Introduction
Many labs still run on traditional LIS deployments that require local servers, slower upgrade cycles, and heavier IT involvement. A SaaS LIS model changes that operating burden. This article focuses on practical reasons labs move to cloud deployment and what that shift means for daily operations.
Traditional LIS: Setting the Stage
For decades, laboratories depended heavily on traditional LIS. These systems, installed directly on a laboratory’s servers or computers, brought some semblance of digital organization to what was previously a paper-laden environment. However, they came with their own set of challenges—rigidity in scaling, difficulty in updating, and a significant dependence on in-house IT teams for troubleshooting and maintenance.
Cost-Efficiencies with SaaS-based LIS
One of the foremost benefits of switching to a SaaS-based LIS is cost savings. With Diagnose, laboratories no longer need to invest a large sum upfront for software licenses or dedicate substantial resources to set up and maintain the system. With the subscription model, labs get a plan tailored to their needs, knowing they can easily scale up or down as requirements change.
Accessibility and Collaboration: Breaking Physical Barriers
Cloud-based LIS solutions allow for remote access—a crucial feature in today’s interconnected world. Laboratory professionals can log in from anywhere, facilitating remote work which has become so common. This level of accessibility ensures that data and insights can flow effortlessly, enhancing the pace and quality of research. Of course, these accessibility benefits extend to your client users as well.
Robust Infrastructure: Beyond Traditional Limitations
One practical benefit of SaaS is reducing the need for labs to build and maintain fault-tolerant infrastructure themselves. With Diagnose, your instance runs on Google Cloud Platform with encrypted data handling and managed deployment operations.
Diagnose is also built to scale with changing order volume. As your workflows expand, infrastructure can scale without requiring your team to plan server upgrades or downtime windows.
Addressing SaaS Concerns: Vendor Lock-In
One critique often leveled against SaaS solutions is the issue of vendor lock-in. Essentially, this arises when customers feel trapped with a provider due to various reasons, be it stringent contract terms, data retrieval issues, or the sheer difficulty of transitioning to a different service.
At Anima Software, we’ve taken practical steps to reduce this concern. We avoid long-term contracts so labs can evaluate fit without being locked into a multi-year agreement.
Moreover, in the unfortunate event that Diagnose doesn’t resonate with your needs, we commit to providing all your instance data. This ensures a smoother transition to a new provider, should you decide to make a switch. Our intention is to foster trust, not to tether you unwillingly.
Addressing SaaS Concerns: Local Instrument Interfaces
One of the technical challenges laboratories often face with cloud-hosted LIS is integrating instruments that communicate exclusively via local networks or serial connections. How does one bridge the gap between local devices and the cloud?
At Anima Software, we’ve built a proprietary connector for this use case. Once deployed on your local network, it establishes an encrypted HTTPS connection with your LIS instance for order/result exchange. Our team handles setup and validation with your lab.
Security First: Unwavering Commitment to Your Data
In today’s digital age, ensuring the security and privacy of sensitive data is not just an option but an absolute necessity. Recognizing this, we’ve implemented encryption as a foundational element in our system. From the very moment a document is stored to its transit during integrations and even during routine daily access, encryption wraps it in a robust layer of protection.
We fully grasp the critical nature of patient data. Trusting us with this information is a responsibility we don’t take lightly. Therefore, beyond just encryption, we employ a multi-layered approach to security, ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and availability at all times. You can rest assured, with our unwavering commitment, your patient data is not just stored—it’s safeguarded.
Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Laboratory Management
The evolution of laboratory operations is undeniable. As technology propels forward, it’s not just about keeping pace but about optimizing operations, enhancing research quality, and driving efficiencies. With SaaS-based LIS, like Diagnose, labs can tap into the transformative power of the cloud, ensuring their systems are agile, cost-effective, and ahead of the curve.
If your current LIS is slowing operations or creating avoidable billing friction, cloud deployment is worth evaluating. Diagnose is built to support that transition with practical implementation and day-to-day usability for lab teams.
Book a demo to see how this works with your workflow.