Summary
A roundtable discussion on laboratory information systems (LIS) highlighted the challenges labs face in meeting increasing demands with limited resources. The conversation emphasized the need for improved interoperability, automation, and flexibility in LIS to address complex testing workflows and workforce shortages. While mergers and acquisitions in the LIS market offer opportunities for growth and innovation, concerns were raised about vendor consolidation and the potential for reduced competition and innovation.
November 2025—Ten people met online Sept. 8 with CAP TODAY publisher Bob McGonnagle to talk about laboratory information systems, as CAP TODAY was updating its 2025 LIS guide. They talked about limited resources, interoperability, standards, and, as one participant put it: “the significant gap between the art of the possible and the current minimum capabilities.” Part two of their conversation will be published in the December issue.
Chad Meyers, what does Clinisys’ purchase of Orchard represent for your company?
Chad Meyers, VP, Clinisys Laboratory Solutions for Healthcare, Clinisys: The acquisition helps continue to strengthen our leadership position in laboratory informatics across the full spectrum not just of health care but also of public health and into the life sciences market. It’s complementary and gives us an opportunity to expand into the physician office lab, reference lab, and veterinary lab markets. Together we can equip laboratorians with the tools they need.
Beth Eder, are you looking forward to the combination?
Beth Eder, BS, CT(ASCP), director of product management, Orchard Solutions, Clinisys: We are. There’s something fantastic about two companies that love lab. Orchard and Clinisys have made powerful impacts in the laboratory information space over the past four decades. We are excited to continue that innovation by making sure the labs that are servicing patients have the best of the best. With this marriage, we’re going to be able to do that.
There was a consensus in last year’s LIS roundtable that the demands on the laboratory and laboratory information system exceed the resources in dollars and personnel that are needed to meet those demands. Bruce Friedman, can you comment on that and on the mergers we’re seeing?
Bruce Friedman, MD, emeritus professor of pathology, University of Michigan: Pathology informatics has always had to fight for resources, but we’ve been relatively successful.
I want to see increased quality and strength on the LIS side to fight what’s going on with Epic. We’re always going to be a stepchild from Epic’s perspective and Epic dominates the market, so I’m enthusiastic about growing strength as a result of mergers and new companies on the LIS side to provide better service to labs.
Gilbert Hakim, can you comment on the current environment of the LIS market?
Gilbert Hakim, founder and CEO, SCC Soft Computer: The clinical pathology lab has been stagnant because it has been commoditized, so no one looks for functionality change in that area. The frontiers are the international market as well as anatomic pathology and genetics information systems. The market is still bubbling up in those areas in terms of the resources needed. Genetics is hard to crack because the science of it changes every few months and new tests are coming to market, so delivering software in that space is challenging.