LIMS vs. LIS: Which is Right for Your Lab?

How much of a difference can one letter make? 

Changing 'love' to 'loved' by removing the letter 'd' changes a story quite a bit. Similarly, removing the 'M' from 'LIMS' turns it into a different type of software platform.

In this article, we’ll break down how a LIMS and LIS differ, which types of labs they are best suited for, and how to decide which to choose for your lab. 

What is a LIMS

A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is a comprehensive software platform designed to manage and track samples, tests, and results throughout the entire lab workflow. 

LIMS are information management and automation powerhouses for modern labs. They are highly flexible and configurable for a wide range of industries and use cases. Many labs, from biotech to food and beverage, use a LIMS to manage inventory, automate processes, and even support billing and invoicing.

Some of the top features of a LIMS include:

• Sample management and tracking
• Workflow automation and optimization
• Instrument integration and data capture
• Quality control and assurance
• Reporting and data analysis

A LIMS can be a game-changer for labs. The right LIMS can save time, reduce manual data entry errors, and even help you meet compliance standards. 

What is a LIS

LIS stands for “Laboratory Information System.” The only word missing from the name is “management,” so how different could these platforms be?

It turns out, by quite a lot. 

A LIS is a specialized software platform primarily used in medical and clinical laboratories. A LIS is designed to manage patient data, test orders, and results, ensuring seamless integration with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems.

Like a LIMS, a LIS stores and manages information for a lab. However, a LIS is specialized to store:

• Patient data management
• Test ordering and scheduling
• Results reporting and delivery
• Billing and insurance processing
• Compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., HIPAA, CLIA)

A LIS plays an important role in streamlining the workflow of medical labs, enabling faster and more accurate diagnoses and treatment decisions.

LIMS vs. LIS: When Do You Need One?

It depends on what type of lab you run and the type of information you need to store. 

We recommend you consider a LIMS if your lab:

• Handles a diverse range of sample types and testing methodologies
• Requires extensive customization and flexibility in workflow management
• Deals with complex regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., FDA, EPA)
• Needs advanced data analysis and reporting capabilities

For example, an environmental testing laboratory would want to use a LIMS to track water samples from collection to reporting. This allows them to manage sample data, automate their workflow, integrate with analytical instruments, and generate compliance reports.

On the other hand, a LIS is the better choice if your lab:

• Primarily focuses on healthcare-related patient testing and results delivery (often at lower volumes)
• Requires seamless integration with EHR systems and other healthcare IT infrastructure
• Deals with highly standardized testing procedures
• Must comply with strict medical data privacy and security regulations

For example, a hospital clinical laboratory would want to use a LIS to manage patient blood tests. The LIS can receive test orders from the hospital, track samples through the testing process, automatically report results back to patient records, and alert physicians of critical values.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help make your decision.

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If you’re still caught between the two, we recommend you consider the following:

• Need: Beyond storing patient/test/sample information, what else does your lab need to do? For instance, do you need to run reports or automate processes? Perhaps you may need to provide an external portal for customers or patients to log into. If your lab has a more diverse set of needs then a LIMS may be a better fit.
• Budget: As with any software, you should consider the costs of implementing and maintaining the platform you choose. 
• Scalability: While your lab may have a specific set of needs now, do you anticipate them changing in the future? While it’s impossible to anticipate every future need, you should make sure that the platform you choose today does not limit you tomorrow (or within the next year).

New to LIMS? Download our LIMS Buyer’s Guide

Between implementation, training, and adoption, the switching costs of software for your lab can be high. 

That’s why it’s so important to make an informed decision. A LIMS is an extremely powerful tool for modern labs, but only if it’s the right tool for your use case and needs. If you’re still on the fence about choosing a LIMS for your lab or are new to this space, then check out our LIMS Buyer’s Guide. 

Learn about the different types of LIMS, what features to look for, and how to make the right choice for your lab.