A LIMS is not usually found in a lab that is not for profit.  The general purpose of a commercial LIMS is to catalog samples with results and send reports and invoices to customers and feed data into the business accounting program.   However, a LIMS for production facilities can be defined as previously stated without the billing aspect.

Quality control laboratories currently use a LIMS in some form of sophistication.  A LIMS can be as simple as a notebook that ties test results to a sample.  It can be in a data-entry, digitized form such as spreadsheets or simple databases.  It can be as complex as codifying samples and tests with automatic readers, and results being reported to responsible individuals with automatic hold and release actions to occur and third party Certificate of Analysis being generated on-line.

The information that is available from laboratory analyses is generally because of the interest in PASS:FAIL status. 

• Is the plate count too high?
• Is the coliform count too high? 
• Are there E. coli present? 
• Are the Salmonella and Listeria tests positive or negative? 
• Is the percent fat too high? 
• Is the moisture too high? 
• Is the salt content too high? 
• Are there allergens present?

I want to go through the aspects of the Sentry9000 LIMS that is available as a module for the Sentry9000 system or as a standalone system, and how it can influence the productivity of your operation.  First let’s consider the elimination of all paperwork.  All paperwork.  If none of the other many assets of Sentry9000 are considered, the complete elimination of paper from the processing floor is a major consideration that will have a positive effect on ROI for several reasons.  The directs cost savings being reduced personnel hours for data input, elimination of paper costs, copying and printing costs, elimination of document storage costs and retrieval costs when documents are required for scrutiny.  Indirect cost savings will be significantly greater because of automated responses and availability of data.

Automation is the key to the Sentry9000 LIMS.

• Automation provides the ability to start the lab process long before the sample gets to the lab. 
• Automation eliminates the need for paperwork. 
• Automation insures the correct tests are conducted on the sample.
• Automation compares the test results with the test limits.
• Automation provides data to be transferred form existing laboratory equipment that is currently an “island of information” to a central location where it is analyzed and action steps occur. 
• Automation works with results from commercial third-party labs being transferred directly into the Sentry9000 LIMS. 
• Automation manages HOLD:RELEASE for tested products. 
• Automation provides digital reports in different format for different requirements. 
• Automation provides digital Certificate of Analyses for clients.

When the Sentry LIMS is a module of the Sentry9000 system, it works in conjunction with other modules such as Receiving, Inventory Control, Batching, Allergen Risk Management, Processing, Packaging, Storage and Shipping.  A previous newsletter discusses Sentry LIMS working with Sentry ARMS(Allergen Risk Management System) to monitor results and provide action steps in environmental testing to comply with regulatory requirements.  Sentry LIMS interacts with supplier’s posted on-line data prior to shipment of ingredients for COA analysis and for determining testing status for that product.  Sentry LIMS interacts with ingredient inventory and finished product inventory for availability based on HOLD:RELEASE status from laboratory analyses.  Sentry LIMS can interact with the Accounts Payable for ingredient purchases.  Sentry9000 can interact with existing accounting programs, MRP and ERP systems to provide data input, or to extract data to the processing floor.

Sentry LIMS  can be provided as a stand-alone system without the accompanying modules.  This can occur because of the modular capability of Sentry9000, and the heart of the stand-alone system is the Sentry9000 server.

A Sentry LIMS will provide sample and test control, virtually eliminate errors, reduce costs and provide a positive effect on the overall production process with actions based on test results, data to automate decision making and specific reports to keep different departments informed.