The document outlines six key considerations for digitalizing a laboratory, including the importance of structured processes, phased implementation of digital systems, and addressing legal implications. It highlights the potential benefits of digitalization, such as increased efficiency and innovation, while acknowledging challenges like employee resistance and data integrity concerns. It concludes by advising consultation with digitalization experts to mitigate risks in the transition process.

1. 6 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN
DIGITALIZING
A LABORATORY
digitalization@biosistemika.com

2. Digital technologies
automate complex tasks
Scientists observe nature
Scientists start to experiment
Scientists work with their hands
1800 1900 2000 2019
THE HISTORY OF LABORATORY

3. 1A DIGITALIZED LABORATORY IS COMPLEX
Beyond automation
Digital data management
Integration of data
Automation
Lab digitalization includes
software and hardware
tools to automate lab
processes.
It is a complex 4-layer
process:
• Digital data management
• Integration of data (data
flows)
• Automation
• Beyond automation (AI,
data analysis)

4. 1
1. Digitalize in multiple steps.
2. Implement digital data management systems first.
3. Continue with other layers after.
What should I do?
A DIGITALIZED LABORATORY IS COMPLEX

5. Digitalization requires that
processes and data have
structure.
Research laboratories are
unstructured - many techniques,
different protocols
2 DIFFICULT TO DIGITALIZE UNSTRUCTURED PROCESSES

6. 2
1. Find processes that are already structured.
2. Start digitalizing these processes.
3. Use research-lab-friendly tools, such as Electronic Lab Notebooks.
4. Automate structured and repetitive processes to minimize the amount of
manual processes.
What should I do?
DIFFICULT TO DIGITALIZE UNSTRUCTURED PROCESSES

7. Digitalization is an investment that may not
directly increase revenue or decrease costs.
The value of digitalization is rather seen as:
• Faster turnaround times
• More innovative products
• More efficient work processes
• Reduced error rates
3 DIFFICULT TO SHOW VALUE OF DIGITALIZATION
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8. 3
1. Communicate the benefits of digitalization, such as faster turnaround times
and reduced error rates.
2. Explain the necessity of investments into digitalization to the stakeholders.
3. Develop a vision on why digitalization is an advantage for your laboratory.
What should I do?
DIFFICULT TO SHOW VALUE OF DIGITALIZATION

9. Research activities often result in
patent filings. Inventors need to prove
that they were the first to invent.
Some users are reluctant to use
electronic records because they might
not be accepted in the court.
4 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS & INTELECTUAL PROPERTY
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10. 4
1. Electronic and paper records are equally relevant in court.
2. Electronic lab notebooks should be safe, backed-up, multi-user and provide
audit trail capabilities.
3. Software solutions should be compliant with regulations (e.g. CFR 21 Part 11)
4. Consult with a legal advisor when implementing electronic solutions.
What should I do?
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS & INTELECTUAL PROPERTY

11. New technologies cause resistance
from the employees.
Fears related to digitalization:
• They’ll lose jobs
• They are unskilled
• They are under surveillance
The reality:
• Technology creates even more jobs
• Training helps employees gain new
skills
5 POOR USER ADOPTION
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12. 5
1. Organize user groups and include your employees into the planning phase.
2. Clearly communicate the benefits of digitalization and how it will affect
them.
3. Listen to your employees’ feedback and hear them out.
4. Engage the early adopters, who will be an example to others.
What should I do?
POOR USER ADOPTION

13. 6 DATA INTEGRITY
Electronic systems are prone to:
• Unauthorized access
• Data tampering
• Hacking
Most commercial systems provide good and safe
solutions to secure the system against such
threats.
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14. 6
1. Talk to vendors about the security and data integrity features of the solutions
you’re implementing.
2. Ask your IT service to audit the solutions and provide additional safety
measures.
3. The data storage system should include an audit trail function that tracks all
changes made to the data.
What should I do?
DATA INTEGRITY

15. • By considering the above 6 points you will reduce the risks associated with the
digitalization process.
• Lab devices are already connected to the internet – make sure they are safe.
• Future laboratories will be fully controlled over the internet and scientists will
focus on the experiment planning and interpretation instead. Examples are
Emerald Cloud Lab and Transcriptic.
• Consult with lab digitalization experts – you will reduce the risks associated
with digitalization while saving time and money.
CONCLUSION

16. Lab digitalization experts
digitalization@biosistemika.com