Data Quality Archives - INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE

How a LIMS addresses six common laboratory management challenges

Sharon Williams — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:01:50 +0000

Modern laboratories operate in fast-paced, data-driven environments where efficiency, accuracy, and compliance are critical. Whether in research, testing, diagnostics, or manufacturing, laboratories face increasing demands to process more samples, deliver faster results, and maintain impeccable data integrity, often with limited time and resources. A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) provides a centralised digital platform to manage samples, data, and workflows. By automating manual processes and embedding compliance within everyday operations, a LIMS enables laboratories to achieve higher levels of productivity and quality. In this article, we focus on how a modern LIMS helps address six of the most common management challenges faced by laboratories today. 1. Why modern laboratories need a LIMS Many laboratories still rely on spreadsheets or disconnected systems to manage samples and data. While these methods may have worked for smaller or less complex data requirements, they quickly struggle to keep up with the growing complexity of modern laboratory operations. A LIMS replaces manual, fragmented processes with structured, automated workflows. It manages the complete lifecycle of every sample, from receipt and testing through to reporting and archiving, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and full traceability. By connecting instruments, automating data capture, and providing a single source of truth, a […]

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Why Searching Matters – How Achiever Medical LIMS Does It

Ann-Marie Lee — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 16:58:26 +0000

No way to search using the information you have available? Constrained by search logic or unsure what the logic is? Have to search again to find related records? Not only are the above annoying and time consuming, but risk duplication with the wrong records being updated, misreporting, loss of data integrity and an admin overhead. Achiever Medical LIMS provides a flexible and reliable search mechanism, designed to avoid the above. Standard search grids and tickers provide pre-filtered, focussed starting points Search bars give you control over the search logic and conditions available Default search values and standardised search lists, avoid unnecessary typing and ensure you use the values that were used on data entry Display columns with filters provide additional layers of searching A key word search can be enabled A Query builder where bespoke queries can be built, including the ability to search for null values Achiever Medical LIMS supervisors can be shown how to evolve the searching provided, to match business processes Fundamental record result grids display a preview, where you access commonly used functions Results grids contain links to open the record being looked for, alongside links to related records Records themselves have drill-thrus and further search […]

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Who Has Time to Cleanse Date/Time Data?

Gary Rooksby — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 10:00:03 +0000

Text data that needs to be matched with pre-defined data sets is often seen as most challenging. But what about innocuous date and time fields – surely they can’t be difficult? Oh yes they can! Here are four tips to avoid many potholes and maintain data accuracy. Tip 1 – Be consistent There are two distinct types of time-related data – points in time and durations. Points in time, such as dates of birth may simply require the date. However, sometimes a time element is very important e.g. when a sample was taken or frozen. Always use the same data type for storage – “Datetime” is best. Durations are more challenging. You need to be clear about the accuracy you need. Do you need a number of hours, minutes or seconds or even higher accuracy? Once you have your definition you must stick strictly to it for that field. You can then record the number of units – the lowest unit e.g. seconds, as an integer. Tip 2 – How are empty values interpreted? The rules around what “empty” means can be vague for date fields and this is the most common issue. However, making such a field mandatory doesn’t […]

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5 Tips on Cleansing External Data Before Importing into a LIMS

Gary Rooksby — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 11:43:19 +0000

You have a data set and you know what your target LIMS system can import. So, how do you turn one into the other? It can be a real challenge to manipulate data files and half the problem is understanding the assumptions and implicit rules in the original. We briefly covered those in an earlier blog (Overcoming the Challenges of Cleansing Data to Import into a LIMS) so let’s think about the specifics. 1. Understand fully what is required Understand the required resulting format fully so that you have a clear target towards which you can work. And don’t try to use one tool for every task. Excel is great for many things but not all. It’s not good, for example, at differentiating and processing empty text values mixed with null values. A free utility such as Notepad++ is much better for that but can’t do pivot tables. Use the right tool for the job. 2. Data types Be clear about whether a particular field in your new system is expecting just a date or a date and time. SQL databases tend to use the same underlying data type and reformat the output. Input, however, is much fussier. Be consistent. […]

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Overcoming the Challenges of Cleansing Data to Import into a LIMS

Gary Rooksby — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 10:35:12 +0000

Imagine you need to import a data set into your Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Perhaps you’re taking on a new study and need the historic data or are merging labs with another team. Whatever the cause the result is the same. You’ve got a spreadsheet of data of unknown quality that needs to be “knocked into shape” before import. What do you do? Where do you even start when it comes to cleansing data to import into a LIMS? 1. Understand what each column is supposed to represent You need to properly understand what the data means. Whether you’ve got Yes/No, Y/N or 1/0, you need to know what this meant to the team entering the data originally. If the fields are, say, consent options then does “Yes” mean the donor opted in or opted out? It’s very important to understand the meaning. And what do you do with an empty value? 2. Agree your terminology Choose the list of valid options. The technical term is ontology. These are often already set up in your LIMS, although they’re not always complete. You may be expanding the scope of your data with, say, a new study so new picklist options […]

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Planning for Data Quality with Limited Resources

Gary Rooksby — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:47:04 +0000

Whose job description includes “ensure that the data you use and record is of maximum quality”? Not many. However, it’s an absolute requirement of pretty much anybody in the modern workplace. Data is king. Good data can inform business decisions that bring immense success. But, equally, bad data can cripple a business. So, we know it’s important but we will rarely have time to stop our daily job and work on improving the quality of data we already hold. We need tweaks to our processes that maximise quality as we go along. Assign Ownership Who’s responsible for the data that needs to be cleansed? If it’s “everybody” then nobody will take responsibility. Ensure that for each piece of data your whole team knows who, specifically, is responsible for its quality. Think what it’s needed for and by whom If a set of data has only a single use or few users then it’s easy to scope the data quality requirements. If it’s for general use by many users then you need to think harder about accuracy, completeness, period of validity, etc. Understand limits to quality of existing data If you’ve inherited a set of really poor data then consider the […]

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5 Signs it’s Time to Ditch the Spreadsheets and Invest in a LIMS

Sharon Williams — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 12:53:33 +0000

Everyone loves a spreadsheet. It’s easy to add data in to as well as update. In fact, they work acceptably well – up to a point. But when they do fail the impact can be catastrophic with data being truncated, inaccurate or not even being saved. What’s worse is that you might not notice this until weeks later. Wouldn’t it be great if you could do something before you reach that point? Here’s 5 signs that it might be time to ditch the spreadsheets and invest in a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) or sample management system. 1. The number of samples you’re processing is increasing Manually entering data in a spreadsheet for tens of samples is very different to adding data for thousands, or even tens of thousands, of samples. It’s not just the quality of your data that starts to suffer as the numbers increase. It’s also questionable – as well as impossible to track – whether you’re actually capturing all your samples. Also, spreadsheets have a limit – after which it’s anyone guess as to whether your data is being saved or truncated. When you start managing and processing samples at scale software such as a LIMS […]

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5 Reasons Why Data Quality Matters in the Lab

Sharon Williams — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 15:11:21 +0000

Many laboratories invest in and use state of the art equipment to process and analyse samples. These highly sophisticated pieces of kit can efficiently handle large volumes of samples. They can complete very intricate – as well as repetitive – processes, saving you valuable time. Plus, their accuracy can help improve quality in your lab operations. What’s more, they can carry out tasks that you just couldn’t do manually. Although they’re expensive you can easily see their worth. But, ultimately, the most important thing they deliver is information. So, why would you risk impacting the quality of that information by manually re-entering it into a spreadsheet or legacy database? When assessing lab data quality it’s not just about its accuracy but also its integrity, completeness, auditability, formatting, consistency and standardisation. Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) or off-the-shelf Sample Management software can help you manage and improve the quality of your data. But investing in these systems is often given a lower priority than other lab equipment. Here’s 5 reasons why data quality matters in the lab and why you may want to consider a system to support your data management activities. 1. Making sure you use those valuable samples You […]

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How a LIMS Helps You Manage Quality Control in Your Lab or Biobank

Sharon Williams — Mon, 25 May 2020 08:00:23 +0000

Many labs and Biobanks choose to implement a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to help them meet regulatory compliance. When you’re frantically preparing for the auditor’s visit it’s difficult to remember that the purpose of regulation and compliance is to ensure quality and safety. When using spreadsheets to track your samples and lab processes, it’s often impossible to record everything. And what you do capture may not be consistently recorded. Without accurate and complete data, you may lack confidence in your samples, processes and results. It might also take you longer to find the samples you need to carry out your work. Likewise, if you’re using several separate systems with information diluted or, even worse, duplicated across your labs. A LIMS system is designed to centralise your data, improving its integrity and quality. But a LIMS just doesn’t help with quality control in data – it also helps monitor your processes, samples, equipment and team. Plus, it helps instil consistency by enforcing your processes. All this helps you to meet regulatory compliance and manage quality in your lab. The importance of data You rely on your data to help make important decisions and assess the performance of your lab or […]

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Using a LIMS to Remove Data Silos in Your Lab and Biobank

Sharon Williams — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 08:00:06 +0000

A modern laboratory information management system (LIMS) helps you remove data silos in your Biobank and lab. Consolidating your data into one centralised system. As a result, you can reduce administrative overheads, improve quality, increase efficiency and protect sensitive information. When it comes to working with a spreadsheet a common problem is making sure everyone is adding information to it in the same way. Another is sticking to just the one spreadsheet. Invariably what you end up with is everyone maintaining their own spreadsheets, each with their own rules, terminology and classifications. As a result, you have the same samples registered in several spreadsheets. And if you’re using an in-house built system, unless you’re constantly maintaining and updating it to meet new or changing requirements it can quickly become obsolete. Sometimes forcing you to revert back to using spreadsheets again. So now you’re holding data all over the place making it difficult to find anything and impossible to control. A LIMS solves this by standardising and centralising your data into a single system. Centralising your Biobank and lab data into a LIMS to remove data silos One of the key roles of a LIMS is to help centralise your Biobank […]

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