Transitioning from CoPath to LigoLab: A Seamless Path to LIS System Modernization

Many pathology labs across the country are facing a critical decision: how to move on from Cerner CoPath, a legacy laboratory information system (LIS software) originally built for another era of healthcare IT. As the sun sets on CoPath's active development and support, medical laboratories are looking for a more modern, integrated, and scalable pathology lab management system - one that doesn’t just replace an old lab information system but reimagines and streamlines lab operations from end to end.

LigoLab has emerged as the go-to partner for these transitions. Combining deep medical LIS expertise with an all-in-one informatics solution that unifies its anatomic pathology LIS, clinical laboratory, and laboratory revenue cycle management (lab billing) modules into a single comprehensive platform, LigoLab makes the migration from CoPath feasible and transformational.

"At LigoLab, we do more than replace legacy laboratory information systems - we positively transform lab operations and finances into a streamlined, future-ready engine for growth," said LIS company CEO Suren Avunjian. "We understand the gravity of these migrations, and we’ve built a playbook that ensures our partners survive the transition and thrive because of it."

Industry Insights: The Rise and Fall of CoPath LIS: A Legacy Casualty of the Modern Lab Information System Era

Why Labs Are Leaving CoPath

Cerner CoPath was once a market leader in anatomic pathology LIS systems. However, its limitations have become more pronounced in today’s digital, fast-paced laboratory landscape:

• Outdated, non-intuitive user interface
• Fragmented workflows requiring manual workarounds
• Lack of real-time integration with laboratory billing solutions
• Limited automation and customization
• Difficulty scaling with multi-site or high-volume labs
• Reduced support and innovation since its acquisition

These anatomic pathology software challenges create friction at every stage of the AP process - from accessioning and grossing to diagnosis, reporting, and billing.

Learn More: How Modern LIS Software Helps Pathologists Sign Out Anatomic Pathology Cases Faster

LigoLab as a Modern LIS System Replacement

LigoLab offers a modern LIS pathology and lab billing platform built for today’s AP labs. The pathology software is modular, configurable, and scalable, with unified modules and engines that share a common database and infrastructure. This allows for end-to-end laboratory workflow automation, real-time data access, and streamlined communication across all lab departments.

On-Demand Webinar: Leverage LIS System Rules, Automation, and Data Analytics to Increase Efficiency and Cut Costs

Seamless CoPath‑to‑LigoLab Migration: Your Lab’s Blueprint for a Friction‑Free LIS System Upgrade

Upgrading from CoPath can feel daunting, especially when decades of historical data, hundreds of instrument interfaces, and mission-critical lab workflow are on the line. LigoLab removes that anxiety with a proven, three-track lab information system implementation framework that ensures minimal operational disruption while bringing labs into the cloud-native era.

CoPath Data Migration: Bring Every Result and All Lab Data Home

• Deep CoPath Expertise: LigoLab engineers have completed dozens of CoPath extractions and understand every table, field, and nuance.
• 100 Percent Historical Continuity: Lab data such as orders, results, scanned docs - even frozen comments - are all preserved.
• Validation by Design: Automated reconciliation scripts confirm record counts, accession numbers, and result values for data integrity.

Interfaces: Keep Your Digital Ecosystem Intact, and Expand It

• API-First Architecture: Seamless connections with Epic (on Azure), Athenahealth, ModMed, Elation, DrChrono, and other cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) systems.
• Interface Engine Bridge: Maintain established HL7 connectivity with Rhapsody, Corepoint, Cloverleaf, Iguana, Mirth, and more.
• Instrument Compatibility: From Roche cobas analyzers to Leica grossing cameras, all stay online with ASTM, POCT1‑A, and proprietary protocols mapped by LigoLab’s interface team.

Configuration, Validation & Training

• Configuration Workshops: Parallel workstreams customize accessioning, grossing, histology, molecular, and lab billing rules to your lab’s exact SOPs.
• Regulatory Validation: CAP/CLIA traceability, IQ/OQ/PQ scripts, and e‑sign audit trails baked in.
• Role-Based Training: A mix of e-learning, sandbox practice, and workflow‑based labs ensures techs, pathologists, and admins are confident before going live.

"We've engineered a zero-downtime path from CoPath to LigoLab," said Avunjian. "Labs get continuity, compliance, and confidence from day one, plus better performance and usability than they’ve ever experienced."

Hyper-Care Support: Confidence After Go-Live

LigoLab’s Hyper-Care medical LIS model for service provides real-time monitoring of case volumes, interface queues, and turnaround time immediately after system launch. Daily check-ins and 24/7 engineer access allow lab staff to focus on patient care while LigoLab fine-tunes the LIS system’s performance.

Industry Insights: Choosing a Vendor - Guidance for Your LIS System Upgrade

Real-World Success: PLA Tulsa

Pathology Laboratory Associates (Tulsa, OK), the first Cerner customer, began using CoPath in the early 1980s and recently selected LigoLab as a partner to modernize its LIS system solution. 

Despite over 40 years of CoPath usage, the independent, physician-owned pathology group realized it was time for change. Thus, it began a rigorous market search to modernize its pathology lab reporting software. Criteria included cloud scalability, real‑time analytics, and end‑to‑end integration with its LIS system and lab billing workflow.

PLA successfully transitioned thanks to LigoLab’s meticulous implementation process and white-glove support.

Here’s Why PLA Chose LigoLab:

1. Zero-Downtime Migration preserved four decades of historical results.
2. Interface Parity on Day One ensured 120-plus connections (analyzers, EHRs, outreach links) cut over in parallel.
3. Unified Medical LIS & Lab RCM functionality eliminated middleware and manual handoffs.
4. Hyper‑Care & Continuous Improvement model that guaranteed return on investment (ROI) within the first 60 days of post‑go‑live.

Fast-forward to today, and results include a 17 percent reduction in average turnaround time and a 28 percent decrease in clicks per histology case - major wins for operational efficiency and user satisfaction.

"PLA’s story proves that labs don’t have to live with legacy LIS system limitations," continued Avunjian. "With the right pathology lab software partner, even the most entrenched lab environments can be modernized quickly, cleanly, and profitably."

White Paper: Comparing the LigoLab Informatics Platform with Legacy Laboratory Information System Software

Why Labs Choose LigoLab for CoPath Migration

Laboratories transitioning from legacy CoPath systems trust LigoLab for a smooth and reliable migration process to modern LIS software solutions. Here’s why:

• LigoLab’s parallel implementation approach ensures zero downtime and minimal workflow disruption. 
• Its proven CoPath extraction tools guarantee complete data transfer with no loss, preserving historical continuity. 
• Dedicated interface engineers help labs maintain and expand their digital integrations, while built-in regulatory validation ensures audit-ready compliance from day one. 
• With Hyper-Care support following go-live, labs gain peace of mind and confidence in their new system. 
• Real-world success stories - like those from PLA - further demonstrate that LigoLab's migration strategy is effective and dependable.

Industry Insights: Bridging the Gap in Modern Laboratories: Why a Comprehensive Digital Platform Outperforms a Traditional Lab Information System

Upgrade with Confidence: Why LigoLab is the Smart Migration Path Beyond CoPath

Whether you’re driven by cloud scalability, LIS system automation, or to eliminate CoPath’s end‑of‑life risks coming in 2026, LigoLab delivers a turnkey migration path that keeps your lab productive and compliant. Schedule a discovery call today to learn how the enterprise LIS company can tailor a CoPath‑to‑LigoLab transition plan for your unique environment. With dozens of successful transitions and growing demand, the time to plan is now.

"Labs shouldn’t have to fear change. They should demand more from their LIS systems," said Avunjian, who also mentioned that LigoLab’s implementation team is already booking engagements into the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first months of 2026. "Time and again, we’ve shown that LigoLab isn’t just a replacement for CoPath - it’s a pathology lab upgrade in every sense."