Software as a Service (SaaS) is an on-demand software model, which allows users to subscribe to and access a variety of software applications via the Internet, instead of a physical on-site installation. In the case of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), users can configure the LIMS and access data through a web browser. The LIMS is hosted by a service provider and subscribed to by labs that pay a monthly fee.

LIMS SaaS can be compelling, particularly due to its low up-front cost. LIMS SaaS’s subscription rates vary by the number of users, but typically hover around $300 per month, with $1,000–$3,000 in setup fees. In contrast, depending on the number of users, a traditional LIMS may exceed $500,000. Unlimited upgrades, maintenance and scalability are other benefits of LIMS SaaS. Because the software is hosted on a off-site server, the LIMS vendor, not the user, is primarily responsible for upgrades and maintenance. The LIMS SaaS can also be cancelled anytime, which provides vendors with more incentive to frequently upgrade and maintain it. Other benefits of on-demand LIMS service include higher security, no on-site hardware installations and faster implementation.

As with all technologies, LIMS SaaS has its share of shortcomings. Because the software is installed on a remote server, the in-house IT engineers do not have full access to the back-end. In addition, LIMS SaaS lacks many of the customization capabilities and flexibility of its in-house counterpart. Many LIMS SaaS users may also encounter other obstacles such as regulatory certification requirements and the need to overhaul their network infrastructure to create a more reliable data-delivery platform.

There are only a handful of vendors providing LIMS SaaS platforms. LabLynx offers both an enterprise LIMS and web-hosted SaaS LIMS. Its webLIMS platform is designed to work with labs in various industries, both large and small. Similarly, the LIMS SaaS from Bika Lab Systems is capable of accommodating an unlimited number of users. The company has on-demand LIMS platforms for different applications, including food and beverage, geology and mining, generic chemistry, health, and proficiency testing. The company also provides optional modules. Sciformatix’s sciLIMS comes in a variety of configurations. Its Samples Edition Lite, the most basic configuration, accommodates up to three users and 1,000 sample records. There is no user limit to the Professional Edition.

LIMS SaaS is a young and burgeoning area of the management informatics market. The technology’s proliferation is largely dependant upon the acceptance of the web-based LIMS concept by users and by the vendors’ marketing strategies. Users will have to become comfortable with the idea that their proprietary data is held off site by a third party. Market growth in the near future is expected to stem from small- to medium-size labs, start-up companies, and first-time LIMS users.

LIMS SaaS at a Glance:

Leading Suppliers

• LabLynx

• Bika Lab Systems

• Sciformatix

Largest Markets

• Biopharmaceutical

• Environmental

• Food and Beverage

Subscription Price

• $150–$1,000+/Monthly