In order to achieve the full benefits of a complete LIMS and address the issues of the regulated industries, integration of the LIMS with the ERP system is imperative. ERP systems control a range of business functions within an organisation consisting of a range of integrated modules covering functions like Finance, Purchasing, Materials Control, Batch Recipes, Resource Planning and Production Scheduling/Planning. The information provided by a LIMS plays an integral role in any company’s information systems and as such should integrate into these systems/modules.

Data collected will ultimately end up in the ERP system and will influence the product release decision. Along the route to the ERP system, the distillation process converts the raw data into information that can be used in the decision-making process. Productivity increases are realised by having the LIMS and the ERP system integrated. It guarantees, through automation that all required product testing from raw materials, through in process, to finished product was carried out to the required specifications.