Why Researchers Want An Electronic Lab Notebook

Faster workflows and organizing research records are examples of improved productivity that researchers say they are looking for in an electronic laboratory notebook product, according to a recent survey by Rescentris.

Electronic lab notebooks on the market today are full of advanced features, but improved organization and productivity still top the lists of why scientists themselves say they wanted to implement an ELN. According to a 2011 client survey report by Rescentris (1), other major driving factors for implementing ELNs in research environments include regulatory compliance, modernization, and interdisciplinary collaboration. These findings reflect the real reasons scientists are choosing to work with ELNs in the current market. Electronic laboratory notebooks are reported to improve efficiency by 25 and #37; or more (2) over paper notebooks by reducing repetitive tasks, reducing writing time, and minimizing time spent looking up information.

Top Reasons Reported for Implementing an ELN
Grouped by category

1. Productivity
¢Organization and keeping records in order
¢Streamline workflows
¢Manage data in one place
¢Improve SOP functionality
¢Better management oversight
¢Management and task accountability
¢Document time to invention for patents

2. Compliance
¢Built-in witnessing of notebook entries
¢Electronic timestamps
¢Regulatory compliance, including GLP/GMP compatibility and ISO certification
¢Solid documentation of research steps

3. Modernization
¢Get off paper notebooks
¢Incorporate electronic media types
¢Virtual corporations are using remote collaboration

4. Data Retention
¢Employee Turnover
¢Graduating Students
¢Rotating Fellows

5. Security and Privacy of sensitive business data

6. Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Survey takers also reported why they chose the ELN they did over competitors, answers that further reflect real needs in the research and development process. Users cite logical workflows, ease of use, and flexible, universal access as important to their decision-making process.

7. Overall ELN concept
¢Combination of document management and notebooks in one system
¢Ability to hierarchically organize data into Filing Cabinets, Notebook Collections, Notebooks, Sections, Pages
¢Ease of use
¢Forms-based entry capability
¢Did not require Oracle

8. Cross-Platform and Mobility
¢Wanted something more than just web-based [platform]
¢Staff use Mac OS (50 and #37; of responders use Macs or combination of PCs/Macs)
¢iPad tablets are slated to replace PCs in lab settings

9. Sales representative / Support Staff
¢Ability to meet deployment deadline
¢In-person demo
¢Training
¢Understanding of researcher needs

10. Collaboration
¢Works well for multidisciplinary research

11. Customizable

12. Reasonably Priced


Resources:
1. 2011 CERF Post-Sales Survey Report, Rescentris.
2. ”Lab Notebooks Offer Efficiency Gains: ELNs Help Companies Achieve their Goals by Providing Meaningful Workflow Improvements” Gail Dutton. Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News website