Information: Laboratory informatics tools


and data processing. In the early 1980s, first-generation commercial LIMS started to appear, usually based on minicomputers, supporting sample and test management, and reporting of results. A second generation of commercial


LIMS started to appear in the late 1980s, typically taking advantage of relational databases to provide more sophisticated functionality. Te development of client- server based systems represented the next (third) generation of commercial systems, taking advantage of the evolution of the personal computer. Te fourth generation emerged as the internet and wireless connectivity developed, offering opportunities to extend the reach of LIMS beyond the confines of the laboratory. As LIMS products were increasingly adopted by laboratories, three specific


FIG 4 Visibility


Building a Smart Laboratory 2018


The initial evolution of the ELN market was centred on the provision of functionality to support small molecule chemistry


“


additional requirements gradually became apparent. Firstly, there was a need to transfer data from laboratory instruments directly to the LIMS, to avoid transcription errors; secondly, the need to manage the instrument data files from which data stored in the LIMS was derived; and thirdly, the need to handle unstructured data, graphical data, and to collate sample data. Tese requirements led to the development of scientific data management systems (SDMS)


The Gartner Hype Cycles


and electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs). Functionally, the LIMS products have become increasingly sophisticated, to the point that the dividing line between LIMS and other informatics products has become less clear. Te ELN market has grown and


developed rapidly over the past decade, it still exhibits some instability with a large number of vendors (there are more than 30 purveyors of products that purport to be an ELN) competing for market share. As a consequence, the market suffers from some degree of ‘hype’ (see Figure 4). Just where ELNs sit on the Gartner Hype is probably somewhere around


Cycle[1]


the ‘Trough of Disillusionment’, although individual vendors may occupy positions either side of this point. Te ‘Trough of Disillusionment’ can be considered as the turning point past the hype and when the focus is on delivering true benefit. Chemistry-based and generic ELNs are probably already beyond this point, as indeed are the majority of LIMS products. Commercial ELNs have evolved from two


Technology trigger


Peak


of inflated expectations


Trough of disillusionment Maturity


Technology trigger: The first phase of a Hype Cycle is the ‘technology trigger’ or breakthrough, product launch or other event that generates significant interest.


Peak of inflated expectations: In the next phase, a frenzy of publicity typically generates over-enthusiasm and unrealistic expectations. There may be some successful applications of a technology, but there are typically more failures.


Trough of disillusionment: Technologies enter the ‘trough of disillusionment’ because they fail to meet expectations and quickly become unfashionable. Consequently, the press usually abandons the topic and the technology.


Slope of enlightenment: Although the press may have stopped covering the technology, some businesses continue through the ‘slope of enlightenment’ and experiment to understand the benefits and practical application of the technology.


Plateau of productivity: A technology reaches the ‘plateau of productivity’ as its benefits become widely demonstrated and accepted. The technology becomes increasingly stable and evolves in second and third generations. The final height of the plateau varies according to whether the technology is broadly applicable or benefits only a niche market.


20 Slope of enlightenment


Plateau of productivity


approaches: discipline-specific; and generic. Generic soſtware provides the architecture and tools to create and search content, and to work collaboratively in a way that satisfies the needs of almost any science- related industry. Discipline-specific ELNs are aimed at a particular market segment, such as chemistry, biology, or analytical. Tese systems are usually tailored to work with other discipline-specific soſtware tools. Most of the commercial ELNs offer a combination of generic and discipline- specific functionality. Te initial evolution of the ELN market


was centred on the provision of functionality to support small-molecule chemistry. Most of the experimental processes associated with synthetic chemistry are well established, reasonably consistent, and are well supported by desktop soſtware tools. Integrating these functions into an ELN that can create, manage and store a full experimental record was a logical progression. As a consequence, chemistry-based ELNs are well established and exhibit a good deal of maturity. If there is segmentation in this part of the market, it is determined to some extent by the origins and scope of the available products.


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