Off-the-shelf, open source and rent to own are all variations on the same theme.  The idea is to get the client interested at a low price and to make money off them in some other way.  This is similar to buying an inkjet printer for R500 and then having to pay R600 every time you change the ink.  When you run a professional lab your LIMS is the heart of your business.  It is the key to your efficiency and regulatory accreditation. 

So how do you determine what the right price to charge the client is? You need to consider two issues. The first is the true cost of the product.  This is the price of the software including all the hidden costs.  These costs consist of implementation, support, configuration, licences, customisation, and time.  The second issue to consider is the value your laboratory will derive from your LIMS software.

To determine the true cost of the product you have to answer the following questions:

·         What does the software cost?

·         Is there an annual licence fee?

·         How many licences will you need?

·         Does your laboratory have exactly the same issues as any other laboratory?

·         If not, how much will it cost to adapt the LIMS to suit your specific needs?

·         How much will training cost you?

·         Do you need your own IT specialists to maintain the LIMS?

·         Can the LIMS be upgraded and improved and if so, how expensive will it be?

·         Can the LIMS integrate with your financial software?

·         How much will it cost to merge the financial system with the LIMS?

·         What are the hardware requirements?

·         Do you have to pay for LIMS complexity that you do not need?

·         Are you paying for an international system to be adapted to local conditions?

The true benefit of your LIMS scan also be determined by a answering a few simple questions:

·         What can you learn about your business from the reports your LIMS produce?

·         Does it cut the admin time surrounding each test?

·         Will having a LIMS help to maintain or obtain SANAS or other accreditations?

·         How much shorter will the billing cycle be?

The answers to these questions are important when you choose your LIMS.  Since there is much confusion and jargon connected to LIMS, it almost seems necessary to become an expert before you appoint a LIMS vendor. However, at QBCon we make this process as easy as possible by letting you run the lab while customising the LIMS to suit your needs. 

QBCon has 16 years of experience in developing business solutions.  We believe that software should save you money by reducing your costs and/or increase your profit by improving your efficiency. Whether you are a cost centre or a profit earning laboratory, Lab-i is a solution that can be customised to suit your needs.