Features and Benefits

Modern, Web-Based Laboratory Information Management System

Bika LIMS is a powerful, open-source Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) built on the robust Plone framework.It combines security, traceability, and performance in one modern, web-based platform

Web-Based Client Portal

Empower your clients with direct, secure access to your laboratory through a fully web-based client portal.
With Bika LIMS, clients can:

Request new analyses online — anytime, from any device
Track sample progress in real time, with automatic status updates
View, download, and query test results instantly after approval

Unlike older “web-enabled” systems that rely on partial integrations, Bika LIMS is natively web-based, built in Plone, one of the most secure and reliable enterprise content management frameworks available today

This ensures true cloud accessibility, data integrity, and client transparency — essential for modern digital laboratories

in bezel

Dashboard & User Experience

Bika LIMS offers an intelligent, user-friendly dashboard that gives lab managers and technicians a clear overview of operations

Monitor sample workflows, turnaround times, and instrument activity at a glance
Navigate effortlessly through projects, clients, and analyses
Gain instant performance insights for continuous improvement

The responsive interface adapts across desktop and mobile devices, streamlining the lab experience for both staff and clients.

Instrument Management

Integrate your lab instruments directly with Bika LIMS for full automation and compliance.

Bidirectional instrument interfaces enable seamless data exchange
Automatically import and export sample IDs, worksheets, and results
Track instrument calibration, maintenance, and validation records to ensure full equipment compliance

With real-time data synchronization, your laboratory achieves greater accuracy, traceability, and operational efficiency and a dramatic improvement in turnaround time

Quality Control & Assurance

Maintain uncompromising analytical integrity through integrated QC management:

Validate methods, analyses, and instruments continuously
Manage reference analyses and generate control charts automatically
Receive alerts for out-of-range results and launch corrective action workflows
Define product specifications, detection limits, and tolerance thresholds

Sample Storage

Track samples effortlessly from receipt to archive. Visualize sample placement with graphic shelf layouts

Full Audit Trail

Every object, every change, every time.
Bika LIMS maintains a complete audit trail for samples, results, methods, instruments, and system configuration, ensuring full traceability for ISO 17025 and GLP compliance.

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Deliver professional, digitally signed Certificates of Analysis with full traceability, ensuring regulatory compliance and data integrity.

Generate single- or multi-sample COAs directly from the LIMS

Deliver results automatically via email, PDF, CSV

Manage provisional COAs, final approvals, and republications

Preview COAs in real time within the LIMS report view

Spacer 400

System Integration

Bika LIMS includes a RESTful API for seamless integration with external systems such as ERP

Sample and Aliquot Management

Handle complex sample workflows with full transparency to ensure precise control and compliance across all analytical activities:

Batching and bulk imports for high-volume processing
Aliquoting and sample partitioning with parent/child traceability
Prioritization and rejection workflows for quality assurance
Visual storage management linked to sample locations

Billing

Bika LIMS simplifies your laboratory billing and administration. Built-in billing saves time and improves transparency between technical and administrative teams.

Automation and Smart Processing

Reduce manual effort and eliminate calculation errors with configurable automation:

Custom calculations and unit conversions
Define and reuse editable templates for analysis profiles, worksheets, and reference specifications
Bulk sample import for large data sets
Import field or subcontracted results directly into the LIMS

Automation ensures consistency and frees analysts to focus on data quality.

Multilingual

Bika LIMS supports a growing number of languages — including English, Spanish, German, Polish, Chinese (中文), and Thai (ไทย).
Using Transifex, labs can easily add or customize translations for their local teams or clients

Background Processing

Keep the system responsive even during heavy workloads:

Submit intensive tasks for asynchronous background processing
Continue other work while imports, calculations, or report generations run in the background

Document Management & Version Control

Manage all your laboratory documentation directly within the LIMS:

Store, organize, and version-control SOPs, methods, and accreditation documents
Maintain revision histories for quality and compliance audits
Manage marketing materials and certificates alongside analytical documents

Integrated document control simplifies ISO 17025, GLP, and internal QA compliance.

Robust, Secure, and Reliable

Bika LIMS benefits from the stability and security of Linux and Plone’s enterprise-grade architecture:

Rock-solid reliability for continuous lab operations
End-to-end encryption and advanced access control
Designed for uptime, data integrity, and resilience

Labs enjoy the confidence of a platform trusted worldwide in scientific, healthcare, and industrial environments

Low Total Cost of Ownership

Own your system — completely

Full code ownership: all source code and customizations belong to your lab

Free to adapt, extend, and share — in true open-source spirit

No license fees, no user limits, no vendor lock-in

Minimal IT overhead — no complex benchtop installs, low hardware requirements

COA preview LIMS page 15"

Improved Turnaround and Accuracy

Transform your lab’s efficiency by moving from spreadsheets to a web-based, automated LIMS:

Cut turnaround times (TAT) by up to two-thirds
Integrate barcoding and bidirectional instrument interfaces for seamless data flow
Eliminate manual data entry and reduce human error

Bika helps laboratories deliver results faster — and with greater accuracy

Laptop screen with Results per Sample Point plot

Flexible and Customizable

Every laboratory operates differently. Bika LIMS adapts to your workflow:

Configurable analyses, methods, and forms
Extend with custom modules or integrations

Its open architecture and modular design make Bika one of the most flexible LIMS platforms available

Easy to Use and Accessible

Bika’s web-based interface ensures high satisfaction for both clients and staff:

Access from any device, in any browser
Fully multilingual interface for global teams
No desktop disruption — updates and features deploy instantly
Clients can submit samples, view results, and access training material directly through the Lab Web Portal

Reduced Administration & Effortless Accreditation

Simplify record-keeping and compliance with data at your fingertips:

Centralized document management for SOPs and methods
Easy audit preparation and ISO 17025 support

Everything your team needs is securely available online — reducing admin time and paperwork

Scalable Enterprise Framework

Built on Plone, a proven enterprise CMS, Bika LIMS scales naturally as your lab grows.

Whether supporting a single analytical department or a nationwide laboratory network, performance remains fast and stable

High-Quality, Peer-Reviewed Open Source Code

Open source isn’t just philosophy — it’s quality assurance:

Every line of code is peer-reviewed and automatically tested
Continuous integration ensures stable upgrades
Backed by a community of early adopters and professional developers

This collaborative model ensures longevity, maintainability, and trust

Professional Services and Active Community

Bika Labs and the open-source community offer full support for setup, customization, and maintenance.

Service-based pricing - you pay for expertise, not for licenses

Supported by professional open-source developers and integrators

A global user and contributor community ensures continuous improvement