How Bika implements an Open-Source LIMS: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide

Regardless of methodology, LIMS implementations fail in labs too busy to set time aside for learning how to use what is quite a complex system

1. Discovery & Requirements Gathering

1–2 Weeks. Gap Analysis. Will standard Bika LIMS satisfy requirements or is there a need for customisations. What is the quality of setup data?

This information is also valuable to establish an accurate quote

2. Customisations

If customisations are required, they are analysed towards mutually agreed functional specification and coding scheduled to happen in parallel with ongoing Installation, Configuration and Training

3. Installation

Both Production and Test/Training LIMS, the latter can be available in half an hour (provide a logo:). Production servers on independent platforms take longer, and happen later

4. Configuration

2-3 Weeks, longer if complex

Collecting Setup data - the lab superusers are heavily involved, they provide the raw data. Which is then massaged into Bika’s upload format while maintaining DB integrity. Importing remains tricky, mostly with reference data not in line. Can be cryptic to decipher

5. Acceptance Testing

The LIMS cannot be taken into production unless they are w00% happy with it and the test the full workflow, in parallel with the old system if possible

6. Go-Live

When the lab is happy, the now refined Test Configuration is migrated to the Production LIMS and smoke tested

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Run sequentially at full capacity, the implementation should be completed in 6 weeks, in reality it takes longer, mostly through the unavailability of lab staff. 3 - 6 Months is more like it, especially if customisations have to be performed

_{Lemoene Smit, 7 April 2026}