Laboratory Information Management Systems - A European View

Published by: Frost & Sullivan

Published: Feb. 3, 2004

Table of Contents

Abstract

The increasing need to collect and analyse large quantities of data both within the hospital and non-hospital sector, has necessitated the use of laboratory software and systems. In spite of the obvious benefits, managers are hindered by the high investment costs involved. There is also a fair degree of scepticism as to the actual efficiency of laboratory information management systems (LIMS). In many cases, users have reverted to the comfortable familiarity of a paper system, which they consider as being much more reliable and inexpensive. Manufacturers claim that end users' lack of acceptance coupled with their reluctance to upgrade to newer versions of existing software restrains growth.

This research from examines the key trends in the European laboratory information systems (LIS) market. It categorises the market into the hospital and non-hospital sectors and provides a comprehensive insight of the competitive environment in each. It also outlines the distribution strategies adopted by leading participants and forecasts the future direction of the industry in the face of escalating IT costs and regulatory issues.

Integrated Systems Vital to Meeting Organisational Goals

To attain maximum efficiency, it is essential that a LIMS function in tandem with other systems within the organisation. Previously, most LIMS installations were stand-alone systems, but increasingly, there is a commercial need to share information within the company and across various sites. "Laboratory research is increasingly at the core of companies' commercial advantage over their competitors," says the analyst. "The ability to connect laboratory systems to the wider organisational network is the key to future growth in both the non-hospital and hospital sectors."

The benefit of an integrated system is even more pronounced in the hospital sector. An integrated package combining administrative and clinical details would ensure that all the details of a patient are available at a single outlet point. Currently, the budgetary expenditure involved in updating to such a system is a major deterrent. In the long term, however, this system would rapidly show a return on investment as hospitals can reduce the administrative staff required for routine work.

Mergers and Acquisitions Drive Future Growth

Integrating various systems to derive maximum knowledge benefit is vital to end users both in the hospital and non-hospital sector. Toward this end, the strategy adopted by all large vendors has been to own the data from end to end. Mergers and acquisitions of smaller vendors are becoming increasingly common, especially in the hospital sector. In the non-hospital sector, there are still a number of independent software vendors.

"In the non-hospital sector, the total revenue of vendors is not sufficiently attractive for the predatory interests of large software companies," says the analyst. "To survive, small LIMS vendors can either formally merge with an HIS vendor or enter into a partnership with a systems integrator active in the hospital sector."

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