Vendor:LabLynx, Inc.

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LabLynx, Inc.
Type Incorporated
Industry Laboratory informatics
Founded July 24, 2000[1]
Founder(s) John H. Jones
Headquarters 2400 Lake Park Drive
Smyrna, Georgia
, U.S.
Area served Worldwide
Products
Employees 15[2]
Website LabLynx.com

LabLynx, Inc. is a privately owned, funded, and managed American corporation that develops, supports, and markets laboratory information management system (LIMS) solutions. Its most well-known products include ELab, a browser-based LIMS, and webLIMS, which is ELab offered in a scalable, hosted "software as a service" (SaaS) delivery model. The company’s primary clients include laboratories in the agriculture, clinical, environmental, forensics, health care, and manufacturing industries, including government agencies.[3] The company is known for introducing one of the first browser-based LIMS products in 1997[4][5] and being a long-term player in the laboratory informatics market. It’s estimated that LabLynx employs fifteen people.[2]

History

Before LabLynx was a company, it was a LIMS product offered by Atlanta Systems Consultants, Inc. (ASC).[6][7] Formed in 1992,[8] ASC’s LabLynx division later began work on a laboratory information management system designed specifically for a web browser. ASC demonstrated its new Internet Explorer-based LabLynx LIMS at Pittcon in 1997, among the first browser-based LIMS to appear at the time.[4][5] The company again showcased LabLynx at Pittcon in 1998[9] and soon after picked up a major LIMS-based contract with the U.S. Customs Service.[10]

By July 2000, the LabLynx division of ASC separated to become its own incorporated entity.[1] And while ASC eventually ceased to exist in 2005,[8] LabLynx, Inc. went on to diversify its offerings. LabLynx’s browser-based LIMS previously demonstrated at Pittcon in 1997 expanded to become ELab, which in 2001 took on an application service provider (ASP) model of distribution.[11] In 2004 LabLynx released a browser-based tool called openLIMS, which gave consultants and end-users the ability "to build custom LIMS solutions that are geared to the exact operational needs of many different laboratories."[12]

On June 19, 2006, LabLynx established the Laboratory Informatics Institute, an open membership group with the purpose of advancing the field of laboratory informatics and shaping the standards associated with it.[13] LabLynx made further moves to better its LIMS offerings in August 2008, renewing and expanding its contract with Nagarro, Inc., a U.S.-based technology consulting firm. The collaboration allowed LabLynx to upgrade its existing LIMS software to .NET architecture and expand its initiative to create and market a SaaS-based LIMS.[14] Less than a year after the announced renewed partnership, LabLynx revealed its redeveloped webLIMS product to the public, featuring ELab in a SaaS model and additional integration of developer tools to allow users to create and modify modules for the LIMS.[15][16] This move to a cloud-based SaaS model brought renewed interest in the company’s LIMS, with clients like the Georgia Department of Agriculture[17] and Cypress Bioscience[18][19] taking on the new LIMS.

In 2011, LabLynx was involved in an initiative to standardize and structure the transmission of laboratory data that first originates in a LIMS or LIS and then moves to a person's or population of people's electronic health records.[20] This laboratory results interface (LRI) pilot began in August 2011 and included collaborations with the supported open source project mdDigest and the U.S. Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC).[21]

Community history

Since transitioning from Atlanta Systems Consultants, Inc. to LabLynx, Inc. in 2000, LabLynx has become increasingly active in the laboratory informatics community. Projects that LabLynx has started or been involved in within the community include:

  • the Laboratory Informatics Institute, an open trade association with the mission of educating, standardizing, and promoting the laboratory informatics industry[13]
  • LIMSfinder, an online interactive magazine released by the Laboratory Informatics Institute that aims to be "the best resource for information technology in the laboratory"[22]
  • LIMSbook, a LIMS buyer’s guide released by the Laboratory Informatics Institute[23]
  • LIMSforum, a LinkedIn discussion group created to facilitate the exchange of ideas and technical information across the fields of laboratory, science, and health informatics[24][25]
  • LIMSuniversity, an open-access learning resource released by the Laboratory Informatics Institute, targeted towards laboratories and the LIMS community[26]
  • LIMSwiki, a Creative Commons-licensed wiki with the goal of bringing related informatics communities together to maintain a repository of information about the industry[27]

Technology and products

LabLynx develops, supports, and markets several products for the laboratory, science, and health industries:

ELab

ELab is a laboratory information management system (LIMS) and collection of associated modules developed to help professionals in the scientific community manage data coming into and leaving the laboratory.[28] The original LabLynx LIMS became known as ELab shortly before LabLynx fully separated from Atlanta Systems Consultants, Inc. in 2001.[11]

Over 30 different modules and functions are included with ELab, and licenses for the software are available with both onsite of offsite hosting services. LabLynx also states that ELab currently serves in many validated environments, including 21 CFR Part 11, College of American Pathologists (CAP), and ISO/IEC 17025, in compliance with such standards as HIPAA, HL7, STORENET, FDA- and EPA-regulated good laboratory practice (GLP), and more.[28]

webLIMS

webLIMS is a hosted software as a service (SaaS) version of the ELab LIMS.[29] LabLynx introduced the offering in March 2009, touting 35 different laboratory informatics and business applications in the hosted package.[15] As with most SaaS software, LabLynx intends to reduce cost to laboratories, decrease the amount of downtime, and provide a more scalable LIMS solution with its webLIMS service.[17][29]

LabLynx claims the facility it uses for hosting the webLIMS application is an "SAS70 Type II audited, ultra-safe and fully redundant data center."[15] To prevent downtime due to power outages, LabLynx states that its data center has:

  • parallel independent supply lines and facility circuits
  • instant battery backup and transition to multiple parallel diesel turbine generators
  • hardware powered by two separate feeds and a Tripp Lite instant power distribution switch to the alternative feed[30]

Product Features

To show the contents of the following section, click the "Expand" link to the right. To later hide the contents for easier reading, click the "Collapse" link.

 

The following product features are listed for eLab and webLIMS, as found on the LabLynx site. For more about the features of LabLynx products, consult the feature table below.

1. Sample login, accessioning, etc.

• Link documents, tests, processes, and paths to match your workflow.

• Create scheduled events.

• Create variations for cases, projects/lots, and sample points.

• Create sample and result batches.

2. Barcoding

• Generate barcode labels and schedule the generation of them.

• Track inventory, samples, etc.

3. Mobile device integration and support

4. Workload management

• Designate responsibility for any samples, batches or other items based on location, qualification, or other criteria.

• View analyst's assignments

5. Workflow management

• Set an unlimited number of processes.

• Assign specific processes to a specific sample.

6. Scheduling

• Define regular intervals for anything, including sample/batch receipt, instrument calibration and maintenance, training courses, and shelf life.

• Schedule holidays and time off.

7. Sample analysis and results entry

• Assign sample tests and paths.

• Enter results manually or imports them directly from instruments.

• View, report, analyze, organize, and export results.

• Supports all character types.

• Enter comments or attach images.

8. QA/QC

• Create templates to apply as desired, or create QC samples on an ad-hoc basis.

• Support for out-of-limit flagging, formulas, and charting/trending.

9. Instrument interfacing, calibration, and maintenance

• Can interface with any instrument that produces a text file.

• Track maintenance and calibration history, including any uploaded receipts or other documents.

• Store instrument details like model, serial number, date of purchase, assigned tests, authorized analysts, etc.

10. Electronic data exchange

• Upload instrument results.

• Integrate with third-party software.

• Electronically report to systems like eLexnet or other government-mandated protocols.

11. Calculations

• Perform numerous calculations, including standard arithmetic, log base 10, exponent, and absolute value.

• Includes standard QC-type calcs like "% Recovery of QC Spike," etc.

• Results from other tests may be included in calculations.

12. Sample management and tracking

• Track the check-in, check-out, transfer, and disposition of samples and other items through the laboratory.

• Document location, date/time, and identity of the user performing the actions.

13. Reporting

• Use configurable standard or create custom reports using the active reporting tool or database reporting tools.

• Print, fax, and e-mail generated reports.

• Export to Excel and other formats.

14. Trending and control charting

• Export data to Excel for charting of trends.

• Use built-in control charting function

15. Audit trails

• Modifications made to information are stamped with that user’s identification and the system level date and time.

• Users required to enter a reason for result changes.

• Captures the newly entered result as well as the edited result.

• Audit trail can be full or targeted.

16. Chain of custody

• Support to NELAC/NELAP standards.

• Chain of custody reports printable on demand.

17. Document management

• Upload and retrieve documents of any kind.

• Associate documents with samples, results, personnel, customers, instrument maintenance tracking, etc.

• Versioning is forced where required.

18. Inventory

• Organize and track any defined items in the LIMS, grouping them according to specific criteria.

• Track storage, usage, and quantity.

• Receive alerts when stocks go below a defined level.

19. Training tracking

• Track completed courses and certifications for all personnel.

• Receive alerts when additional training is required to maintain certifications.

• Upload and manage associated documents.

20. Event-driven alerts

• Create alert definitions which are triggered according to your requirements.

• Trigger events such as sending e-mails based on user-defined criteria.

21. Multi-language support

• Configure language settings.

• Configure time zone differences for multinational deployment.

22. Compliance

• Software complies with ASCLD, NELAC, 21 CFR Part 11, CLIA, GALP/GAMP, HL7, HIPAA, Section 508, ISO 17025, ASTM, IEEE, and ACS standards.

23. Version control

• Versioning forced on all relevant changes to system data, including tests, parameters, limits, reports, configurations, and software.

• All changes are date- and time-stamped

24. Configurability

• Most aspects of the system can be configured, including database tables, fields, screens, calculations, reports, charts, external interfaces, tests, parameters, limits.

• Define and link processes, tests, and sample or batch paths and all of the associated parameters/limits.

• Configure security permissions from micro to macro level on individual screens, tests, processes, job functions, departments, and laboratory locations.

25. Knowledge management

• Archive old data for later queries and data mining.

• Warehouse results, reports, trends, e-mails, pricing, invoicing, notes, training, and instrument maintenance tracking information.

LiMStudio

LiMStudio is a virtual desktop add-on to LabLynx’s webLIMS hosted application. It consists of a collection of 10 development tools that allow webLIMS users to modify the applications in their account to their own needs. It also allows users the ability to create their own applications to connect to the LIMS, providing a more scalable and customizable LIMS option to clients.[31]

 

Product: ELab/webLIMS
Sample, inventory, and data management
Sample login and management?Y[32]
Sample tracking?Y[32]
Sample and/or result batching?Y[32]
Task and event scheduling?Y[32]
Option for manual result entry?Y[32]
Multiple data viewing methods?Y[32]
Data and trend analysis?Y[32]
Data and equipment sharing?Y[32]
Customizable fields and/or interface?Y[32]
Query capability?Y[32]
Import data?Y[32]
Internal file or data linking?Y[32]
External file or data linking?Y[32]
ELN support or integration?Y[32]
Export data to MS Excel?Y[32]
Raw data management?Y[32]
Data warehouse?Y[32]
Deadline control?Y[32]
Production control?N[32]
Project and/or task management?Y[32]
Inventory management?Y[32]
Document creation and/or management?Y[32]
Case management?Y[32]
Workflow management?Y[32]
Specification management?Y[32]
Customer and supplier management?Y[32]
Billing management?Y[32]
Quality, security, and compliance
Regulatory compliance?Y[32]
QA / QC functions?Y[32]
Performance evaluation?Y[32]
Audit trail?Y[32]
Chain of custody?Y[32]
Configurable roles and security?Y[32]
Data normalization?Y[32]
Data validation?Y[32]
Data encryption?Y[32]
Version control?Y[32]
Automatic data backup?Y[32]
Environmental monitoring?Y[32]
Reporting, barcoding, and printing
Custom reporting?Y[32]
Report printing?Y[32]
Label support?Y[32]
Barcode support?Y[32]
Export to PDF?Y[32]
Export to MS Word?Y[32]
Export to HTML and/or XML?Y[32]
Fax integration?Y[32]
Email integration?Y[32]
Base functionality
Administrator management?Y[32]
Modular?Y[32]
Instrument interfacing and management?Y[32]
Mobile device integration?Y[32]
Alarms and/or alerts?Y[32]
Work-related time tracking?Y[32]
Voice recognition system?N[32]
External monitoring?Y[32]
Messaging?Y[32]
Multilingual?Y[32]
Network-capable?Y[32]
Web client or portal?Y[32]
Online or integrated help?Y[32]
Software as a service delivery model?Y[32]
Usage-based cost?Y[32]
Industries served
agriculture, clinical research, environmental, food and beverage, general, law enforcement and forensic, manufacturing and R&D, pharmaceutical, public health and service

Pricing

ELab/webLIMS

Source for pricing information is via LabLynx.[33] As prices may change at any time, always contact the vendor directly to obtain a price list or quote.

LIMS Product Price List
Part number Description Number of
concurrent users
Price Unit Price
LLX-ELBS-02 ELab SQL Edition for 2 Concurrent Users 2 $9,500 $4,750
LLX-ELBS-05 ELab SQL Edition for 5 Concurrent Users 5 $21,500 $4,300
LLX-ELBS-10 ELab SQL Edition for 10 Concurrent Users 10 $32,000 $3,200
LLX-ELBS-25 ELab SQL Edition for 25 Concurrent Users 25 $75,000 $3,000
LLX-ELBS-50 ELab SQL Edition for 50 Concurrent Users 50 $140,000 $2,800
LLX-ELBS-UL ELab SQL Edition for Unlimited Concurrent Users Unlimited $275,000
LLX-ELBO-10 ELab Oracle Edition for 10 Concurrent Users 10 $65,000 $6,500
LLX-ELBO-25 ELab Oracle Edition for 25 Concurrent Users 25 $150,000 $6,000
LLX-ELBO-50 ELab Oracle Edition for 50 Concurrent Users 50 $250,000 $5,000
LLX-ELBO-UL ELab Oracle Edition for Unlimited Concurrent Users Unlimited $475,000
LLX-WLM-02 webLIMS.com (SaaS) Edition for 2 Concurrent Users
(Prices quoted are per month.)
2 $500 $250
LLX-WLM-05 webLIMS.com (SaaS) Edition for 5 Concurrent Users
(Prices quoted are per month.)
5 $800 $160
LLX-WLM-10 webLIMS.com (SaaS) Edition for 10 Concurrent Users
(Prices quoted are per month.)
10 $1,250 $125
LLX-WLM-25 webLIMS.com (SaaS) Edition for 25 Concurrent Users
(Prices quoted are per month.)
25 $2,500 $100
LLX-WLM-50 webLIMS.com (SaaS) Edition for 50 Concurrent Users
(Prices quoted are per month.)
50 $4,000 $80
LLX-WLM-UL webLIMS.com (SaaS) Edition for Unlimited Concurrent Users
(Prices quoted are per month.)
Unlimited $7,500
LIMS Maintenance, Warranty, Support, and Service Plans
Maintenance and support plans Maintenance Annual service and support hours incl. Support hours Maintenance, support, and service costs Special notes
Bronze One year of unlimited updates and upgrades plus warranty 4 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, excluding holidays 15% of total license fee; minimum $4,500 per year; hourly services and support at $185/hour This plan is included at no charge to all webLIMS accounts with 1–9 concurrent users.
Silver One year of unlimited updates and upgrades plus warranty 16 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, excluding holidays 15% of total license fee; minimum $5,500 per year; hourly services and support at $175/hour This plan is included at no charge to all webLIMS accounts with 10–24 concurrent users.
Gold One year of unlimited updates and upgrades plus warranty 24 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, excluding holidays 15% of total license fee; minimum $8,500 per year; hourly services and support at $165/hour This plan is included at no charge to all webLIMS accounts with 25–74 concurrent users.
Platinum One year of unlimited updates and upgrades plus warranty 40 24 hours per day, 7 days per week 15% of total license fee; minimum $25,000 per year; hourly services and support at $150/hour This plan is included at no charge to all webLIMS accounts with 75+ concurrent users.

Demonstration videos and other media

The following demonstration videos are available for ELab and webLIMS:

Additional information

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Business Entity – LabLynx, Inc.". Georgia Secretary of State. http://corp.sos.state.ga.us/corp/soskb/Corp.asp?33586. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "LabLynx, Inc. - Atlanta, Georgia (GA)". Manta Media, Inc.. http://www.manta.com/c/mmj7tyc/lablynx-inc. Retrieved 31 October 2011. 
  3. "Internet Software and Services – LabLynx, Inc.". Bloomberg Businessweek. http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=40482985. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 "LIMSource: LIMS Vendor: LabLynx, Inc.". Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071012123126/http://www.limsource.com/products/vatlanta.html. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 McGinnis, Mike and Norman Perkins (2003). "I. Wireless LANs". LIMS Workbook - A Practical Guide (3rd ed.). Q2marketsite, Inc.. pp. I-16. ASIN B00161Y71K. 
  6. "LABLynx On The Web". Archived from the original on 25 January 1998. http://web.archive.org/web/19990125100717/http://www.lablynx.com/. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  7. "LABlynx on the Web". Florida Department of Health. 8 March 2000. http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Irm/Apps/ihis/JADS/deh/Market%20Research/Background/asc_website.pdf. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Business Entity – Atlanta Systems Consultants, Inc.". Georgia Secretary of State. http://corp.sos.state.ga.us/corp/soskb/Corp.asp?863137. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
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  11. 11.0 11.1 "LIMSource: LIMS Vendor: Atlanta Systems Consultants, Inc.". Archived from the original on 9 April 2001. http://web.archive.org/web/20010409200118/http://www.limsource.com/products/vatlanta.html. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  12. "Build your own LIMS: News from LabLynx". LaboratoryTalk.com. 6 January 2004. http://www.laboratorytalk.com/news/lbl/lbl100.html. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  13. 13.0 13.1 "Laboratory Informatics Institute Established". Laboratory Informatics Institute, Inc.. 17 July 2006. http://www.limsfinder.com/BlogDetail.aspx?id=31049_0_3_0_C. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  14. "LABLynx Extends Contract with Nagarro to Include Additional Product Development and SaaS Projects". Nagarro, Inc.. 20 August 2008. http://www.nagarro.com/NewsEvents/Press%20Releases/LABLynx%20Extends%20Contract%20with.aspx. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 "LabLynx launches the new webLiMS.com, Laboratory SaaS Provider". Argyle News. 6 March 2009. http://scienceandresearch.argylenews.com/press_release.aspx?LabLynx-launches-the-new-webLiMScom-Laboratory-SaaS-Provider-542. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  16. "Weblims – LabLynx". Scientific Computing World. 6 March 2009. http://www.scientific-computing.com/products/product_details.php?product_id=544. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
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  18. Dubin, Cindy (June 2010). "SaaS Model Turns LIMS Paradigm On Its Head". Life Science Leader. http://www.lifescienceleader.com/index.php?option=com_jambozine&layout=article&view=page&aid=4056. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  19. "SaaS - Is a web hosted LIMS right for your laboratory?". LabLynx, Inc.. 15 August 2009. http://www.lablynx.com/ArticlesBlogs/tabid/326/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13/SaaS--Is-a-web-hosted-LIMS-right-for-your-laboratory.aspx. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  20. Clarke, Ann (2011). Laboratory Results Interface (LRI) Pilots Guide (v0.9.4.093011 ed.). LabLynx/mdDigest. pp. 1–2. http://wiki.siframework.org/file/view/LRI_Pilots_Guide_Draft_v0_9_4_093011.docx. 
  21. "PROJECT BRIEF: LabLynx/mdDigest Pilot". LabLynx/mdDigest. http://wiki.siframework.org/LabLynx+Pilot+Brief. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  22. "LIMSfinder Home". Laboratory Informatics Institute, Inc.. http://www.limsfinder.com/Home.aspx. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  23. "The LIMS Book". Laboratory Informatics Institute, Inc.. http://limsbook.com/. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  24. "Lablynx - latest company news". LaboratoryTalk.com. 25 August 2009. http://www.laboratorytalk.com/news/lbl/lbl103.html. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  25. "LiMS forum - Laboratory Informatics Institute user's group for LIMS, Scientific & Health Informatics". LinkedIn.com. http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=2069898. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  26. "LiMSuniversity.com, the on-line, Open Access, Virtual Learning Center for Laboratory Informatics users and professionals". Laboratory Informatics Institute, Inc.. 4 April 2011. http://www.limsfinder.com/BlogDetail.aspx?id=35134_0_25_0_C. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  27. "LIMSwiki mission". 2 June 2011. http://limswiki.org/index.php/LIMSwiki_mission. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  28. 28.0 28.1 "ELab LIMS". http://lablynx.com/Products/ELabLIMS/tabid/240/Default.aspx. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  29. 29.0 29.1
  30. "The webLiMS.com Data Center Facilities". LabLynx, Inc.. http://lablynx.com/AboutUs/DataCenter/Facilities/tabid/248/Default.aspx. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  31. "LiMStudio.net - Hosted Developer Tools". LabLynx, Inc.. http://lablynx.com/Products/DeveloperTools/tabid/242/Default.aspx. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  32. 32.00 32.01 32.02 32.03 32.04 32.05 32.06 32.07 32.08 32.09 32.10 32.11 32.12 32.13 32.14 32.15 32.16 32.17 32.18 32.19 32.20 32.21 32.22 32.23 32.24 32.25 32.26 32.27 32.28 32.29 32.30 32.31 32.32 32.33 32.34 32.35 32.36 32.37 32.38 32.39 32.40 32.41 32.42 32.43 32.44 32.45 32.46 32.47 32.48 32.49 32.50 32.51 32.52 32.53 32.54 32.55 32.56 32.57 32.58 32.59 32.60 32.61 32.62
  33. "2013 LIMS Product, Service, Support and Maintenance Price List" (PDF). LabLynx, Inc. 8 November 2013. http://2013prices.lablynx.com. Retrieved 02 February 2015.