Lab digitalisation: why strategise before exploring?

Lab digitalisation: why strategise before exploring?

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Yaasir Suleiman
Pharmaceuticals at Seal
3 minute read

Lab digitalisation is here to stay. But the increasing uptake of ELN and LIMS templates isn't just a response to the demand for standardised workflows and ensuring regulatory compliance; it's how companies use automation to scale and stay innovative.

Traditional strategies (e.g. paper, spreadsheets, inflexible platforms) no longer cut it. Record systems need to be proactive, not reactive, to keep up with the complexity and volume of new data. Most importantly, teams need a clear, actionable vision to make the inevitable switch. Aligning platform needs with strategic goals beyond implementation is an excellent starting point.

The Process or Data Flow of an ELN

So, how can you strike a balance?

Envision the architecture

Adequate planning and support are essential prerequisites for adopting any new digital systems. ELN and LIMS templates aim to transform processes, rather than downsizing existing issues. Plan with the knowledge that they are integral to company vision and operations, serving as more than an isolated solution for a single team.

Quantify current hurdles

Test current practices rigorously.

Which outputs are currently causing what issues for the team? How does it affect research practices, result predictability and how quickly your company can deliver?

Data traceability and “folder hopping” are common issues across the industry. But how does this specifically affect your company's growth and success? Taking a holistic approach, beyond data input and tracking, is a great way to observe how a new digital system needs to integrate into the whole.    

Identify the motivating factors and requirements

Get to the root. 

ELN and LIMS templates are not software replacements, but a day-to-day accelerator for the company. What exactly does your team intend to transform? Who would benefit from the change the most? How can you ensure new templates meet changes in regulatory and performance needs each quarter? 

Answers to questions like these often change, so a real-time, scalable solution may be more advantageous to short term quality-of-life improvements. 

Also, think how this could affect data circulation across the company. ELN and LIMS templates foster collaboration across teams (e.g. researchers, technicians, supervisors). So what goals and policies would your company want in place to ensure harmony across the board?

Build for prosperity:

Related to data circulation, it's vital any new templates integrate well with current systems. Not only would this enhance data accuracy and decision-making power, but this would amplify the efficiency gains that come with an ELN or LIMS. Vendors that can deliver this, especially across quality and manufacturing as well, may be better equipped in the long-term.

At the same time, companies often favour ELN and LIMS vendors that provide comprehensive training and skill development. 

Traditional Lab versus Modern Lab (ELN/ LIMS)

Where does this matter?

Reap immediate benefits

From the get-go, switching to an ELN or LIMS system helps teams execute faster and with more accuracy. Actions that previously were a hassle (data traceability, file searches, reorganisation) execute significantly faster. 

Think about how any new templates can interconnect research data. How does your company plan to access historical data? How will this new system differentiate data that requires further analysis from completed projects? In what way will current protocols be accessed and shared to new joiners? Transitioning from paper and spreadsheets enables companies to revolutionise systems from the top-down. 

Secure long term gains

An ELN or LIMS life cycle typically lasts many years (often 5+). So it's vital that these templates are an ongoing success.

Whether it's an ELN or LIMS, new templates must go beyond a sleek user interface, file storage and centralised data.  

How can you prepare your company for any challenges down the road? Adopting a solution with a clear, thorough escalation process is a good measure that helps. When end-users have confidence with the system, teams can fully harness its power. 

It's important that with whatever vendor chosen, your team feels incentivised to learn about further improvements and how the platform is utilised even more efficiently for all users. Having a dedicated support team that trains and retrains your team is a clear benefit here. ELNs and LIMSs are not one-time gains, but an evolving process of improvement.

Tying the knot

Aligning platform needs with objective goals is a crucial step to discovering ELN and LIMS templates that are a true investment and not just a fix. Laboratory software is no silver bullet. Seal is engineered around this:

  • Templates that are engineered to meet specific company requirements and use-cases.
  • Real-time, proactive customer support that is tailored to each individual.
  • A software provider that fosters a culture of collaboration for companies, both internally (between users) and externally.

Where Seal comes in?

seal enables teams across highly-regulated industries to create a single system-of-record that integrates with the entire company. Whilst covering ELN and LIMS use-cases, the Platform consolidates data and documentation across the board. AI-driven operations and automated regulatory workflows built to transform business from the ground-up.  

Here are a few companies that have already taken the leap forward:

For a detailed conversation to learn more, don't hesitate to get in touch here!