Industry Insights
Expert Advice for a Successful LIMS System/LIS System Implementation
August 7, 2026
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Editor's Note: This Industry Insights article was first published on February 17, 2023, and has been updated since.
LigoLab CEO Suren Avunjian recently participated in a CLPMag.com cover story that focused on what ensures a successful implementation of laboratory information management system (LIMS) and laboratory information system (LIS) software. In the article, authored by Aimee O’Driscoll, industry thought leaders offer expert advice based on past experiences.
Discover More: Differences Between Laboratory Information Management Systems (Lab LIMS) and Laboratory Information Systems (LIS Systems)
The article highlights the 7 Best Practices that all clinical labs should follow as they open this important process. It’s a must-read for any lab contemplating the impact an LIS software upgrade would have on its business future.
Discover More: The Future of LIS Systems and Personalized Medicine
Avunjian's LIS Laboratory Information System Tips and Suggestions
Key tips and suggestions from Avunjian in this laboratory information system software implementation article included:
- Don't just choose laboratory information system vendors; choose LIS lab partners.
- Approach the decision with a long-term view, ensuring that the chosen lab information system can adapt as the lab grows and evolves.
- Beware of hidden costs and expensive medical LIS software add-ons.
- Assign a project lead to manage the entire LIS system implementation from start to finish.
- When possible, always choose a comprehensive medical laboratory information system over multiple laboratory software systems to eliminate data silos and connectivity issues.
- Commit to validating LIS software configurations and the desired clinical lab workflow.
Discover More: The Best Laboratory Information System Companies and the Advantages They Offer to Their Laboratory Clients
Highlighting LigoLab's Laboratory Information System Implementation Process
Now's a good opportunity to expand beyond the CLP article and highlight LigoLab's detailed approach to implementing its all-in-one medical LIS and laboratory revenue cycle management (RCM) informatics platform.
Comprehensive Support and Laboratory Information System Implementation Expertise
LigoLab provides comprehensive, end-to-end support throughout every stage of the laboratory information system implementation process, from initial planning and configuration to go-live and long-term optimization. Backed by decades of medical LIS implementation experience, the LigoLab team delivers a seamless transition, 24/7 customer support at no additional cost, and ongoing guidance to help laboratories maximize performance long after deployment.
A Tested and Validated Lab Information System Implementation Process
Since 2006, LigoLab has refined its medical laboratory information system implementation methodology, guiding clinical labs and pathology practices through a structured six-stage deployment timeline:
- Project Agreement and Preparation
- Domain Analysis: Mapping lab operations within the laboratory information system
- Realization: Configuring business processes and LIS system setup
- Final Preparation: Training, testing, and issue resolution
- Go-Live and Support: Transitioning to LIS lab production
- Post-Go-Live Maintenance: Ongoing LIS system enhancements
Notably, LigoLab has never experienced a rollback of its comprehensive laboratory information system platform following implementation.
Key Features of LigoLab's LIS System Implementation
Dedicated Project Management: Regular meetings to track milestones, tasks, and quality throughout the entire implementation.
Data Migration Expertise: Seamless transition from legacy LIS systems and laboratory billing solutions with minimal disruption.
Customizable Laboratory Workflow Management: Tailored configurations for pathology, clinical, surgical, and lab revenue cycle management requirements.
Risk Management and Scalability: A flexible, evolving medical LIS software platform with continuous updates and built-in training.
LIS System Training and Support Tools
LigoLab's Online Guide: Comprehensive manuals and training videos available on demand.
Regular Webinars and User Conferences: Continuous learning opportunities that keep lab staff current on new features and best practices.
Hands-On Training: Live implementation support and LIS system best-practice guidance from experienced specialists.
LigoLab is a long-established LIS company that ensures a collaborative, adaptable, and future-proof clinical and pathology lab management platform, offering a scalable and customizable environment to support laboratory growth and operational efficiency.
Discover More: LigoLab’s Unique Approach to LIS System Implementation and Support
Modernizing Medical Labs with Innovation: LigoLab's Commitment to Excellence
"Innovation is essential for modern medical labs to enhance productivity, strengthen customer relationships, streamline operations, and maximize value," said Avunjian.
Defining True Innovation in Laboratory Information Systems
In the laboratory information system software industry, the term "innovation" is often overused as a marketing buzzword. However, for clinical labs and pathology groups to rise above significant challenges and remain relevant, true innovation is a necessity.
Innovation enables them to navigate obstacles such as increasing test volumes, declining reimbursements, complex payer requirements, rising supply costs, and a shortage of skilled personnel.
LigoLab, a progressive LIS software company founded on customer-driven innovation, has remained committed to developing cutting-edge pathology LIS systems since its launch in 2006.
Unlike many LIS software vendors backed by private equity, LigoLab took an unconventional approach, relying on customer funding rather than investor capital. This decision enabled the LIS company to prioritize long-term customer success over short-term shareholder profits, fostering a culture of continuous product development and service excellence.
Industry Insights: Why LigoLab’s Funding Choice Nearly Two Decades Ago Continues to Benefit the Company and Its Customers
Customer-Centric Growth and Laboratory Information System Differentiation
LigoLab reinvests more than half of its revenue into research and development, driving continuous innovation. This sustained investment ensures the platform evolves with the rapidly changing diagnostic landscape, equipping laboratories with advanced capabilities that enhance efficiency, support growth, and help them stay ahead of the competition.
In contrast to rigid, outdated legacy laboratory information systems, LigoLab's modern and scalable laboratory informatics platform delivers unmatched functionality, automation, and traceability. This technological edge enables laboratories to strengthen client relationships, win new business, and unlock new sources of revenue.
Discover More: Essential Anatomic Pathology LIS Software Features to Optimize Laboratory Workflow
Free Laboratory Information System Software Updates and Transparent Pricing
One of LigoLab's core values is its commitment to free LIS software updates with no hidden fees. Since day one, the company has provided unlimited user seats and modules, enabling laboratory partners to scale confidently without unexpected costs. Unlike many legacy LIS systems, LigoLab's transparent LIS model is fully aligned with its customers' success.
How LigoLab Makes Updates Effortless
Keeping your laboratory information system current is simple with LigoLab's built-in version release management. Integrated directly into the platform, this feature enables laboratory directors and LIS administrators to preview, evaluate, and adopt new functionality with ease.
While feature-rich updates are released quarterly, customers can upgrade on their own schedule. Updates become mandatory only after two years to ensure continued compliance, security, and platform stability.
For added convenience, all updates are scheduled overnight on a customer-selected day, ensuring zero disruption to daily lab operations.
LigoLab's Three Laboratory Information System Software Environments
To support its ever-evolving medical LIS and laboratory billing informatics platform, LigoLab provides its customers with three dedicated LIS environments:
Testing Environment: New LIS lab features are developed and validated before being made available to customers.
Training Environment: Customers can test updates, train staff, and validate new LIS lab features before adoption.
Production Environment: Updates are transferred to the live LIS system after being tested and validated in the Training Environment.
This structured approach to LIS system updates ensures maximum reliability while enabling cutting-edge functionality.
Discover More: Don’t Upgrade the Past - Invest in the Future with LigoLab’s Proven Strategies for Zero Downtime and Maximum ROI
Redefining Laboratory Information System Excellence
Since 2006, LigoLab has continuously set new standards in LIS medical software development, prioritizing customer partnerships, innovation, and advanced lab workflow automation. Its all-in-one laboratory information system and lab revenue cycle management platform empowers customers to transform operations, improve efficiency, and maintain compliance.
"Innovation is not just about adopting new technology. It's about reimagining laboratory operations to meet today's demands and anticipate future challenges," said Avunjian.
LigoLab remains committed to genuine laboratory information system innovation, driven not by buzzwords but by a mission to transform laboratory informatics.
Ready to Experience Innovation That Works for You?
LigoLab delivers real, measurable change. Explore how its integrated informatics platform is shaping the future of diagnostics and speak with a specialist today.
Act Now: Speak with a LigoLab Product Specialist!
Frequently Asked Questions About Laboratory Information System Software Implementation
What is the most important factor in a successful LIS system implementation?
Choosing the right LIS lab partner rather than simply a software vendor is the single most critical factor. A true partner brings implementation expertise, dedicated project management, ongoing support, and a long-term commitment to the lab's success. Assigning an internal project lead to manage the process from start to finish is equally important.
What are the biggest mistakes labs make when implementing a new LIS system?
Common mistakes include choosing a vendor based on price alone without evaluating long-term fit, underestimating the importance of data migration planning, failing to validate configurations against real workflows, and selecting multiple disconnected laboratory software systems instead of one comprehensive medical LIS platform. Hidden costs and expensive add-ons are also a frequent and costly surprise.
How long does a typical LIS system implementation take?
Implementation timelines vary depending on the size and complexity of the laboratory. Still, LigoLab's structured six-stage process covers everything from project preparation and domain analysis through configuration, training, go-live, and post-go-live maintenance. LigoLab has never experienced a rollback during implementation, which speaks to the reliability and thoroughness of its methodology.
What should labs look for in an LIS system implementation process?
The medical LIS partner should offer a structured and documented implementation process, dedicated project management with milestone-based execution, deep experience migrating data from legacy LIS systems, configurable workflows tailored to each laboratory, and comprehensive user training. Just as important are ongoing maintenance, continuous innovation, and post-go-live support to ensure the platform remains secure, compliant, and aligned with evolving operational requirements.
Does LigoLab charge for software updates?
No. LigoLab provides free LIS software updates with no hidden fees and offers unlimited user seats and modules from day one. Quarterly updates are released regularly, and adoption is optional until the two-year mark, when updates become mandatory for compliance and security purposes. All updates are scheduled overnight on a customer-selected day to ensure zero disruption.
What are the three LIS system environments LigoLab provides?
LigoLab provides a Testing Environment where new features are developed and validated internally, a Training Environment where customers can test updates and train staff before adoption, and a Production Environment where fully validated updates are deployed to the live system. This three-tier structure ensures reliability and gives labs full control over when and how they adopt new functionality.
How does LigoLab approach innovation differently from other LIS software vendors?
Unlike many LIS vendors backed by private equity that prioritize short-term shareholder returns, LigoLab has been funded by customers since 2006 and reinvests more than half of its revenue into research and development. This results in three to four new features released every day, all driven by real customer feedback. The focus is on long-term customer success rather than short-term profits.
Why is choosing one comprehensive LIS system better than using multiple laboratory software systems?
Using multiple disconnected laboratory software systems creates data silos, interoperability issues, and workflow inefficiencies that slow down operations and increase the risk of errors. A single, integrated medical LIS platform manages all technical and financial workflows within one unified environment, ensuring end-to-end data integrity and eliminating the need for costly middleware or manual reconciliation between systems.
