Should We Call It an ELNLIMS?

We won't call it the holy grail, but the announcement by Thermo Scientific and Symyx regarding the release of an integrated LIMS/ELN product is a significant step towards a fully integrated, electronic laboratory. Researchers should have more power and functionality at their fingertips, with fewer obstacles towards accessing and sharing data. That spells more efficient development efforts.

In a press release last spring announcing the Thermo-Symyx partnership, Symyx president Trevor Heritage boasted that lab professionals will have the “ability to record and execute experimental protocols, capture results, access and analyze data, build reports and collaborate with colleagues seamlessly."

Given that it's now just six months since the partnership was announced, clearly there will be bugs to be worked out of the new offering, but that's to be expected.

Another intriguing question: What do we call something that combines a three-letter and four-letter acronym? ILMS (Integrated Lab Management System)? I'll have a chance to speak with representatives of both

What Sapphire and SQL*LIMS Customers Can Expect from LIMS Merger

LabVantage announced today that it is purchasing Applied Bio's SQL*LIMS business. While he couldn't comment at length yet, LabVantage VP of Corporate Development Ron Kasner offered a few thoughts via email:

PharmaQbd: What is the plan for integrating SAPPHIRE and SQL*LIMS? How quickly will this happen?

R.K.: Until the closing date, both companies will operate in a business-as-usual mode. More information about the integration plan, including product integration will be available post closing.

PharmaQbD: What will SAPPHIRE customers likely to get that they didn't have before, from a technology standpoint? What will SQL*LIMS customers get?

R.K.: All of our customers will gain access to a broader portfolio of software products and services, with our ongoing commitment to world-class customer service. We will continue to execute against our strategic product direction for SAPPHIRE. Our intent is to expand functionality within SAPPHIRE™ by leveraging the SQL*LIMS team’s domain knowledge and the robust product functionality within SQL*LIMS. At the same time, we will maintain our commitment to support the SQL*LIMS product and customers.