Why Researchers Want an Electronic Lab Notebook

Faster workflows and organizing research notes are examples of increased productivity that researchers say look for in electronic laboratory notebook products, according to a recent survey by Rescentris.

The electronic lab notebooks on the market today are full of sophisticated features, but increased organization and productivity are still at the top of why scientists themselves say they want to implement ELN. According to the 2011 client survey report (1) by Rescentris, other key drivers for implementing ELN in the research environment include compliance with regulations, modernization, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This finding reflects the real reason scientists chose to work with ELN on the market today. Electronic laboratory notebooks are reported to increase efficiency by up to 25% or more (2) compared to paper notebooks by reducing repetitive tasks, reducing writing time, and minimizing the time spent searching for information.

Main Reasons Reported to Implement ELN

Grouped by category

1. Productivity

• Organize and save notes in sequence

• Streamline workflows

• Manage data in one place

• Improve SOP functionality

• Better management oversight

• Management and task accountability

• Document the time for patent discovery

2. Compliance

• Built-in testimony from notebook entries

• Electronic time stamp

• Compliance with regulations, including GLP / GMP compatibility and ISO nissui indonesia certification

• Solid documentation of research steps

3. Modernization

• Remove the paper notebook

• Entering electronic media types

• Virtual companies use remote collaboration

4. Data Storage

• Employee Substitution

• Student Graduated

• Rotating Fellows

5. Security & privacy of sensitive business data

6. Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Survey takers also report why they chose the ELN they did over the competition, answers that better reflect the real needs in the research and development process. Users cite logical workflows, ease of use, and universal access that are important to their decision making process.

7. Overall ELN concept

• A combination of document and notebook management in one system

• Ability to organize data hierarchically into Filing Cabinets, Notebook Collections, Notebooks, Sections, Pages

• Ease of use

• Form-based entry capabilities

• Does not require Oracle

8. Cross-Platform & Mobility

• Want something more than just a web-based [platform]

• Use of Mac OS staff (50% of respondents use Mac or PC / Mac combination)

• The iPad tablet is scheduled to replace the PC in the lab settings

9. Sales representative / Support Staff

• Ability to meet placement deadlines

• Demo face to face

• Training

• Understand the needs of researchers

10. Collaboration

• Works well for multidisciplinary research

11. Customized

12. Affordable Prices

Source:

1. CERF Post-Sales Survey Report 2011, Rescentris.

2. "Lab Notebooks Offer Efficiency Benefits: ELNs Help Companies Achieve Their Goals by Providing Improved Workflows That Mean" Gail Dutton. News website on Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology