LIMS (Laboratory Management Information Systems) can be broadly characterized into 2 groups, monoliths and systems. The difference is less about functionality and more about architecture. Monoliths are a large all inclusive application that maximize automation and minimizes user intervention. Monoliths are very efficient when a process is standardized and unchanging.
Advantages
- Full automation, maximum reduction in FTE requirements
- Consistant reproducible processing
- Enhancements, upgrades, and training outsourced to the vendor
- User groups provide resources for problem solving (bug fixes, add on components, help with problems)
Disadvantages
- Cost
- Many moving parts (database, ORM, web server, interface)
- Complex - requires extensive training
- Feature creep
- Brittle - difficult to change in response to a changing process
- Dependant on vendor for bug fixes and upgrades
- Off-the-shelf solutions may not satisfy all requirements
- May depend on obscure components (old programming languages, object database, image)
- Custom solutions may be obsolete on delivery
- Resistance to use