Scientific Computing periodically features special informatics focus articles that attempt to help you with such complex tasks as selecting a laboratory information management system (LIMS) or interfacing systems together. Unfortunately, there is only a limited amount of information that one can cram into one of these articles and still keep it understandable. Where we are limited to just a few pages for each of our attempts, Joe Liscouski has written a whole book on the subject. Computerized Systems in the Modern Laboratory: A Practical Guide1 is pretty much exactly what it says.
Where most ‘LIMS’ books focus on selecting and installing the system, this book goes far beyond that to examine all of the computerized systems in the laboratory. Discussions range from the automation of individual instruments up to automation of the entire laboratory and its integration into the organization’s overall system. Perhaps more importantly, this is not just a ‘technical’ book, but deals with all aspects of computerized systems in the modern laboratory, including its staff.
Furthermore, instead of one homogenized text directed at everyone, the author has wisely decided to directly address each of the book’s potential audiences in their own sections. Primarily directed at laboratory professionals, laboratory managers and IT professionals, this book does a good job of addressing their different concerns without sounding like it was written for the median audience.
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The book would not have been possible without the inclusion of bulleted lists, which Liscouski uses profusely, but well. They allow him to succinctly bring together and highlight important points. These bullets might be a list of potential gotchas, things to consider, or possible approaches.
This guide is not a procedure for walking you through the selection and installation of a specific system, but it takes readers through the more challenging process of learning what to consider and how to approach a problem, so they can make the selection that is right for their situation. As a result, not only do the reader’s computerized systems become less of a black box, but Liscouski provides a greater understanding of what they actually do and their capabilities. In support of this, there are frequent ‘Why does this matter to you?’ sections, which help to clarify what the potential impact of your decisions and actions might be. For those requiring additional technical information, Liscouski has included an extensive list of literature references for each section.
In the spirit of these bulleted lists, let’s take a look at some of the informatics and other systems that he covers.
- Document Management Systems (DMS)
- Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELN)
- Inventory Management Systems (IMS)
- Laboratory Execution Systems (LES)
- Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
- Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)
- Scientific Data Management Systems (SDMS)
Among the other topics covered is the often-overlooked examination of education and training, whether for yourself or your staff. The discussion of education also extends out to the organization’s IT support staff, as the needs of a laboratory are generally very different from the requirements they are used to supporting, and this book will help them make allowance for that. Since a laboratory’s automation systems also include the people who work with them, a special effort is made in helping to identify where people problems are likely to occur and how to deal with them. For better or worse, when addressing a laboratory’s computerized systems, we have to deal not only with technology, but with the wetware, or human dynamics, that are involved.
For those wanting even more value, this book includes an extensive set of appendixes. Topics addressed are extremely diverse and include:
- Instrument interfacing
- Considerations for automating processes
- Bar codes
- Instrument integration and related standards
- Considerations for automated sample preparation
- System validation and regulatory requirements
Conclusion
Given that you could write whole books on some of the topics the author covers in this guide, he manages to include an incredible amount of useful information in its 401 pages. The fact that he attempts to coax you out of your comfort zone and to examine issues from the viewpoints of the different people and groups involved might be even more valuable.
If I were to change any one feature of Liscouski’s book, it would be to give it a more extensive index, which is a relatively minor point. What is there is very helpful, but I can easily see people having to dig to locate a topic in the book, because it was listed under another term. Of course, if you opt for the electronic version of this book, that isn’t a problem, as you can just execute a search for it.
I highly recommend Computerized Systems in the Modern Laboratory: A Practical Guide to anyone who must select, work with, or support a modern laboratory’s diverse computer systems.
Reference
- Liscouski J. Computerized Systems in the Modern Laboratory: A Practical Guide [Internet]. 1st ed. Bethesda, MD, USA: Parenteral Drug Association (PDA)/Davis Healthcare International (DHI) Publishing; 2015 [cited 2015 Apr 9]. Available from: https://store.pda.org/ProductCatalog/Product.aspx?ID=2684
John Joyce is a laboratory informatics specialist based in Richmond, VA. He may be reached at [email protected].
