{"id":38446,"date":"2026-09-30T10:08:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T10:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.accevo.com\/glossary\/what-is-a-laboratory-information-management-system-lims\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T10:09:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T10:09:56","slug":"what-is-a-laboratory-information-management-system-lims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/glossary\/what-is-a-laboratory-information-management-system-lims\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)<\/strong> is software for managing laboratory samples, tests, results and the records that connect them. It gives a sample an identifiable path from receipt through testing, review and reporting. In manufacturing, quality laboratories may use LIMS to manage incoming-material, in-process and finished-product tests.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A LIMS is more than a results database. Its value depends on clear sample identities, approved methods, controlled workflows and reliable links between people, instruments, specifications and decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/shutterstock_1268263864-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Laboratory worker using a microscope and computer\" class=\"wp-image-21116\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/shutterstock_1268263864-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/shutterstock_1268263864-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/shutterstock_1268263864-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/shutterstock_1268263864-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/shutterstock_1268263864-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/shutterstock_1268263864-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/shutterstock_1268263864-18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Laboratory work produces results that need to stay linked to the correct sample, method and review record.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does a LIMS work?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exact workflow varies by laboratory, but a typical sample moves through five stages:<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Register:<\/strong> record the sample ID, source, collection or receipt time, material or product, and requested tests.<\/li><li><strong>Assign:<\/strong> select the approved method, specification, analyst, due date and any required preparation.<\/li><li><strong>Capture:<\/strong> enter results or receive them from connected instruments, preserving units, timestamps and context.<\/li><li><strong>Review:<\/strong> check completeness, calculations, limits, exceptions and any investigation before approval.<\/li><li><strong>Report:<\/strong> release an authorised result or certificate and retain the record according to policy.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"620\" src=\"https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lims-sample-to-result-workflow.png\" alt=\"Illustrative graph of a LIMS workflow from sample registration to report release, with an exception investigation path\" class=\"wp-image-38434\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lims-sample-to-result-workflow.png 1600w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lims-sample-to-result-workflow-450x174.png 450w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lims-sample-to-result-workflow-1024x397.png 1024w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lims-sample-to-result-workflow-768x298.png 768w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lims-sample-to-result-workflow-1536x595.png 1536w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lims-sample-to-result-workflow-18x7.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Illustrative sample-to-result workflow. An exception can require investigation before a result is released.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A sample that fails a specification is not simply changed to \u201cpass.\u201d The laboratory follows its approved procedure for investigation, repeat testing where justified and disposition. LIMS can keep the sample, original result, subsequent work and approvals connected.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What information can a LIMS manage?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the implementation, a LIMS can hold sample locations and status, test requests, method versions, instrument and reagent details, raw or calculated results, specifications, review actions, audit history and reports. Some laboratories also use it for stability studies, environmental monitoring, inventory or instrument scheduling. These are implementation choices, not universal features of every LIMS.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1919\" height=\"1079\" src=\"https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pharma-Laboratory.jpg\" alt=\"Illustrative laboratory sample manager interface with sample records and test results\" class=\"wp-image-32652\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pharma-Laboratory.jpg 1919w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pharma-Laboratory-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pharma-Laboratory-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pharma-Laboratory-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pharma-Laboratory-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/accevo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pharma-Laboratory-18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1919px) 100vw, 1919px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Illustrative Accevo sample manager screen showing how sample status and test results can be organised.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LIMS compared with MES, EBR and ELN<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/%e8%af%8d%e6%b1%87%e8%a1%a8\/%e5%88%b6%e9%80%a0%e6%89%a7%e8%a1%8c%e7%b3%bb%e7%bb%9f\/\">\u5236\u9020\u6267\u884c\u7cfb\u7edf\uff08MES\uff09<\/a> coordinates and records production work on the shop floor. LIMS focuses on laboratory samples and test results. An <a href=\"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/%e8%af%8d%e6%b1%87%e8%a1%a8\/what-are-electronic-batch-records-ebr\/\">electronic batch record (EBR)<\/a> brings together the production evidence needed for a batch review; it may receive approved quality results from LIMS. An electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) is commonly used for experiment notes and scientific work, while LIMS usually centres on structured sample and test workflows. The boundaries can overlap, so assess the actual functions and data ownership of each system.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Benefits and limits of LIMS<\/h2>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Traceability:<\/strong> follow a sample and its test history from receipt to authorised report.<\/li><li><strong>Consistency:<\/strong> use controlled methods, units, fields and review steps.<\/li><li><strong>Visibility:<\/strong> see pending tests, exceptions and turnaround status.<\/li><li><strong>Less manual transfer:<\/strong> instrument and system integrations can reduce re-entry where they are correctly configured.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">LIMS does not make a laboratory compliant or its results correct by itself. Poor sample labelling, unsuitable methods, incorrect master data and weak review can still produce unreliable records. The system must support the laboratory\u2019s procedures and quality controls, and staff need to use them.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should a manufacturer plan before implementation?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Map the journey of a real sample, including relabelling, aliquots, repeats, rejected samples and out-of-specification results. Define sample identifiers, master data, approved methods, roles, result review and reporting rules. Decide which system owns each record and which integrations are necessary with instruments, MES, ERP or EBR. For regulated use, assess validation, access control, audit trails, electronic signatures, backup and retention against the applicable <a href=\"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/%e8%af%8d%e6%b1%87%e8%a1%a8\/what-is-gxp\/\">GxP<\/a> requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a product-focused overview, see <a href=\"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/%e6%8c%81%e7%bb%ad%e6%94%b9%e8%bf%9b\/%e5%ae%9e%e9%aa%8c%e5%ae%a4-%e4%bf%a1%e6%81%af%e7%ae%a1%e7%90%86%e7%b3%bb%e7%bb%9f-%e9%99%90%e5%88%b6%e7%b3%bb%e7%bb%9f\/\">Accevo\u2019s LIMS system<\/a>. For a general explanation of LIMS workflow, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/reach.cdc.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/video-transcripts\/What%20is%20a%20LIMS_508.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CDC\u2019s LIMS introduction<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn what a LIMS does, how samples move from registration to approved results, how it differs from MES and EBR, and what to plan before implementation.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21116,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wpai_generated_summary":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38446","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-glossary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38446","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38446"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38446\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38446"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38446"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accevo.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38446"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}