Could you start by introducing yourself and sharing a bit about your role at LabVantage?
My name is Denise Bell. I am the director of product management at LabVantage and I have been working with the company for two and a half years. Since I am a scientist by trade and was once a customer, I’m in a unique position to have actually used the product. So, I feel I can really speak on behalf of the customer.
LabVantage just announced Version 8.9 of its industry-leading LIMS platform. Can you share some of the key enhancements in this update and how they address customer needs?
We know that laboratories deal with very complex workflows, and labs are under pressure to reduce cost and time while still producing high-quality, reliable results efficiently So, our latest release is all about modernizing the platform, building efficiencies, and making it user-friendly. To do this, we have started enhancing our user interface experience.
We began with our stability study management module, to introduce enhancements without overhauling the entire platform, ensuring a smooth transition for our customers. Recognizing that a full-scall change could be overwhelming, we took a more focused approach. Another key improvement was the enhancement of our list pages with the updated user interface– and what this update particularly valuable is the added level of personalization that you can do.
Most list pages are set up with predefined columns, users now have the flexibility to personalize their view – hiding unnecessary information or rearranging columns to prioritize data according to their workflow. For example, if users prefer to see their sample ID before the sample name they can just drag and drop to reorder it. With LabVantage 8.9, we added familiar, intuitive features seen in modern software we use everyday, seamlessly integrating them into our system to enhance the overall user experience.
We have focused on strengthening security and ensuring a robust underlying framework. By doing this, we continue to maintain best-in-class standards, staying aligned with the latest advancements in technology.
LabVantage at Pittcon 2025. Image Credit:LabVantage
One of Version 8.9's highlights is its focus on improving lab productivity and efficiency. Can you provide a real-world example of how these updates translate into tangible benefits for labs?
Personalizing your work makes it easier to complete tasks efficiently and seamlessly. With information readily available through personalization, there’s no need for time-consuming searches. We’re also incorporating more hands-free capabilities, focusing ways to streamline data entry and minimize manual processes.. By integrating solutions on the front end for users, and back end for system maintenance, we are driving greater efficiency and ease of use across the board.
As laboratories increasingly integrate digital transformation strategies, how does LabVantage 8.9 support automation, AI, or cloud-based workflows?
We prioritize cloud technology, which enables seamless integration with our analytics platform. Some features are out-of-the-box and ready-to-use, including powerful analytics and reporting tools designed to optimize lab performance and maintenance. This includes predictive and sustainability analysis, addressing key trends laboratories want to track to speed up innovation.
Lab informatics is evolving rapidly. What do you see as the biggest trends shaping the future of LIMS, and how is LabVantage positioning itself to stay ahead?
Lab informatics is advancing at an unprecedented pace, with key trends shaping the future of LIMS, including AI-driven automation, seamless instrument integration, cloud-based solutions, and enhanced data analytics.
At LabVantage, we are proactively innovating to stay ahead of these trends. Our system integrates with most instruments, ensuring efficient data management. It allows various file types to be uploaded and organizes them, significantly reducing manual data entry. By structuring all data within the system, we enhances productivity and enable deeper insights. Users can analyze data trends to inform future product development and optimize workflows.
Looking ahead, AI, generative AI, and machine learning are transforming laboratory informatics. LabVantage is focused on integrating AI-driven automation and AI bots to create a truly digital lab experience and ease the workload for lab professionals. These AI bots can present data, guide users through workflows, and provide intelligent assistance. By continuously evolving our platform with cutting-edge technology, LabVantage is helping laboratories future-proof their operations and maximize the value of their data.
LabVantage at Pittcon 2025. Image Credit: LabVantage
Pittcon is a major event for the scientific and analytical community. What excites you most about being at this year’s conference?
Pittcon helps us connect with customers and industry leaders. We’re discussing AI trends, industry challenges, and how we can support labs in solving problems. Whether through AI bots, enhanced integrations, or expanded capabilities, our goal is to boost productivity, efficiency, and accuracy while accelerating innovation.
With the launch of LabVantage 8.9, what’s next for LabVantage? Are there any exciting developments or future innovations on the horizon that you can share with us?
Exciting developments are on the horizon particularly in user experience enhancements. We’re developing semantic layering, enabling users to search both internal LIMS data and external public data seamlessly. This innovation will allow users to ask complex questions and receive precise data-driven insights, transforming the way information is accessed and utilized. These advancements mark a significant step forward, and we look forward to delivering even more groundbreaking capabilities in the future.
Where can readers find more information?
PRESS RELEASE (LABVANTAGE 8.9): https://www.labvantage.com/blog/labvantage-solutions-unveils-version-8-9-of-its-industry-leading-lims-platform-to-improve-lab-productivity-and-efficiency/
PRESS RELEASE (LABVANTAGE CUSTOMER SUCCESS SERVICES): https://www.labvantage.com/blog/labvantage-solutions-introduces-customer-success-portfolio-to-optimize-lims-management-and-user-experience/
About Denise Bell
Denise Bell, Director, Product Management, LabVantage Solutions Denise has over 25 years of laboratory experience and over 13 years of IT experience in the LIMS and LIS sectors with large healthcare systems and Fortune 500
companies, including UPMC, AHN and PPG. Prior to joining LabVantage, she successfully implemented LabVantage LIMS and several healthcare LIS solutions to support executives with their laboratory digital transformation projects. Denise is a certified product manager and holds a BS in Clinical Laboratory Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
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