Abstracts of papers presented at the 2008 pittsburgh conference.

George Gallatig and John Petrakis Introducing a standardized enterprise-wide solution can lower the total cost of ownership (TCO) for laboratory information management systems (LIMSs). Electronic notebooks (ELNs) can improve the personal productivity of analysts working in research and quality-control laboratories. Data management and data warehouse systems provide ready access to information, and can help reduce search time and duplication of effort by knowledge workers. Providing integrated analytical tool kits and training for scientists can reduce some of the chaos, support costs for research, and provide new opportunities for sharing and building on innovative ideas. We intuitively know that there is value in implementing these laboratory informatics solutions. These solutions help companies in all industries to produce better products with shorter development cycle times and at lower cost. However, business decisions to acquire them have to be based on the review of a business case including a cost justification. This presentation will present ideas and a model for calculating the benefits for laboratory informatics solutions. The model will include rules of thumb based on industry experience for projecting productivity improvements resulting from the introduction of technology to replace functions typically performed manually like data entry, data access, or compilation of reports. However, projections of productivity improvement are only part of the story. These need to be translated into actual benefits that are measurable by the corporation in terms of speed, productivity, or cost. The author will describe strategies for accomplishing this. These will be supported by examples. This will be a valuable presentation for anyone involved in looking at the impact of the introduction of laboratory informatics technology, whether developing a business case or looking at benefits being captured by systems that have been implemented.