following this strategy, a rapid and successful LIMS deployment can be achieved.

The information contained in this web briefing was derived from one-on-one interviews with IT managers involved with traditional LIMS projects in cGMP quality operations.

LIMS functional requirements usually fall into 2 categories:

  • Lab Administration - Lab Administration tasks involve sample login and tracking, specification management, stability management and data reporting and trending.
  • Lab Execution - Lab Execution involves the work done at the lab bench by QC analysts. This might include execution of calibration procedures, cleaning procedures, weighing steps, dilutions, etc.

The key challenge in a "total LIMS plan" is connecting the administration tasks with the execution tasks. LIMS administration tasks are well defined and generally first to implement. LIMS products have these functions available "out of the box".

Lab Execution tasks are much more difficult to automate.  LIMS vendors and consultants often understate the significant customization costs required to connect lab instruments and create electronic data entry forms required to automate lab workflow. This is even more pronounced in labs operating under cGMP compliance guidelines.

Extensive customization results in bloated LIMS deployments that run 2-5 times the original estimates in time and budget for completion.  When faced with these overruns, labs are often left with an incomplete LIMS deployment or a hybrid system that still requires analysts to document activities in paper notebooks and logbooks, thus defeating the purpose of implementing the LIMS in the first place.

The ultimate value of your LIMS includes both the administrative controls and the productivity gains of your lab staff in executing the test methods with the minimization of compliance risks in proper documetation under cGMP conditions.