Laboratory data management involves the storage and organization of scientific data. Due to the substantial volume of data collected and analyzed by laboratories, effective lab data management has never been so important. Inadequate data management can result in data solutions such as LIMS systems and ELNs becoming siloed which can result in data inefficiencies.

This guide provides a comprehensive insight into lab data management. We’ll run through exactly what is meant by lab data management, discuss why it is important, and outline some pieces of software that can support you to achieve effective laboratory data management.

What is lab data management?

Lab data management is the methodical handling and organization of data that has been generated within a laboratory environment. This process encompasses data collection, storage, analysis and sharing. 

Within a laboratory setting, there are many different sources of data and without proper laboratory data management, these data sources can be siloed. Having siloed systems can create a range of challenges such as data inefficiencies in accessing existing data, limited cross referencing abilities across data sources, and fragmented insights by not being able to effectively combine data sources.

Why is effective lab data management important?

Effective lab data management is essential to the operation of any laboratory because it ensures that the data collection is accurate, reliable and accessible. 

Through the implementation of a centralized data management system, data becomes more readily accessible, allowing researchers to quickly retrieve, analyze and compare data. The integration of data from various sources also enables researchers to gain a more holistic and comprehensive view of their research, allowing them to get the most out of their data. Moreover, as AI technology advances, researchers can feed their data into AI tools to reduce the time spent conducting routine tasks or analyzing the data. Effective laboratory data management not only enhances efficiency, but it can also act as a catalyst for innovation and scientific development. 

Gain better control of your laboratory data

While lab data collection and management has shifted from paper-based methods to digital systems such as ELN and LIMS, the practice of lab data management remains largely siloed. This is largely due to laboratories having multiple data management systems that are unintegrated, like separate LIMS and ELNs. As a result of this, scientific information is held across various systems, which can lead to challenges when it comes to retrieving and making use of the data. The presence of siloed systems can create further issues in the cross examination of data. 

For improved laboratory data management, a modern scientific approach which integrates your current data systems is crucial. Sapio Jarvis is a solution that allows you to connect and collect all of your data from systems such as LIMS and ELN into one single place. Sapio Jarvis not only centralizes data, but it also automates data parsing, processing and the sending of data to experiments and workflows by using natural language rules. By integrating existing data sources, Sapio Jarvis enhances lab data management and provides additional contextualization to your research.

What system is best for managing lab data?

To cater to the needs of modern scientific research, a scientific data management system (SDMS) can be used to store and organize documentation and data which has been collected from a range of laboratory instruments. A SDMS can capture, catalog and archive data for future reference. However, while a SDMS can bring together a wide range of data types, it is still largely a unidirectional approach where it becomes difficult to access and add data simultaneously. Moreover, despite its abilities to collect and store a wide range of data, an SDMS remains a siloed source of lab data management.

In contrast, Sapio Jarvis is a data integration tool which is made for modern science. Sapio Jarvis unifies data from a range of sources to create a fully contextualized solution. This feature allows researchers to access and analyze data without having to exist theri core workflow. Sapio Jarvis not only enhances the efficiency of lab data management, but scientists also have improved accessibility to a lab’s data. This improved data accessibility, allows scientists to have access to more usable information that can be readily used to form more meaningful conclusions and insights.

How to get the most of your lab data with Sapio Jarvis

Put simply, lab data management is the organized storing, analysis and sharing of data which has been generated in a laboratory. The practice of effective laboratory data management ensures that the data collection is accurate, reliable and accessible which can not only enhance your lab’s productivity but it creates a more contextualized data analysis.

Sapio Jarvis is a no code, data integration solution created to empower laboratories through seamless integration, collaboration and data management. Sapio Jarvis seamlessly integrates data from your existing data sources (LIMS and ELN), providing you with a comprehensive insight to your data.

To find out more about Sapio Jarvis, or any of our solutions, get in touch or request a demo today.