LabWare: LabWare ELP - A Crucial Tool for Laboratory Modernization

When LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) started to enter the mainstream commercial market in the 1980s, most laboratories installed heavily-customized versions of the software; overtime, upgrading these solutions proved very problematic. To safeguard their long-term investments in these solutions, management leadership recognized the need to keep these systems in tandem with business and functional changes. The Wilmington, DE-based firm, LabWare acknowledged this specific problem and developed a laboratory information management solution that would be both configurable and upgradable. Through its holistic Enterprise Laboratory Platform (ELP), the firm protects the long-term investment of its clients and empowers them to streamline their workflows and processes. “We deliver rich product functionality and value for our customers,” says Nick Townsend, Managing Director, European Operations at LabWare.

LabWare’s software enables laboratories to migrate from site based, legacy LIMS to a flexible, single, centralized global system. The Enterprise Laboratory Platform (ELP) includes LIMS, Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN) with laboratory execution system (LES) capability, data acquisition software, and modules such as work scheduling, cost accounting, trending, and charting. By using this platform, laboratories can efficiently automate their existing workflows, integrate with their current SAP/ERP suites, and adhere to compliance and business rules. “The layered, scalable architecture combined with the extensive range of application modules for different industries, is what sets us apart from our competitors,” adds Townsend.

With LabWare ELP, customers can automate a comprehensive range of workflows in R&D through to Manufacturing, and across different types of laboratories such as QA/QC, Analytical & Process Development, environmental monitoring, bioanalysis, stability monitoring and contract analysis. The system provides the capability to manage customer specific business rules, and rich features to help customer comply with regulations such as GxP and 21 CFR Part 11. LabWare ELP provides seamless integration of LIMS with ELN, allowing flexible, single-database storage of raw data files, results, calculated results, images and document files. The platform then enables the clients to flexibly mine information from the data using a variety SQL based query and reporting tools, including customer configurable query templates, dashboard and charting functions, providing output in a variety of formats such as secure PDF, Microsoft Excel & Word.

LabWare ELP also equips the key stakeholders with a wide range of application modules that can be activated as the system expands within the organization for end-to-end laboratory management. These modules cover core laboratory processes and can also provide numerous other capabilities such as document management, inventory control, planning, study and clinical trial management.

LabWare’s core expertise is in helping clients centralize laboratory automation and management and to harmonize business processes at global level. Many multinational businesses face challenges with disparate systems, located in facilities around the world. LabWare’s clients seek a solution to replace these systems with a centralized system, tightly integrated with ERP software, and key laboratory equipment such as Chromatography Data Systems (CDS). LabWare’s clients are then able to manage processes, data and information centrally, streamlining worldwide operations and with much stronger regulatory compliance.

LabWare places much focus on ensuring its customers derive value from their systems on an on-going basis, and has an active product development program. The team will soon launch mobile and cloud-based offerings, and intend to further strengthen the range of solution packages, designed and pre-built for different types of industries. LabWare operates on a global scale, and provides a direct service and support network for its customers that the company continues to invest in and expand.