Laboratories are under more pressure than ever to produce fast, accurate results across increasingly complex testing menus. From basic chemistry panels to advanced molecular diagnostics, the ability to track, process, and report every sample accurately depends on the system managing it all. That system is the laboratory information system. An LIS ties together instruments, data, workflows, and people. It’s how a lab keeps pace, avoids errors, meets regulations, and delivers results that providers can trust. Choosing the right one isn’t a simple matter of features—it’s about fit, flexibility, and what the software allows the team to accomplish.

NovoPath

For pathology labs, NovoPath has become a favored choice. It wasn’t built to serve every possible lab type—it focuses where complexity lives. Whether it’s histology, molecular workflows, or full anatomic pathology, NovoPath brings those processes together in one system. Users aren’t clicking through tabs that don’t apply to them. The interface reflects how real cases move, from accessioning to sign-out. Slide tracking, grossing, transcription, report building—it’s all under the same roof.

Deployment is another reason it stands out. NovoPath can be implemented in a matter of weeks, not months. That’s a meaningful difference for labs with no interest in drawn-out projects. The software runs in the cloud, so labs don’t need to maintain infrastructure or schedule after-hours upgrades. It also means smaller pathology groups have access to technology that used to be out of reach. Instead of asking users to adapt to the system, NovoPath adapts to the lab.

Epic Beaker

Beaker comes into play when a hospital system already runs Epic. It’s not a standalone LIS. It’s one piece of the broader Epic suite, which means it shares the patient record, the billing framework, and the analytics tools. That kind of integration reduces friction. Orders, results, clinical notes, and lab documents all stay in one place. Clinicians don’t have to jump between platforms to find what they need.

In terms of performance, Beaker handles clinical lab workflows well. It supports chemistry, hematology, microbiology, and cytology, but its strength is not in advanced pathology or molecular use cases. For labs attached to large health systems where data continuity is the priority, Beaker makes sense. But for standalone labs or those looking for deep configurability, it may not offer enough flexibility.

Oracle Health PathNet

PathNet is Oracle Health’s answer to the LIS challenge. Like Beaker, it performs best when deployed alongside its broader ecosystem. Labs already using Oracle for inpatient systems, pharmacy, or imaging often extend that to the lab to keep things consistent. PathNet supports core clinical testing, microbiology, and some molecular functionality. It connects well with bedside ordering, barcode systems, and nursing workflows.

Its architecture is strong in environments where patient safety and compliance are top priorities. Lab managers can track productivity, monitor turnaround time, and push out changes without waiting on vendor timelines. For organizations that value control and scale, PathNet remains a steady option.

Orchard Software

Orchard LIS is well known among community hospitals and mid-sized facilities. It doesn’t require a team of analysts to run, and staff typically ramp up quickly. That’s why so many labs switching from manual tracking systems or outdated software go with Orchard first. It supports a wide range of instruments and can manage workflows across disciplines without overwhelming the user.

One of the platform’s benefits is outreach. Labs that serve physician groups or clinics often use Orchard to handle incoming orders and deliver results back to clients through clean, branded portals. It keeps turnaround time competitive and helps small labs look bigger than they are. For labs looking for straightforward functionality without enterprise-level complexity, Orchard hits the mark.

Sunquest Information Systems

Sunquest has been a workhorse in the LIS space for decades. Its software is present in many academic medical centers, national reference labs, and multi-site networks. The reason is simple—it handles volume. Whether it’s ten thousand tests a day or more, Sunquest systems can keep pace.

It also gives administrators the tools to dig into performance. Labs can track by shift, department, or instrument. Autoverification rules are mature, and supervisors can tune them to fit each test or patient population. Sunquest is often selected when the lab needs speed and reliability, especially in environments where mistakes aren’t tolerated and every second counts.

SCC Soft Computer SoftLab

SoftLab is for labs that want deep control. It offers one of the most customizable LIS platforms available. Nearly every workflow, rule, and report format can be tailored. That level of flexibility requires knowledgeable staff, but the result is a system that reflects how the lab actually operates—not just how the software was designed.

This is especially valuable in microbiology and molecular workflows, where logic trees and test panels can get complex. SoftLab handles batching, reflex testing, and result routing with detail. For labs that need their LIS to support advanced science without compromise, SCC Soft Computer provides the environment to do it.

LabWare

LabWare is often found in labs that blur the lines between clinical testing and research. It offers LIS functionality alongside components usually seen in LIMS platforms, such as inventory management, workflow modeling, and flexible data fields.

Its modular structure means labs can start with core testing functionality and add new components as they grow. Instrument integration is strong, and the system can adapt to labs that change frequently—whether that’s adding new assays, modifying workflows, or onboarding external clients. LabWare also performs well in multi-site environments, where consistency and centralized management are essential.

Clinisys

Clinisys has become a go-to for large networks, regional lab systems, and public health agencies. It was built for scale and visibility. Dashboards show where samples are in the process, which benches are falling behind, and what resources are underutilized.

It’s especially useful in coordinated environments. If a system has ten different labs feeding into one central location for specialized testing, Clinisys can keep them all aligned. Surveillance reporting is a strong feature, which is why many public health departments trust it for monitoring trends and responding to outbreaks.

CGM LABDAQ

LABDAQ fills a specific niche. It’s aimed at smaller clinical labs, specialty testing facilities, and labs tied to physician practices. Its biggest strength is ease of use. Installation is quick, the interface is clean, and most tasks can be completed with minimal training.

Compliance tracking is built in, with clear audit logs and role-based permissions. It connects well with electronic health records and billing systems, and labs can customize how results are presented to physicians. For labs that want a solid system without the bells and whistles of enterprise platforms, LABDAQ remains a practical solution.

Comp Pro Med Polytech LIS

Polytech LIS focuses on core functionality. It’s built for labs that need reliability, not fancy dashboards or deep customization. Order entry, result validation, and sample tracking work as expected. It supports chemistry, hematology, immunoassay, and some specialty testing, with enough configurability to match most small labs.

The biggest advantage of Polytech is speed. Labs can move from purchase to live operation in a short amount of time. Training is minimal, and the learning curve is gentle. For independent labs or new startups, Polytech delivers what’s needed to start operating without delay.

What to Look for in a System

The right LIS isn’t just about features. It comes down to how well the software fits the lab’s size, specialties, and long-term goals. Some labs need instrument integration above all else. Others are focused on fast implementation. Still others want deep analytics or advanced microbiology tools.

Labs already running Epic or Oracle Health often choose Epic Beaker or PathNet to maintain a consistent clinical record. Smaller labs gravitate toward Orchard or LABDAQ for their simplicity. Pathology groups may select NovoPath for its clean alignment with histology and molecular testing. Labs needing scale and performance lean toward Sunquest, SoftLab, or Clinisys. Those with research components or changing workflows often turn to LabWare.

Moving Forward

The laboratory is one of the most critical parts of patient care. Behind every result is a sequence of people, instruments, and systems working in sync. The LIS software is the engine that keeps all of it moving. It’s where orders become action, and action becomes information that physicians can use.

Every LIS on this list offers a different path to that goal. The decision isn’t about choosing the most popular name. It’s about finding the system that reflects how your lab works, what your team needs, and where your operation is headed. When that match is right, everything else gets easier—from compliance to performance to patient outcomes.