Laboratories use a variety of software products to organize and manage their data, methods and workflows. LIMS are the most prominent and powerful platform of this type, allowing users to obtain, store and report lab data. ELNs provide users with a more error proof and convenient method of experimental record-keeping than physical notebooks. Finally, Scientific Data Management Systems (SDMS) focus on consolidating and storing structured and unstructured data directly from instrument systems. These three different tools can be used both separately and in concert by labs, as the results of a recent survey show in the accompanying figure.

This information was extracted from Strategic Directions International’s new market research report, “Laboratory Informatics 2016: A Survey of LIMS, ELN/LES and SDMS End-Users,” which presents the results of a survey of 596 users. To learn more, please contact Mike Tice, vice president of Consulting Services, at [email protected].