Bika LIMS User Manual re-released on Plone 6 and Volto
The Bika LIMS User Manual for Ingwe Bika LIMS 4 has been re-released in an updated online edition, rebuilt on Plone 6 with the Volto front-end
The rewrite modernises the documentation platform while preserving the depth of ISO 17025-aligned guidance that laboratories rely on for operating Bika LIMS, from configuration, workflow through sampling to results reporting, and accreditation document management
The manual is intended for laboratory managers and LIMS administrators, as well as everyday lab users such as analysts and lab clerks. It includes a dedicated chapter for lab clients, explaining how to submit analysis requests online, track their samples, and review results
Moving the manual to Plone 6 and Volto proved to be a valuable learning process. Adopting the modern block-based editing approach and new frontend architecture required rethinking parts of the content structure and presentation, but the result is a cleaner, more maintainable and future-ready documentation site
While the current release already represents a major improvement, further enhancements are planned where capacity can be found. With additional development time, features such as a lightbox feature for enlarged image viewing and refined navigation components for better browsing across the manual
Using the default Volto styling makes for a very clean site. All images in the manual are consistently from Bika Water, Bika's LIMS for environmental management, the same Analyses and Sample Types are used throughout
The updated manual reflects the ongoing evolution of modern Bika LIMS and its commitment to open-source, community-driven laboratory software and documentation