Issues

This chapter will consider the different classes of instruments and computerised instrument systems to be found in laboratories and the role they play in computerised experiments and sample processing – and the steady progress towards all-electronic laboratories.

This chapter takes the theme of knowledge management beyond document handling into the analysis and mining of data. Technology by itself is not enough – laboratory staff need to understand the output from the data analysis tools – and so data analytics must be considered holistically, starting with the design of the experiment

This chapter will look at the four major laboratory informatics tools – laboratory information management systems (LIMS), electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs), laboratory execution systems (LES) and scientific data management systems (SDMS) – their differences and how they relate to each other. Each of these systems functions at or around the ‘Information’ layer (see Figure 1) and typically serves to collate data and information about the laboratory’s operations

This chapter looks at how to build a smart laboratory; what approaches to take; and how to deal with potential problems. Inevitably, becoming ‘smart’ takes time, not only due to the level of investment required, but also because of the impact of change and the need to consider legacy requirements.

In this guide we have attempted to coalesce much of the information required in order to design and implement as smart laboratory or, at the very least, to begin the process of laboratory automation. While it may seem like a challenging prospect, the underlying principles are simple and focused on crafting a strategy that will enable more productivity and insight to be generated from scientific research