Cloud LIMS vs On-Premise LIMS

Cloud deployment

• Vendor manages hosting, backups and infrastructure
• Faster to start, with no server procurement
• Subscription cost is operational rather than capital
• Upgrades arrive on the vendor's schedule, which can be an advantage or a validation burden
• Remote and multi-site access is straightforward
• Depends on internet connectivity for laboratory operations

On-premise deployment

• You control servers, versions and upgrade timing
• Data stays within your own infrastructure and network
• Instrument connectivity is often simpler on a local network
• Requires IT capability, backup regimes and disaster recovery of your own
• Higher up-front cost, plus ongoing infrastructure and IT effort
• Upgrades happen when you resource them, which sometimes means never

Decision factors that usually settle it

• Data residency, sovereignty or contractual restrictions on where data may sit
• Whether you have IT capacity to run and secure a system properly
• Validation approach and tolerance for vendor-driven upgrades
• Number of sites and remote access needs
• Instrument integration complexity and volume of data transferred
• Connectivity reliability at the laboratory itself
• Business continuity and exit planning, including data export

Ask about, whichever you choose

• Backup frequency, restore testing and recovery objectives
• Uptime commitments and what remedies exist
• Security certifications and penetration testing practice
• Upgrade notice periods and validation support
• Data export format and assistance if you terminate
• What happens to your data if the vendor is acquired or ceases trading

A note on pricing

We do not publish instrument or software prices. Real transaction prices depend on configuration, condition, accessories, service coverage, installation, region and negotiation, and published list figures are rarely what a laboratory pays. Where you need a figure to plan with, request quotations against a written specification.