Abstract

Laboratory information management systems (LIMS) are used to acquire, store, and manage data generated in the laboratory. A modern laboratory might implement a LIMS to automate data collection and dissemination, ensure product quality, or comply with U.S. federal government regulations. In the past, most LIMS were highly customized packages residing in mainframe computers or minicomputers. More recently, the proliferation of personal computers and local area networks has resulted in LIMS products which provide more flexible user interfaces on a familiar computer platform. However, the number of possible choices has reinforced the need to assemble a complete functional specification for the LIMS before vendors are contacted.