Configured Software Archives - INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE

Empowering Users with a User-Configurable LIMS

Sharon Williams — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 09:20:44 +0000

Software configuration and customisation often conjures up images of IT teams diligently working away on some complicated piece of code. When it comes to choosing a Laboratory information management system (LIMS) most organisations list ‘configurable’ as a requirement. Being able to adapt a LIMS as your needs evolve will help protect your investment for the medium-, and possibly even, longer-term. Every LIMS is different. This also extends to what and how you can configure the solution. Most LIMS will offer some level of configuration to administrators. But trying to give every user exactly what they need can be complicated and time-consuming. So, what about empowering users with a user-configurable LIMS? Simplifying how users access the information they need A LIMS holds large data volumes that can be difficult for users to navigate and search. Enabling users to create saved queries for the data sets they use regularly helps improve system usability as well as productivity. Achiever Medical LIMS, for example, enables users to create and rerun saved queries whenever they need. Users can change the exact parameters, such as dates or status values, as the query runs. Plus, any queries that the user creates are based on any restrictions already […]

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Is Configuration the Answer to Creating a Sustainable LIMS?

Sharon Williams — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 08:00:53 +0000

Choosing to implement a laboratory information management system (LIMS) is a considered purchase. Although there are affordable options available for labs of all sizes such as those offered by cloud and hosted LIMS solutions, they still involve you investing your time and money. Firstly, you have to find the right solution, somehow import your data into the new system and then train your team. Having said all this the right system, implemented well, will bring many benefits. But before you choose it’s important you identify your individual return on investment (ROI) measures. And one of these, simply because of the cost of getting it up and running, might be to make sure your lab information management system is in place for several years. But for that to happen successfully the system must continue to meet your requirements as you change and grow. So, is configuration the answer to ensuring your LIMS is sustainable? The difference between configuration and customisation Let’s start at the beginning. Many laboratory information management systems allow you to make some changes. However, they don’t all offer the same level of changes, nor do they all make those changes in the same way. It’s also important to […]

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Benefits of Configurable LIMS and Biobanking Software

Gary Rooksby — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 09:00:07 +0000

When it comes to configurable Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Biobank Information Management System (BIMS) and Sample Tracking Software – “It Ain’t What You Do, It’s The Way That You Do It”… And as the old song continues, “…that’s what gets results”. Well, with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Biobanking software we know that everything is about results. If you’re in the market for a new system, then you need to be confident that any promised benefits will actually materialise. A configurable Biobanking system or LIMS can help you get the most from your investment by increasing the software’s longevity. As a result, the software continues to meet your requirements in the future. And if you can do this without investing in months of training or specialist developers this will keep costs down. But let’s face facts. Absolutely every LIMS or BIMS supplier says their system is “ultimately flexible” and “configurable to your exact needs”. So, how do you start to differentiate between all those wonderful claims? And what exactly does ‘configurable LIMS’ mean? Firstly, you need to understand the different configuration tools suppliers use in their systems. This allows you to validate those claims and understand which best […]

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To build or buy software? 5 common myths exposed

Sharon Williams — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 10:10:42 +0000

The question of whether to build or buy software can be difficult to answer. If you have a dedicated IT team the idea of creating your own system to manage your data and processes can seem attractive. The apparently long-winded process of sourcing software suppliers and products can seem time-intensive and expensive. Then, for off-the-shelf software, there is the associated time cost of your team gathering and documenting their requirements, software testing and training. This is all before you start adding in the cost of software licenses and ongoing support. Given all this, it is no surprise that many organisations choose to embark on building their own software. However, this is not the full picture. Many of the considerations and activities involved in choosing off-the-shelf software should also apply to creating your own systems. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and can lead to costly mistakes. Below we have outlined some of these common myths to help you make a balanced view when considering whether to create your own software. It is based on our 25+ years’ experience of implementing software, in many cases, replacing in-house built applications. Myth 1: It will be cheaper to build our own You already […]

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