An important aspect of any LIMS application is the long-term support and maintenance over its lifespan.  A LIMS will be in operation for many years, and during this time, there will be a need for end user support, application enhancements to reflect changes to business processes, additional material specifications and test methods, and new requirements that will need to be evaluated and implemented. Many companies rely on Application Managed Services (AMS) providers for their system support and technical application changes, as it’s less costly than maintaining those skills in-house. In this piece, we explore five benefits of LIMS AMS. 

Five Benefits of LIMS AMS 

A good AMS provider will provide: 

1. End user support: Depending on the application support structure, your LIMS AMS provider can perform day-to-day tasks, like user account monitoring, or more complex requests, like addressing error messages that users may encounter or querying the database for specific data that isn’t immediately accessible to users. In some support models, there are business super users who can handle smaller and simpler requests, and then escalate the more complex requests to the AMS team as necessary. The model used will depend on the business resources that can be trained to perform Level 1 support and the budget available to maintain the AMS team.   
2. Static data creation and updates: As SOPs, Work Instructions (WIs), and other governing documents are updated or created, the application will need to be similarly updated to support the business process change. Creation, validation, and migration of the supporting static data should be supported by your AMS provider. These static data elements cover items such as material specifications, stability templates, and test methods. They can also be a great resource for assisting the business in documentation updates. 
3. Minor system enhancements: As the end users gain familiarity with the system, there will likely be application updates that they would like to be implemented. Some of the changes will be complex and require a project to implement, but other minor changes can be handled by your AMS team. Changes to a report, the addition of fields to a database table, adding a visual workflow or dashboard, or minor changes to customization can typically be handled without necessitating a project depending on the organization. 
4. Change management support: Changes to the application can mean that there will be SOPs, WIs, and/or training content that must be updated to reflect the changes. As the AMS team is the one responsible for making the changes, they’re also a great resource for assisting the business in updating this content.   
5. Validation support: Not only do changes to the application require documentation updates, but every change must be tested and validated to ensure that the GxP status of the system isn’t compromised. Whether through drafting and executing test scripts, assisting business resources with User Acceptance Testing, or providing relevant information for the change control, your AMS team can help with executing the validation process for all system updates. 

Connecting with a Trusted LIMS AMS Partner 

Your lab should be spending more time utilizing the innovative capabilities of a modern LIMS and less time managing upkeep, troubleshooting, or reacting to potential integration or technical issues. To learn more about the key benefits of LIMS AMS, connect with our team today. Our AMS model for LIMS helps reduce total cost of ownership while increasing productivity, reducing operational risk, and mitigating issues quickly.