FAQ

With our web-based, enterprise-class, scientific intelligence solutions, BioFortis empowers your researchers to easily gain scientific insights using a collaborative environment that delivers a holistic view of multiple, large and disparate data sources. below is a list of common Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If we have not listed your question, please do check out our Resources section where we have Whitepapers, Application notes and presentations on a variety of topics in biobanking, translational research, clinical study and biomarker-based discovery.

How is Labmatrix different from traditional LIMS software?

Laboratory Information Management Systems are in widespread use, particularly within the pharmaceutical industry as well as high throughputs labs and core facilities. These systems typically manage raw data resulting from a workflow as samples or materials are processed and tested. Labmatrix is different in that it more clearly belongs to the class of Research Information Management Systems (RIMS) which aggregate post-processing, statistically-valid, “clean data” from any type of assay or technology platform. This is a necessary, but often overlooked, step before analyses of combined datasets can ensue. Furthermore most LIMS are at their core, sample centric, Labmatrix was designed for translational data management which involves linking in data beyond the specimen, such as clinical and molecular data about subjects/patients which poses challenges for traditional LIMS software.

Why choose Labmatrix over Microsoft Access or Excel?

Labmatrix enables data to be accessible over the internet, in real time, 24/7 with user access control and commercial-grade security features such as a full audit trail that are not possible with Access and Excel. Traditionally, clinical and research data have resided in separate databases because of the limitation of such systems. In Labmatrix, however, the integration of clinical, genetic and molecular assay or experimental data is possible due to this level of security. Labmatrix is the only application of its kind to have passed HHS-mandated Certification and Accreditation (C&A) at the National Human Genome Research Institute, which ensures that data is protected, secure, backed up and audited at all times.

How does Labmatrix cope with the demands of the collaborative research ecosystem?

Multi-site studies or operations require access to data regardless of where it resides. Data can be accessed in Labmatrix in real time by all collaborative sites, wherever their physical location, via encrypted internet access, but limited by any permissions or restrictions set for user accounts via Labmatrix fine-grained Access Control model. Access control is an integral part of Labmatrix and enables the creation of user groups with access permissions or restrictions to any Labmatrix study, module, action and to the ability to view and manipulate Protected Health Information to facilitate HIPAA compliance. For example, a particular collaborator may have access to only the data they submit, the study subjects or samples from their site, or can be read-only in one study, but full access to another. We work closely with all our clients to ensure that access control is set appropriately for each user in a multi-site study or operation.

Why Buy rather than Build?

Simply put, customizable off-the-shelf software, such as Labmatrix allows organizations to save time and money over custom developed solution, even if that solution is implemented in-house.

Custom development costs more, both in terms of time and money, and delivers less than licensing Labmatrix:

custom development requires months to years of time in the reiterative development cycle of requirements gathering, translation to technical specifications, prototype construction, beta testing. Labmatrix is ready for you to use today!
custom development requires multiple technical personnel for the different stages of system design and build, from domain experts to project managers to the engineering and training teams. BioFortis’ technical infrastructure includes a multi-disciplinary team with the expertise and experience available to serve our customers today!
custom development requires ongoing support and training, which translates into maintaining a team of skilled personnel dedicated to these endeavours. Labmatrix training and customer support are incorporated into our licensing model, eliminating the need for maintaining FTEs. Labmatrix support personnel are cross-trained in life sciences, clinical research and IT.
custom development requires an investment in server hardware and software. Labmatrix is offered as both an enterprise installation or as a more affordable hosted solution (software as a service model) by subscribing to our professional data hosting facility.
custom development requires redundant efforts for development of customized solutions to be used for specialized applications, different therapeutic areas or research area of focus. Labmatrix is disease-neutral, supporting study of any type of disorder, both inherited and sporadic. User-driven customization provides vocabulary and ontology for therapeutic area of focus.
custom development requires maintenance of software development personnel for system upgrade for the life of the application, or risk becoming obsolete or non-interoperable. Labmatrix licensing incorporates all version upgrades, currently averaging 3 releases annually, to keep up with the pace of technology and new developments in the field.
custom development requires redundant development of technical interfaces for multi-system integration. Labmatrix is designed with interfaces to integrate with existing and future IT infrastructure, on both the clinical (ie: electronic medical record) and the molecular analytical (ie: LIMS systems or analytical software) side.
custom development requires solutions to maintain regulatory compliance. Labmatrix is built with a multi-dimensional access control engine to enable fine-tuned access permissions and restrictions for multi-site users and collaborators.
custom development delivers one-of solutions lacking the scope to support both current and future growth. Labmatrix was designed with an underlying flexible infrastructure to grow with increasing scopes of future research undertakings and goals.
custom development requires labor-intensive efforts in successive rounds of beta-testing and refinement. Labmatrix has been refined by user feedback over many years from multiple different institutes, each focusing on different therapeutic areas and incorporating cross-disciplinary, multi-functional users.

What kinds of licenses do you have? What are typical licensing costs?

Labmatrix comes with many different implementation options both in terms of licensing options, add-on functionality, customization, hosting and professional services. For further information about Labmatrix pricing for your specific configuration, please contact BioFortis at 443-276-2464 or send an e-mail to info@biofortis.com.

Licensing options:

Labmatrix is sold by subscription licensing. There are a number of different types of Labmatrix licenses, and a different combination of which will work for every research group or organization, depending on access needs and Labmatrix usage.

Named user licenses provide access on demand to a single, named user.
Shared user licenses enable Labmatrix access to multiple users, each maintaining their individual access permissions and restrictions, but concurrent access is limited to the number of shared licenses purchased.
Enterprise / site licenses enable unlimited Labmatrix access for all members of an organization, institute or department.
Contact licensing@biofortis.com for further questions regarding Labmatrix licenses.

Optional functionality:

Barcode licensing enables formatting and printing specimen barcodes from within Labmatrix. If you are already barcoding specimens with different software, you can still capture the existing barcode for sample identification even without barcode licensing.
Pedigree viewer licensing is available for automatic, interactive generation of family pedigrees to support inherited disease research. Pedigrees are generated based on familial relationships captured in Labmatrix and can be exported as JPEG or XML.
API and HL7 developer licenses are available as options to integrate Labmatrix into existing IT infrastructure or further data generation. API licensing enables access to your data in a manner amenable for data mining, predictive algorithm development, electronic data import and export and other bioinformatics utility.

Data hosting options:

Data hosting is available through secure professional data centers featuring redundant system security, backup and network connectivity. Advantages include cost and time savings, rapid database setup and no upfront investment in server hardware and software configuration.

Enterprise installation options are available for customers requiring installation of Labmatrix™ onsite on client servers.

Professional Services:

Professional services are available for customized options such as consulting, specialized user interfaces, customer projects, etc.