Lockbox LIMS

Avantages

We built our Lockbox LIMs to as our entire data center and management system for our SARsCov2 Diagnostic Lab. From an operations standpoint, this software has been one of the most critical tools for our ability to test and report clinical patient results. By far the best part of the software is that it enables me to get results out the door, and once those results are out, I don't need to think about them again. TWA and Lockbox Lims keeps all of our data safe and secure, and the dashboards and reports keep us properly informed about the status of the lab at any given time.

Inconvénients

Error handling in Lockbox LIMs can be confusing for a novice user. Because our software pipeline was highly customized, there are unusual ways in which errors can arise. It did take some time to gain an intuition for what was happening under the hood to cause issues to arise. The good news is that [SENSITIVE CONTENT] was intimately involved with our workflow and daily use as we established and modified Lockbox LIMs, so help and an explanation was never far away.

Avantages

The first strength is the design of the lockbox schema, that covers most of the basic LIMS features required by any laboratory that may need GCLP or GMP level requirements, including database encryption, tracking of sample custody, protocol/SOP management, and implementation of electronic forms and data entry when implementing protocols.

A second and most important strength go this lies is the ability to customize what the LIMS tracks, and share information using collaborative portals, that enable multi-site communications and coordinate data entry and dissemination. Rules and design are configured in the lims using an easy to use desktop like interface, then the same rules are pushed to a portal through the force 'lightning interface'.

Finally, and what ultimately is responsible for all the functionality, is how the force API was leveraged to design a logically consistent set of LIMS applicable features that provide easy to use desktop like configuration tools so the end user organization.

Inconvénients

There is nothing I really don't like about the software. However the underlying Force API is a very powerful and has many features, and it would have been useful to have shorter case/article documentation to provide more focused help for the Lockbox Lims application itself for administrator and end users. Since we had started using the Lims, Thirdwave had published a support portal with a searchable knowledge base that contains articles for the common administrative tasks for managing the Lockbox application, that provides specific guidance to setting up and managing Lockbox features.

Avantages

Working with the Professional team of [SENSITIVE CONTENT] and they understanding my needs and catering to it.

Inconvénients

The system is a bit stubborn for customization

Avantages

Customer service 6/5, easy to customize and understand, out of the box solutions encourages and enabled!

Inconvénients

A bit slow on the compute every so often but that's honestly probably just my internet at home.

Avantages

1) Price.
2) Value.
3) ease of use
4) customization options and availabilty
5) Third Wave Analytics team
after looking at products that were way out of our league in terms of price, lockbox lims was not only at a price we could afford, provided us with value that has proven itself over the years, and with the ease of use and non technical computer users easily adapted to teh software. The software is able to be customized for the needs of the lab and make work easier. GREAT PRODUCT!!!

Inconvénients

as with any software there are items that we wanted and could not make happen. there were certain customizations that Third Wave bent backwards to assist us in making customizations. those things come at a cost. as an early adopter of this product there is more available today than was previously due to lack of development. still implementing those new API's is not free. Understandable but wish it could be.

Avantages

ThirdWave Analytics created a COVID testing lab LIMS for us in record time, and has continued to be a valued partner in enhancing and expanding into novel diagnostics. Customer service is great!

Inconvénients

Due to the relationships between objects in the database, some analyses require a workaround LIMS and it is not always intuitive how to do these workarounds. Our ThirdWave Analytics partner is always available to assist.

Avantages

The software is simple to use and there are many ways for you to complete the same task. Using other software in the past was so frustrating as you have to be exact and complete the tasks in the same manner. If you made an incorrect click nothing would work as expected. Whereas with Lockbox LIMS, the software is very user-friendly and logical, which is a major benefit to people in my profession. It has been so easy for us to incorporate this into our daily functioning to save us so much time and energy.

Inconvénients

Due to the nearly limitless possibilities, it was difficult initially to figure out exactly what we needed. We had to go through several iterations in order to get to our current final product. We had become so fixed in using our spreadsheet based tracking that we initially created something that was not as useful as it could have been. However, after working with our primary contact at Third Wave on a regular basis we were able to develop something fantastic. She had many great ideas and based on her knowledge and experience we were able to greatly increase our productivity.

Avantages

I appreciate the flexibility of the software to be changed to meet our various needs. We have customized a lot to meet our unique needs.

Inconvénients

There is a finite upper limit on the amount of customization that can be done, but it is manageable to work around.

Avantages

Ease of use and implementation, flexibility, customer service.

Inconvénients

My only "con" so-to-speak for the software is that some of my colleagues never fully realized how powerful it was.

Avantages

Modularity is a key component for us as a microbiology lab. Customization is where the system shines and is a major need satisfied.

Inconvénients

Initially the paradigm shift was a factor with us. We were implementing a number of software changes across the board and reached saturation for picking up new procedures.

Avantages

Very user-intuitive. Backed by functionality of salesforce platform makes it very easy to integrate all the necessary information, categorize by multiple differentiation points, easy reporting, easy viewing of all pertinent information in one spot.

Inconvénients

Primary links based on internal numbering scheme as opposed to user-designated fields (e.g. links for patients are not MRN but internal "Subject" numbers so you have multiple reference points).

Avantages

The possibilities with Lockbox go on and on. What started as a desire to improve our inventory management has grown to incorporate most of the lab aspects of our business. It is very flexible and easy to use and customize. Customer service is top-notch and they are willing to listen to ideas for future improvements and customer needs. Also, being built on Salesforce, having access to the Salesforce AppExchange cannot be overlooked.

Inconvénients

Initially, it was hard to wrap my head around how much the software could do if we wanted to use it to its maximum potential.

Avantages

The software is easy to use and intuitive. Our workflow is very complicated and the software was able to handle it.

Inconvénients

The audit trail could be improved to more easily capture why changes were made. A better e-signature process.

Avantages

We like how user friendly it is. We were able to get up and running on Lockbox to track our samples and projects within a few days. The screens are very user friendly. If we have questions, they answer them quickly. The software has helped us keep track of our samples and project status. Before we were using Excel. We are a CRO and Lockbox make our projects (samples, results, reports) much more organized.

Inconvénients

When we first started using the software 2 years ago, the box map feature was not as nice as it is now. Now it provides even better features to customize which fields can be displayed. We have been too busy to turn on the new feature, but wished we had been trained on it initially because it is a nice way to find samples in boxes.

Avantages

I like that the lab can update statuses of submissions in the queue in real-time. Previously we were using PDFs/paper forms and manually typing the billing items into a spreadsheet. With the LIMS, I'm able to run reports for any status that I need in my billing process.

Inconvénients

I think that building the LIMS for our needs was a bit complex. Our lab has multiple services and within those services multiple options for a service. There seemed to be many meetings explaining how we needed the service requests built into the LIMS, but once everything was ironed out, it seems to flow well.

Avantages

We have tried several LIMS systems, and Lockbox is by far the best one. Its simple, affordable, user-friendly, and have good graphic inter phase. We were able to pick it up from the beginning. Also, the customer support is amazing, they are always responisve and make follow ups on every query. The team is always implementing upgrades and finding ways to make us, the customers, happier.

Inconvénients

Using salesforce is always a little of a learning curve, but as I said, we were able to pick it up really fast.

Avantages

Really liked how easy the software is to customize and integrated with Salesforce.

Inconvénients

The testing required after an update to ensure all the changes took place and current or existing features didn't get lost or changed.

Avantages

This software is easy to use and keeps the lab organized.

Inconvénients

Some database knowledge is needed while you set up the database but the support received makes it easy and user friendly.

Avantages

The software is easy to use and very helpful in managing the the samples and keeping them organized

Inconvénients

The configuration can be some how limited and you need a little bit of background in data base to be able to use it but it comes with a full demo so you can pick it up very easily

Avantages

The software has a wide range of features that can be customized to suit different lab workflows.

Inconvénients

Due to the wide range of features, users might get confused about the necessary steps required for their actions. Thus, it is important for the administrators to enable only the necessary features for the particular groups of users.

Avantages

Lockbox provide excellent support, staff very kind and competent.

Inconvénients

Configuration can be limited at some point.