Electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) reduce or completely eliminate transcription responsibilities, lessen the risk of data misplacement or loss, and facilitate information share and reproducibility. At their most basic, ELNs are digitized versions of paper notebooks used to collect and organize laboratory data; at their most comprehensive, they are digital systems that allow researchers and scientists to record, collaborate on, audit, and standardize laboratory work and research. With ELNs, researchers and scientists can reduce compliance risk and improve data quality, while simultaneously increasing productivity and enhancing interfacing with crucial lab equipment.
ELNs are not generally sold as one-size-fits-all solutions. However, the effective ability for ELNs to automate, streamline, and simplify lab work does require the provision of flexible workflows and processes. Common end users of ELNs include CROs and research universities, pharmaceutical and drug-developing companies, and food and beverage testing labs.
To qualify for inclusion in the ELN category, a product must:
- Digitize and store lab data
- Facilitate the uploading, searching, and retrieval of stored data
- Set up and maintain security measures to protect stored data
- Support the secure, restricted distribution of and access to stored data
- Automate lab workflows and processes
