Study: LIMS Worldwide Outlook until 2007

Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) are going beyond merely the efficiency of the lab and crossing traditional boundaries to improve the productivity of the entire enterprise. "An increasing need for timely information that only an integrated LIMS can provide has become a powerful motivator for users to implement LIMS solutions in old and new plants," according to ARC Research Director Wil Chin, the principal author of ARC"s "Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) Worldwide Outlook".

Users Have Specific Industry Requirements

Users find it much more productive to purchase standard software configured for their specific industry. This allows the IT department to focus on evolving trends in the integration of all systems, including LIMS, into one environment to share information in real-time for real productivity gains. Despite the fact that these commercial systems are developed for a particular industry, they still require considerable customization to meet the laboratory's needs. Consequently, the consulting and implementation services of the LIMS solution represent a significant portion of the cost. In particular, laboratories often expect -- and in many cases require -- very specific format and reporting. The LIMS market is highly fragmented with as many as a hundred suppliers.

Market Growth

The worldwide market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.8 percent over the next five years. The market will produce revenues of $275 million in 2002 and is forecasted to be over $347 million in 2007, according to the ARC Advisory Group study.

Regulated industries, such as pharmaceutical and other human consumption related industries, will lead the growth of the LIMS market. However, process industries including chemical, petrochemical, and others will expand their applications to provide growth to a previously stagnating market.

Strategies for Success

Two of the primary trends that will drive the market forward in the near and long term are our aging population and our increasing life spans. About 35 million people in the US are over 65 years old, and the size of the elder population is increasing dramatically as the "baby boom" generation ages. Therefore, the demand for healthy foods and preventative drugs will explode. Food & beverage and pharmaceutical companies will need to retool to cater to the changing demographics. Environmental regulations affecting every manufacturing plant will increasingly become more stringent to protect the more fragile immune system of the aging population.

The never ending quest to reduce cost will continue to drive new initiatives. The current interest in using plant data to increase productivity will continue to gain traction. Open system LIMS solutions that can meet regulatory demands and direct data in intelligent ways to provide timely synchronized information will succeed. The study articulates seven strategic avenues for success in the LIMS market.

The Laboratory Information Management Systems Worldwide Outlook - Market Analysis and Forecast through 2007, from ARC provides comprehensive strategies for suppliers on how to exploit emerging trends. LIMS supplier market share information and five-year forecasts segmented by region, industry, system size, service, architecture, integration, and regulation are included in the study. All leading LIMS suppliers are profiled.

Quelle: ARC Advisory Group, Inc.