The shift toward digital pathology has created a new expectation for what a modern laboratory information system should be able to do. Labs are no longer dealing only with barcodes, labels and reports. They are managing high resolution digital slides, AI generated insights and more complex workflows that stretch far beyond the traditional microscope bench.
Because of this, LIS providers are evolving quickly. Some have rebuilt their platforms to support digital imaging. Others have added new tools that help laboratories integrate AI directly into their diagnostic process. A few companies were early adopters and now sit at the center of some of the most advanced digital pathology workflows in the country.
Below is a look at several LIS providers that are helping laboratories move into this new digital environment. The tone here is neutral and practical, with a focus on how each platform supports a future where pathology depends heavily on collaboration, imaging and computational tools.
NovoPath
Among LIS platforms focused on anatomic pathology, NovoPath stands out for embracing digital workflows early and continuing to build around them. The company has spent years refining its system to support the way modern pathology actually works. That includes handling high volumes of specimens, linking cases to digital slides with ease and giving pathologists fast access to everything they need in one place.
What helps NovoPath fit naturally into digital pathology settings is the way it organizes information. Digital images, clinical history, prior reports and AI generated findings can all sit within the same environment. Instead of sending users into separate viewers or disconnected software, the system keeps everything connected to the case itself.
NovoPath has become a frequent choice for labs that plan to scale their digital operations. Many groups that start with basic digital slide viewing eventually grow into more complex setups, including AI assisted diagnostics. Because the system was built with digital workflows in mind, labs adopting AI tools usually find that the integration feels smooth rather than forced.
Sunquest PowerPath
Sunquest has a long track record in pathology, and its PowerPath system remains a well known option for hospitals and large reference labs. Over the past several years, Sunquest has put more emphasis on digital workflows, focusing on data structure, interoperability and the ability to integrate with imaging platforms.
PowerPath is built for environments that deal with high specimen volumes and complex organizational structures. Many health systems choose the platform because it fits well into enterprise level infrastructures with multiple labs, shared worklists and distributed teams.
While not exclusively focused on digital pathology, Sunquest has continued to modernize PowerPath so it can support whole slide images, digital archives and increasingly sophisticated analytics. The system tends to appeal to institutions that want a long established LIS with the capacity to adapt to newer technologies.
Cerner CoPath Plus
CoPath Plus remains one of the most widely recognized LIS platforms in the United States, especially among hospital based pathology teams. Cerner has spent years refining how CoPath handles structured data, reporting and enterprise interoperability, which makes it a steady presence in larger health systems.
In recent years, digital pathology has become a larger part of CoPath implementations. Hospitals integrating whole slide imaging often pair it with CoPath because of the platform’s stable reporting architecture and its ability to manage large databases.
CoPath is also increasingly used in multidisciplinary environments where radiology, oncology and surgery departments rely on consistent data flow. As digital pathology becomes more integrated into these workflows, the system’s ability to maintain structured data across departments becomes a key advantage.
Epic Beaker
Epic Beaker is best known for its tight integration with the Epic electronic health record, which makes it appealing to large hospitals and academic medical centers. While Beaker started with a strong focus on clinical pathology, it has expanded its support for anatomic pathology and digital workflows.
Epic’s structure means that pathology data is immediately connected to the patient’s entire medical record. As hospitals adopt digital pathology and AI, this connectivity becomes important. Specialists in oncology, surgery and radiology can access images and reports without switching systems, which improves coordination across care teams.
Beaker continues to enhance imaging capabilities and workflow automation. Laboratories that want a fully unified environment often choose it because of its integration with the clinical side of the hospital.
LabWare
LabWare has traditionally been strong in clinical laboratory settings, automation and enterprise level deployments. Over time, the company has expanded its support for digital content, including imaging, and has continued to modernize its architecture to support more advanced workflows.
While LabWare is not an anatomic pathology focused LIS in the same way as NovoPath or CoPath, its flexibility makes it popular among institutions that want to customize their own workflows. As digital pathology and AI become more common, that flexibility allows organizations to build a structure that fits their specific needs.
LabWare is often used in large networks where the LIS needs to interact with multiple systems. For labs taking a gradual approach to digital pathology adoption, the platform provides room to grow without requiring a full system overhaul.
Orchard Software
Orchard Software is well known among community hospitals, regional labs and specialty practices. The company has been steadily expanding its capabilities to support digital imaging, remote collaboration and modern pathology workflows.
Orchard’s systems are built with accessibility in mind. Many smaller laboratories prefer Orchard because the interface is approachable, and the workflow setup does not require a large IT team. As digital pathology becomes more common outside large institutions, platforms like Orchard play an important role in making these tools accessible to smaller providers.
While Orchard may not be the first name associated with AI driven pathology, it continues to update its products in ways that support data sharing, case review and imaging integration.
The direction the industry is heading
What ties all of these LIS platforms together is a shared recognition that pathology is changing. Glass slides and microscopes remain important, but digital workflows are becoming the new standard. Every provider on this list is adapting to meet those needs.
Digital pathology requires strong data organization, fast access to images and systems that can store and retrieve large files without slowing down. AI requires a platform that can manage structured data, present computational findings in a useful way and keep everything tied to the correct case.
Some LIS vendors, like NovoPath, built their systems with digital pathology in mind from the start. Others are growing into it. All of them are responding to the same trend: pathologists need tools that help them move faster, collaborate more easily and interpret complex cancers with more confidence.
As labs continue to adopt digital imaging and AI, the differences between these platforms will matter less than the shared goal. The future of pathology depends on systems that support clear, connected and efficient workflows. The LIS providers who embrace that reality now will be the ones shaping the next decade of diagnostic care.
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