New York, NY 6/1/17—Professional services firm Accenture has agreed to acquire LabAnswer, a provider of consulting services for lab informatics technology, including LIMS and chromatography data systems. Financial details were not disclosed. Based in Texas and serving multiple industries, LabAnswer has 250 employees. Accenture plans to establish Accenture Scientific Informatics Services, which will combine LabAnswer’s capabilities with Accenture’s R&D informatics expertise to assist life science companies in capturing, managing, integrating and analyzing research data. “This acquisition is part of our strategy to be a leading provider of scientific and laboratory consulting and technology services to a variety of innovation-based industries,” stated Kevin Julian, leader of Accenture’s Life Sciences practice in North America. “By connecting these services to our existing capabilities, we will be able to help our clients improve their end-to-end R&D efficiency and decision-making.”

Accenture’s investment represents greater competition for lab data services in a broad array of industries. LabAnswer currently works with a number of major instrument firms, providing services such as installation, interfacing and maintenance. LabAnswer competes with other LIMS consulting companies, as well as companies that offer both LIMS products and consulting services.