About LDMS

LDMS is specifically designed for the needs of small and medium-sized research laboratories. It is available for Windows or as a web application. Laboratories generally use LDMS on one platform only. The Windows version must be installed on individual machines, but can utilize a centralized LDMS server installed at the laboratory. The web version does not require additional software to be installed and can be used in most web browsers. Users of the web version do not need to maintain a local database or create backups of data.

LDMS can perform many tasks, including the following:

• cataloging specimen information, such as its volume, additive, and current condition
• managing the transfer of specimen information between laboratories
• generating labels for specimens
• reading and entering assay result information
• keeping track of where specimens are located in storage units

Frontier Science manages data for laboratories using LDMS in a secure environment that meets the standards of 21 CFR Part 11 and NIST/FISMA guidelines.

LDMS was initially released for Windows in 1998 to collect data for HIV-related clinical trials.

The first projects to use LDMS were the Adult and Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Groups (AACTG and PACTG, now known as ACTG and IMPAACT). While LDMS continues to be used heavily by projects that focus on HIV and related cohorts, it is also used for many other specialized research purposes, including hepatitis C (HCV) and influenza studies, proficiency testing programs, and specimen repositories.

In 2014, Frontier Science released the web version LDMS.

Since the release of the web version of LDMS, Frontier Science has focused on the development of the web version.

The Windows version of LDMS continues to be maintained, and several updates to the Windows version have been released since the introduction of the web version. LDMS for Windows releases generally focus on improving existing features and project-specific changes. When possible, new laboratories should generally use the web version. When a new laboratory is set up, Frontier Science will guide the laboratory through the process of selecting and installing the appropriate version for their needs.

Laboratories are able to ship specimens to and receive specimens from other laboratories, regardless of which version of LDMS the laboratories are using. There may be other concerns when laboratories using the Windows and web versions need to work together. Frontier Science can work with laboratories to determine how to best handle different scenarios.