following deployment are signifi cant. The that question is made more diffi cult by the of this change is that the software runs on the
costs associated with managing bound inherent ambiguity in the term ‘Electronic web rather than on the desktop. This changes
paper laboratory notebooks through their Laboratory Notebook’. In most cases the the nature of the web from a collection of
full lifecycle are not always fully visible or implementation of an ELN is expected destination sites, to a set of sources, both
understood. Apart from the material costs, to do more than just replace the paper of data and of functionality that can be
and the costs of the archive process, there lab notebook. The paper lab notebook is integrated to meet functional requirements.
are hidden costs associated with manual data a simple authoring tool (pen and paper), Collaboration therefore becomes a relatively
entry and transcription, physically cutting and and any electronic authoring tool capable natural outcome for people using these web
pasting graphical results, and the diffi culty in of generating a compound document will applications as they work with them, by
ELN ovErviEw
fi nding and accessing information in paper- serve as a replacement. But once we think sharing data and contributing and their own
based systems. In addition, the paper-based of an all-electronic laboratory, then the opinions and interpretations.
witnessing process is generally perceived as ability to integrate other systems to the ELN It would be foolish to assume a similar
a time-consuming and ineffi cient process. adds increasing degrees of complexity. It is solution could be easily developed and
Although the start-up costs are high for an becoming increasingly apparent that there deployed to solve data and information
electronic solution, the incremental cost of are no distinct boundaries between most management problems. Confi dence in
adding new users and increasing storage space laboratory information systems, and there is addressing compliance, security and IP issues
is modest, and the overall value proposition, overlap between the ELN, LIMS, SDM and will present a signifi cant challenge, but the
can provide a quick return on investment. LES, and this overlap can lead to a good deal principles of Web 2.0 and social networking
of confusion among potential purchasers. are worthy of examination as a model for the
Other business concerns So, should we continue to think in terms of laboratory where collaboration and knowledge
Changing business models and cultural issues disparate laboratory software applications, or sharing has a high priority.
still present challenges to ELN deployments. envisage a collection of software modules that
The growing extent of multi-site collaboration are designed to work together, using standard Summary
and outsourcing, particularly within the data formats, that can be readily assembled For most laboratories, the ELN represents
pharmaceutical industry, presents a number and re-assembled to support specifi c laboratory the elimination of the last bastion of paper
of challenges regarding security, IP ownership functions, processes and workfl ows? in the laboratory record-keeping process,
and accessibility. Where the ELN acts as If we step outside the laboratory for and as such opens up the doorway to a new,
a critical collaboration tool in this type of a moment and look at some of the fully integrated electronic world of laboratory
environment, a sophisticated security and developments in other domains, one of the information management. But, to say that we
access control model is paramount. But this most striking advances is occurring in the are at a tipping point in the move towards an
demand also extends to functionality, putting framework of collaboration and the role of all-electronic laboratory may be overstating the
pressure on ELN deployments to provide Web 2.0. The use of social networking tools situation. It creates the opportunity to move on
the appropriate functional capability across has illustrated how technology can enhance from a set of interconnected applications with
multiple sites, plus support and maintenance. collaboration once some rudimentary data incompatible technologies to an integrated
laboratory information ecology that brings
‘THE FACTORS THAT IMPACT UPON THE
together technology, scientifi c skills and
AUTHENTICITY OF ELECTRONIC RECORDS
expertise with the purpose of delivering high
quality science. Translating this vision into a
MAY BE DIFFERENT TO PAPER’
practical solution is, however, no mean feat.
Cultural issues, such as user adoption, standards are in place. The relative ease of Technology in itself is not the barrier; it is our
are still major concerns for deployment incorporating text, audio, images and video legacy of application-centric approaches, the
projects. Although it is well accepted that into a compound document (web page) with lack of good data standards, and the constraints
ELNs can provide measureable benefi ts in links to other documents and references to of business, legal and regulatory compliance
terms of productivity and effi ciency for the similar documents, is in principle, akin to the that delay our move to a new paradigm. The
organisation, laboratory workers still need to role of the ELN. Also, this approach does not reality is that we are more likely to undertake
see specifi c and personal ease-of-use benefi ts require anything much more than an internet a steady progression from where we are today,
in order to become engaged and enthusiastic browser to gain access to the document, by means of incremental improvements in
users. These issues feature high on the priority which means (a) that the document is easily our individual laboratory information systems,
list for ELN project teams and there are good available from anywhere with internet access taking advantage of improved technologies,
indications that best practices are emerging and (b) is it device-independent; i.e. any but still wrestling to some extent with
that address user engagement and technology device that can run a browser should, within integration issues.
adoption through the project lifecycle. reason, be able to access, display and provide
editing capability to the document.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The future of ELNs and laboratory Web 2.0 is the generic term used to identify
information management
John Trigg is an independent informatics
the evolving change in the role of the internet
consultant specialising in ELNs.
So after a decade of evolution, what does the as the emphasis switches from presentation to
Email: john.trigg@phasefour-informatics.com
future hold for ELNs? Perhaps the answer to collaboration. One of the main consequences
27
LIG09 pp26-27 ELN Overview.indd 27 9/12/08 17:12:47
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