An update on laboratory information management systems.

The realization that a laboratory is an effective information generator within an organization has begun to influence the functions required of a laboratory information management system (LIMS): different laboratories require different functions. The trends in general computing such as open systems, adoption of relational database technology, and the use of more efficient development languages, are also impacting on the development of LIMS. These trends, plus the development of standards for both LIMS and analytical data interchange, will allow the development of systems that are quicker to implement, easier to maintain and meet the business need better.