Eremid Genomic Services Success Story

Eremid’s search for a suitable LIMS solution was driven by the complexity and variability of their work, which spans both clinical and research labs. Their requirements were multifaceted, and they needed a system that could handle the diverse nature of their projects while ensuring compliance and efficiency. Labbit LIMS was chosen for its flexibility, user-friendly design, and ability to handle complex, evolving workflows. Below is a deeper look at the specific features and benefits of Labbit LIMS that supported Eremid’s unique needs.

Flexibility & Customization For Diverse Environments

Eremid’s primary challenge was finding a LIMS that could balance the structure required for clinical environments with the flexibility needed in research labs. Traditional LIMS solutions are either too rigid, designed for highly regulated settings with pre-configured data models, or too unstructured, suitable for research but lacking the necessary controls for clinical work. Labbit offered the flexibility to tailor workflows and processes for both environments within one system.

• Separation of Clinical and Research Modules: Labbit’s modular design allowed Eremid to maintain separate environments for clinical and research operations. This separation ensured that clinical workflows adhered to strict regulatory requirements without hindering the dynamic nature of research. For instance, clinical modules include compliance checks, while research modules allow for more creative freedom in the development of experimental processes.
• Customizable Workflow Rigor: The system allows Eremid to adjust the level of structure in workflows. On the research side, workflows can be left flexible to allow scientists to iterate freely, while clinical workflows can be locked down with detailed steps and compliance checks to ensure they meet regulatory standards.

BPMN-Driven Workflow Design & Adaptability

Another key requirement for Eremid was the ability to handle complex workflows that are constantly evolving, especially as projects move from research to clinical phases. Labbit’s Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) tool provided Eremid with an intuitive, visual way to design, update, and manage workflows, which is critical in a fast-paced environment where workflows must often be adjusted to meet changing client needs and scientific advancements.

• Visual Workflow Configuration: The BPMN approach mimics the act of sketching workflows on a whiteboard, offering a graphical view of all steps and their interconnections. This visual representation enhanced collaboration among Eremid's teams and allowed them to easily communicate and adjust workflows as needed. This was particularly beneficial for complex projects where the research team required flexibility and iteration, while the clinical team needed clear, structured paths for regulatory compliance.

“The BPMN is excellent for visualizing a 3D-like view of the workflow so that we can see all the steps and routing clearly. It’s just as collaborative as a whiteboard but much more efficient.” - Julien Curaba, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Eremid

• Seamless Transition Between Research and Clinical Phases: A key advantage of BPMN for Eremid was the ease with which workflows could be transitioned from research to clinical settings. This capability is crucial when a project moves through different stages, as certain research workflows must be adapted to comply with clinical regulations. With Labbit, Eremid could modify workflows with minimal effort, allowing them to efficiently manage transitions and avoid delays as projects evolve.

Support For Complex, High-Volume Projects

Eremid’s client base is diverse, with no two projects being the same. As a result, they needed a system that could handle a high volume of unique, custom projects and ensure that each project had its own tailored workflow, while maintaining consistency in overall process management. Labbit’s adaptability allowed Eremid to build custom workflows that could support the specific requirements of each client project.

• Scalable Workflow Management: Labbit’s scalability enabled Eremid to create workflows for a wide range of projects, from small, short-term research studies to large, multi-phase clinical trials. This scalability ensures that the system can grow as Eremid’s project load and complexity increase, without requiring a complete overhaul of the infrastructure.
• Custom Workflows for Diverse Client Needs: The flexibility of Labbit's configuration capabilities meant that Eremid could design workflows that met the precise needs of each client. For example, a project involving human health may have entirely different requirements than one focused on agbiotech or nutrition, and Labbit’s customizable features allowed Eremid to tailor each workflow accordingly, without being constrained by a one-size-fits-all solution.

Expertise & Partnership In LIMS Implementation

Equally important to the success of the implementation was the expertise provided by the Labbit team. Eremid needed a partner with deep experience in high-complexity laboratory environments to guide them through the LIMS implementation process. The Labbit team’s extensive knowledge and understanding of laboratory operations proved invaluable as they helped Eremid configure the system to meet their specific needs.

• Collaborative Implementation Process: The Labbit team worked closely with Eremid throughout the configuration process, providing insights and recommendations based on their vast experience in implementing LIMS in similarly complex environments. This collaborative approach ensured that potential issues were anticipated and addressed early in the process, and that the final solution would be flexible enough to adapt to future needs.

“Going through the workflow configuration process with the Labbit team, I was so impressed with their foresight that was clearly rooted in their experience. They’d present a broader picture of why doing things the traditional way would cause friction down the road when shifting to new projects and helped us build flexibility into the system to mitigate this.” - Francisco Camacho, PhD, Director, Graham Genomics Lab, Eremid

• Effective Communication and Support: One of the standout features of working with the Labbit team was their ability to understand and translate the needs of laboratory staff into a functional software solution. Whether working with scientists in the research lab or regulatory experts in the clinical lab, the Labbit team’s ability to speak the “language of the lab” helped foster a smoother implementation process and ensured that the system met Eremid’s unique operational requirements.

“The experience of software engineering with both the needs and language of laboratories has been hugely beneficial. One of my favorite things is that I can just speak ‘lab’ and the Labbit team understands and just translates it into the software.” - Sarah Sterrett, BSc., Research Lab Manager, Eremid

Streamlined Data Management & Tracking

Labbit also helped Eremid enhance its data management capabilities. The system’s ability to track and manage vast amounts of data across various workflows allowed Eremid to maintain a high level of accuracy and compliance, which is especially important in the genomics field where data integrity is critical.

• Centralized Data Repository: Labbit provides a centralized data repository that consolidates information across different stages of research and clinical workflows. This centralized approach helps eliminate data silos and ensures that all relevant information is easily accessible to Eremid’s teams.
• Improved Data Integrity and Compliance: Labbit’s built-in compliance features also supported Eremid’s need for robust data integrity. As data flows through the system, the software tracks each step of the process, providing a complete audit trail and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.