Table 1. Comparison of specifications of three different types of eLNs.
Note that ease of use and the availability as well as power of features of eLNs are inversely related.
| Basic systems, such as repurposed
word processors (e.g. Word) or note taking systems (e.g. Evernote) |
Dedicated, commercial eLNs (e.g.
iLabber, Labfolder, eCat) |
High end systems (eLNs including a
LIMS, e.g. IBDS E-WORKBOOK, iLAB Laboratory Execution System) |
|---|---|---|
| Ability to enter text as in conventional
handwritten LN |
All features from the basic systems plus
(see below) |
All features from the dedicated,
commercial systems plus (see below) |
| Notes can be made available on
multiple devices (stored in the cloud) |
Freehand drawing | Inventory management:
complete tracking of samples/reagents through all experiments |
| Attach files to notes | Complex rights management (with roles
and individual rights) |
Workflows for certain samples, tasks,
experiments |
| Visualization of attachments in the note | 21CFR 11 compliance:
All previous versions of a note are stored/ changes are logged (full audit trail) Prevents deletion of notes by their author Electronic signatures for completed notes Witnessing and freezing (makes note immutable after the author and a witness have signed it) |
Direct link to laboratory equipment
(e.g. microscopes, spectrometers, sequencers): Automatic delivery of raw data by device Delivery of metadata (e.g. date of last calibration) from device |
| Annotation of attachments (e.g. images) * | Extensions/API for customization
available |
Analysis of raw data within the system |
| Search within the written text | Assigning of tasks between colleagues * | Data mining (aggregate and cluster
structured data) |
| Search in attachments * | Inventory management:
Only amount and location of samples/ reagents |
|
| Notes can be shared with colleagues/
collaborators * |
Abbreviations: API, Application programming interface; 21 CFR 11, code of federal regulations title 21 part 11; LIMS, Laboratory Information Management System. *Indicates that this feature is available in some systems of this category only.