New study identifies and quantifies a number of compelling benefits that can be realised from harmonising processes and standardising on a single global Lims
Thermo Electron has announced findings from a market survey on Lims (laboratory information management system) standardisation and total cost of ownership, conducted on its behalf by IDC, a research and consulting firm.
Entitled Standardising on Lims: TCO and ROI for the multi-lab setting', the study is said to be the first of its kind to investigate the IT and business value of Lims standardisation.
A white paper resulting from the study is available on the company's website.
IDC's study is based on in-depth interviews with senior Lims and IT managers at leading companies, in industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and beverage, and oil and gas, that have either standardized or are in the process of standardising on one Lims solution.
Participating companies, including Thermo Lims customers, cited the potential for reduced IT personnel, improved reporting and easier access to data as the principle reasons for standardising on one Lims.
Key findings of the study.
Companies reported as much as a 40% reduction in TCO by standardising on one Lims.
Annual benefits of approximately US$300,000 per lab were realised from implementing a standardised Lims.
On average, companies improved IT efficiency and were able to reduce their IT staff supporting Lims by 57%.
User support activities, applications management and validation, time devoted to troubleshooting and data management were typically reduced by as much as 90%.
TCO is a business concept model that helps organisations account for all direct and indirect costs incurred throughout the lifecycle of an IT asset, from original acquisition through retirement.
Commenting on the study, Jim Neville, director of marketing and business development of Thermo Electron's Informatics business, stated: "This groundbreaking study confirms that our customers are realising substantial cost savings and impressive operational benefits from implementing Thermo's Lims as a global standard. "Further, the study reaffirms the critical role a vendor plays in rolling out a global solution and the importance of selecting a vendor capable of delivering and supporting a standard solution across different geographic locations". According to one company interviewed for the study: "By implementing Thermo's Lims as a global standard, we lowered TCO after experiencing a tremendous reduction in IT support costs.
"This standardisation also greatly simplified integration with our ERP system, dramatically improving the way in which we access and report data company-wide".
IDC is a market intelligence and advisory firm in the information technology and telecommunications industries.
The company analyses and predicts technology trends so that clients can make strategic, fact-based decisions on IT purchases and business strategy.
