How does Calira compare to a LIMS?

Calira is not a LIMS and doesn’t try to be one. They solve different problems.

What a LIMS does

A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) manages samples, experiments, workflows, and compliance data. It’s the system of record for what happens in the lab scientifically: sample tracking, test results, chain of custody, regulatory reporting.

What Calira does

Calira manages the operational side: who books which equipment, when, and for how long. It handles scheduling, access control, maintenance tracking, and usage reporting. It’s the system of record for your instruments and how they’re used.

Where they overlap

Both touch equipment, but from different angles. A LIMS may list instruments as part of a sample workflow. Calira manages the instruments themselves: their availability, booking rules, service history, and utilisation data.

How they work together

Calira integrates with ELNs and LIMS rather than replacing them. Native integrations already exist for Benchling, SciSure, and RSpace. Depending on the integration, syncing can be bidirectional: equipment records and booking details flow between systems so both stay up to date.

If your lab already has a LIMS, Calira fills the gap it doesn’t cover: equipment scheduling and operations. If you don’t have a LIMS, Calira still stands alone as a complete equipment management layer.

Book a demo to see how Calira fits alongside your existing systems, or get an overview of the product.