Key Benefits of a Cloud-based LIMS

There is a massive influx of data in modern labs on a day to day basis. Automation is pivotal for enhancing efficiency of such laboratories, managing big data, and for maximizing return on investment. A cloud-based LIMS enables you to effectively manage samples and associated data such sample source, storage information, etc., thereby automating lab workflows and streamlining lab operations.

Security of laboratory data is a top priority for all laboratories. The high security demand places a substantial IT and infrastructural burden on laboratories managing their data using on-premise LIMS, besides drastically increasing the total cost of ownership. A cloud-based LIMS is hosted on a highly secure cloud server and imparts zero-footprint on the end-user’s IT infrastructure. The data transmission across the web is secured using standard encryption technologies. This facilitates secure access of your data, 24X7, using any internet-ready device.

The cloud service providers have a disaster recovery plan and a separate data backup center. Your data is automatically backed up on remote mirror servers positioned at disparate geographical locations, thus eliminating any apprehensions pertaining to data loss owing to fire, theft or natural calamities.

HIPAA Compliance: The confidentiality of electronic protected health information (ePHI) is pivotal for laboratories or entities storing and transmitting sensitive patient data. To ensure privacy of patients, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has mandated such entities to follow HIPAA guidelines. You can seamlessly follow HIPAA guidelines and safeguard Protected Health Information (PHI) from unauthorized personnel using a cloud-based LIMS.

Audit Trail: A granular history of the various laboratory activities performed by all users and tracking of any changes made to the LIMS data are required to meet audit requirements. A cloud-based LIMS enables you to meet these requirements and generate an audit report as well as send notifications or emails for activities performed in the lab.

Your laboratory data management needs are dynamic. It is imperative to zero-in on a LIMS that can evolve with your changing needs. A cloud-based LIMS allows the flexibility and scalability to add or reduce users, features, and storage space, thereby helping you to meet the present and future needs of your laboratory. This functionality is particularly useful for a commercial LIMS, where you do not end up paying for unused resources that are allocated looking at the future needs of a lab. You scale only when it is needed.

A cloud-based LIMS facilitates users to store their data on a secure cloud server which acts as a central repository. Users can access and share their data in real-time with their colleagues across multiple laboratories using any internet-ready device. This reduces turnaround time and accelerates R&D.