Electronic Lab Notebook Example: A Successful ELN Implementation
Charles River Laboratories successfully implemented a modern electronic laboratory notebook (Dotmatics ELN) across 500 early discovery researchers by following a five-step migration plan—including proof-of-concept, project scoping, and stakeholder buy-in—that addressed complex data integration, compliance, and user adoption challenges, resulting in widespread enthusiasm and adoption beyond the initial groups.
Lab record keeping is an essential task that not only helps capture experiments and protect IP, but also positions R&D teams to build off their collective research data and collaboratively innovate. For many R&D teams, such as those at global contract research organization (CRO) Charles River Laboratories, lab record keeping has become increasingly challenging due to factors like complex experimental processes, large volumes and variety of data from different software apps and lab instruments, and team members working across different research groups and partner sites with unique workflows and specialty tools.
To address these challenges, many companies are adopting electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) to replace manual data-collection processes, or upgrading to a modern ELN solution that aligns with their complex needs. Adopting a new ELN often involves months of work to secure a budget, source the right solution, and get buy-in from key stakeholders. However, this investment can be wasted if end users resist adoption because they do not see the value in making a switch.
Five Key Steps to a Successful Electronic Laboratory Implementation
Charles River Laboratories avoided resistance to change by following a step-by-step ELN rollout plan. This migration plan helped the company successfully migrate 500 of its early discovery researchers in the UK and the Netherlands from an existing ELN to Dotmatics ELN for biology, chemistry, and DMPK. The switch was so successful that other research groups, not part of the initial migration, were eager to switch as well.
Charles River Laboratories’ Director of Business Technology Partnership, Riannon Hambleton, attributes the migration’s success to five key steps:
- 1.ELN Proof-of-Concept: The team explored whether Dotmatics ELN could support their unique compliance, security, and system integration needs, beyond just day-to-day workflows.
- 2.ELN Project Scoping: Early expectation management was crucial. The team defined not only what would be included in the phase 1 rollout, but also what would not be included.
- 3.ELN Configuration: A preliminary test environment allowed the team to preview the configured solution. They assessed whether it supported existing workflows, made users’ jobs easier, and identified possible tweaks or efficiency widgets to improve user experience.
- 4.ELN Testing: The configured solution was run through day-to-day workflows and stress-tested against special scenarios.
- 5.ELN Rollout and ELN Training: A gradual rollout of a few protocols at a time to select users eased the transition, allowed time for training and feedback, and minimized IT support calls. A team of superusers was established to help others make the switch.
Charles River Laboratories Implementation of Dotmatics
The migration to Dotmatics ELN at Charles River Laboratories was a significant success. The team noted benefits such as flexibility, time-savings, easier collaboration, better project visibility, and improved compliance.
Hambleton commented, “I have to say it was very rare to see such a positive experience all round when rolling out a new technology…We’re really looking forward to working with Dotmatics again to help further our move toward the lab of the future. Their solutions not only help optimize our in-house processes, but they also help us better serve our clients, which we know ultimately benefits patients.”
About the Dotmatics ELN
Dotmatics ELN simplifies the capture of complex lab workflows and experimental data. As part of a large R&D platform, it can optimize end-to-end R&D processes by integrating specialty biology and chemistry tools and instruments, lab systems for managing work requests, inventory, assay data, and entity registration, as well as data management, visualization, and analysis tools for data-driven research decisions.
Related
Modern Electronic Laboratory Notebooks
Modern electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) are software tools that enhance traditional physical lab notebooks by providing secure, centralized, and accessible platforms for data entry, protocol management, collaboration, and specialized laboratory functions, thereby improving data management, auditing, and resource tracking in research environments.
Why OneNote Falls Short as a Scientific Lab Notebook — and What to Use Instead
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ELN Video Series
The ELN Video Series is a comprehensive 4-part tutorial showcasing the Dotmatics Electronic Lab Notebook's capabilities to enhance collaborative research, streamline lab digitization, and boost productivity by guiding users through experiment dashboards, experiment creation, document management, and powerful search functionalities to efficiently capture, organize, and retrieve diverse scientific data.
Transitioning to a Modern ELN
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