A LIMS can significantly improve day-to-day lab operations by streamlining and automating many workflows. However, these benefits can sometimes be undercut by early choices, such as building your own LIMS. While a homemade LIMS offers the benefit of customization, it also come with significant challenges which often outweigh the advantages.
Bayer, a leading consumer health company with over 100,000 employees and global operations, recognize the needs of having a LIMS in the early days and started to develop their own LIMS to streamline lab operations.
For Jean-François Coin, Head of Analytical Development at Bayer Consumer Health, France, and the R&D center, something had to give. “The software managed equipment, reagents, raw materials, formulas, samples, results, and specifications,” explains Jean-François. But the team realized quickly that they didn’t just need a digital solution to eliminate manual processes; they needed a software solution that was scalable and pre-validated to keep pace with their growing team, evolving regulatory guidelines, and inter-related operations.
To meet these needs, Bayer sought out a commercially viable LIMS platform. To discuss how Bayer decided to switch platforms, how LabVantage made the transition as painless as possible, and the benefits the organization has experienced, we sat down with Jean-François at the 2024 CTEC conference.
Leaping to a New Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
Choosing and implementing a new LIMS platform is a big step that requires buy-in from key stakeholders, including the executive team. It also requires a well-thought-out data migration strategy and comprehensive training. The potential benefits of switching LIMS have to outweigh these short- and long-term barriers.
The R&D Bayer Consumer Health team in France moved away from their homemade LIMS when their R&D department grew and needed a fully validated platform.
“We switched to LabVantage at the time because it was a client-server LIMS,” says Jean-François. “…I also found using the platform logical and easy for final users to understand. We looked at how it is validated and how LabVantage could help us with validation. We also discussed the size of the server with IT personnel or if it could be a kind of cloud system. All of these different elements brought us to select LabVantage.”
Successful LIMS Implementation
Successful implementation of a LIMS enables teams to take full advantage of all LIMS functionalities and maximize LIMS benefits.
In the Bayer Consumer Health R&D center in France, the LabVantage LIMS is currently used by 60 personnel working across various specialities. “We have formulators, analytical people, people from packaging, and quality using the LIMS,” describes Jean-François.
LIMS use by diverse personnel allows for multi-faceted applications. “We manage raw materials, formula, packaging articles, and reagents globally,” Jean-François continues. “We also manage equipment…samples, and results. We’ve added modules around stability to ensure the follow-up of the product over its shelf life.”
The major benefits for the R&D Center have been a standardization of these various processes and an ability to access, track, and assess the quality of all the important data. “We also recently added ELN and LES modules to reduce the paper in the lab, adds Jean-François. “One of my dreams is to have a fully paperless lab.”
Always Improving with LabVantage
Labs’ needs evolve, and the best LIMS solution can evolve with them. The LabVantage LIMS platform’s modular nature encourages the expansion of functionality, enabling it to grow with the lab.
“Every year, we have a discussion about what we need to improve and what we need to implement,” says Jean-François. “It’s a journey. We incrementally improve the system based on what the final users need.”
Thus far, the R&D center team has dramatically reduced R&D’s reliance on paper, standardized operations, implemented careful data tracking, and scaled LIMS growth with his teams using a fully validated platform.
To explore the LabVantage LIMS platform and how it can streamline and grow with your evolving lab operations, contact us here.
