Intelligent data collection from laboratory instruments can provide significant productivity gains, by eliminating redundant manual entry of data, and the need to transcribe or keep paper records from instruments. Transcription errors are greatly reduced by direct transfer of data to the LIMS.

One of the key elements in any system is the integrity of the data being collected. Two-way communication with instruments, where possible, allows greater data integrity, in that the instruments being used can be loaded with samples/tests from the LIMS and results for those tests are collated from the instrument. It allows the user to specify instructions for each test being performed. The data collected is checked at the instrument location, against specifications and limits, before being accepted by the LIMS.

With the huge variation in laboratory instruments available, lack of interface standards at instrument level and multiple networking options available data collection in the laboratory can be a significant task. A flexible user configurable method of connecting instruments to the LIMS is required. Authorised users need to be able to set-up new instruments and/or methods without requiring any programming ability. While interfacing these instruments and collecting data, Lab technicians need to be able to have some control over what data goes to the LIMS, giving them the power to control their work and rectify errors at an early stage