Laboratory management with OSS

Cape-based Bika Lab Systems has released Bika LIMS 2.1, the latest release of its GPL-licensed laboratory management system which is used in laboratories around the world. Codenamed Inkosi, or The Chief, Bika LIMS 2.1 includes a host of new features and an enhanced set of automations to streamline lab management.

More than 12 5000 copies of Bika LIMS have been downloaded since its initial release, the company says. Version 2.1 of the lab suite is already being piloted in a number of countries including Canada, Nigeria and Costa Rica.

In the laboratory itself, once-off worksheet template creation avoids laborious manual worksheet management. The templates include place holders for control and duplicate samples and can be configured to closely resemble instrument trays

When using templates, Inkosi populates worksheets with analyses closest to their due dates but these can be manually adjusted to requirement, before exporting them to instruments and recovering results without having to manually enter any data.

Bika LIMS 1 is being successfully used in a number of ISO17025-accredited labs.

Inkosi LIMS also includes support for content management functions so users can quickly make information available to clients, staff and for marketing purposes.