Laboratory Inventory Management Engine (LIME) - A free tool for managing laboratory inventories via barcode scanning and automatic cloud-based spreadsheet integration

Sep 11, 2026

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Efficient inventory management is a recurring challenge in research laboratories, where productivity and budget control depend on accurate tracking of consumables, reagents, and equipment. Many labs continue to use handwritten logs or static spreadsheets that are error-prone, leading to stockouts, over-ordering, and unreliable forecasting, while existing systems can be costly or hard to adopt. Laboratory Inventory Management Engine (LIME) is presented to bridge these gaps using mobile barcode/QR scanning with real-time updates and automatic cloud spreadsheet integration.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryGeneral

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Structural features

Materials and methods

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OPEN ACCESS Citation: Salinas TM, Tornes L, Solís C (2026) Laboratory Inventory Management Engine (LIME): A free tool for managing laboratory inventories via barcode scanning and automatic cloud-based spreadsheet integration. PLoSOne 21(5): e0336412. [https://doi.org/10.1371/](https://doi.org/10.1371/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.1371/)[journal.pone.0336412](journal.pone.0336412) Editor: Micah Altman, MIT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Received: April 24, 2025 Accepted: October 25, 2025 Published: May 22, 2026 Copyright: © 2026 Salinas et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Data availability statement: All the LIME files are available from the GitHub database (accession URL, [https://github.com/chsolis/](https://github.com/chsolis/)[ ](https://github.com/chsolis/)[lime_lab_inventory_management_engine](lime_lab_inventory_management_engine)) . Funding: Startup funds, Florida State University. The funders had no role in study design, data RESEARCH ARTICLE Laboratory Inventory Management Engine (LIME): A free tool for managing laboratory inventories via barcode scanning and automatic cloud-based spreadsheet integration Tiffany M. Salinas, Leo Tornes, Christopher Solís* Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America * [csolis@fsu.edu](csolis@fsu.edu) Abstract Efficient inventory management remains a persistent challenge in research settings, where productivity and budget control are tightly linked to accurate tracking of consumables, reagents, and equipment for decision-making and successful research project execution. Many laboratories still rely on traditional methods, including handwritten logs or static spreadsheets, which are prone to human error and can result in stockouts, over-ordering, and inaccurate forecasting. Moreover, existing inventory systems often fall short in balancing affordability, convenience, and functionality. Here, the Laboratory Inventory Management Engine (LIME) is introduced as a system designed to bridge these deficiencies by leveraging accessible tools like in-thecloud spreadsheet files and mobile devices. LIME uses a smartphone app to enable real time updates to the inventory log by scanning consumables QR codes and barcodes. The system allows inputting new items to be classified in predetermined catalog lists (e.g. , 4º fridge, chemicals, antibodies, etc.) . This dual smartphone and spreadsheet inventory prototype is anticipated to improve the operational efficiency of small academic research laboratories and early-stage startups to benefit their bottom lines. Introduction Maintaining a laboratory inventory is an important but often underestimated task in research—yet it plays a critical role in the efficiency of labor. Inaccuracies in inventory tracking can lead to mistrials, delays, financial loss, and compromised data integrity [ 1] . Developing a reliable and efficient inventory system is essential for ensuring smooth experimental operations and maintaining optimal research quality. PLOS One | [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0336412](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0336412) May 22, 2026 1 / 7 collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Many laboratories track inventory in one of three ways, either through Excel® spreadsheets and Google Sheets® , sheets of paper, or via paid subscriptions to laboratory information management systems (LIMS) [2] . Systems brought forward through the use of LIMS, have paved way for advanced functionalities for tracking samples, managing data, and streamlining workflows. However, despite their growing popularity, these laboratory ma

FAQs

What problem does LIME target in laboratory operations?

LIME targets persistent difficulties in keeping accurate inventory of consumables, reagents, and equipment, which traditional logs and static spreadsheets often handle poorly.

How does LIME collect inventory data?

LIME uses a smartphone app to scan consumables QR codes and barcodes, enabling real-time updates to the inventory log.

What tools and workflow does LIME integrate with?

LIME is designed to integrate with in-the-cloud Excel or Google Sheets spreadsheets, where a designated sheet (e.g., “Log”) stores and organizes the inventory checks and records.

Sep 11, 2026

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