Most conversations you hear about digitization tend to revolve around its implications in business. Some of its earliest adopters, rather unsurprisingly, were the sciences. Though it doesn’t receive as much media attention, lab digitization is one of the most exciting applications of the digital revolution.
Any research is only as effective as the tools you have to conduct it. That’s why scientists are always at the cutting edge of technology ” to make sure they’re as accurate as possible. Lab digitization is just one example of scientists adopting technological trends you can also see in business.
What Is Lab Digitization?
Lab digitization is the application of Industry 4.0 to the sciences. You’ve likely moved away from paper-based, analog processes in your line of work, and the same is true of laboratories. Traditional ways of running a lab are prone to error, so digitizing these processes prevents these pitfalls.
This trend can take many forms, just as it does in other sectors ” like manufacturing. It could be as simple as recording findings on a computer instead of on paper. Alternatively, it can involve using artificial intelligence (AI) to process and analyze big data, revealing connections human eyes may miss.
Lab Digitization Yesterday and Today
The earliest form of lab digitization involves switching from paper records to digital ones. Physical files like paper documents are subject to physical dangers, so transitioning to computers was a safer choice. The trend toward digital bookkeeping birthed the electronic laboratory notebook (ELN).
ELNs are a software solution that allows scientists to record, analyze and share research digitally. Instead of taking notes and measurements by hand and then transferring them to a digital format, ELNs digitize the entire process. As technology improves, the number of systems scientists can then transfer ELN data to grows.
Today’s most noteworthy lab digitization trends include cloud computing, big data analysis and AI. These tools expand the possibilities of what scientists can do with the data they collect. As a result, they drive further ELN adoption as more labs want to take advantage of these digital systems.
Lab Digitization Benefits
Scientists are often early adopters of new tech, but they don’t upgrade just for the sake of owning the latest devices. The digitization trend wouldn’t take hold if it didn’t present some substantial advantages over traditional processes. So what are the benefits of lab digitization?
Lab digitization presents many of the same benefits as Industry 4.0 does for other types of businesses. These advantages are numerous, but you can organize them into four main categories: productivity, accessibility, security and sustainability. Here’s a more in-depth look at them:
1. Productivity
On average, it takes employees more than 10 minutes to find a paper document if they don’t already know where it is. Digitization allows for a more straightforward and tidy organization, enabling lab workers to find the right files faster. In turn, this makes labs more productive.
When using ELNs, recording results takes less time. By spending less time on administrative work, scientists can spend more hours focusing on their research.
2. Accessibility
Lab digitization also makes data more easily accessible. Tools like cloud computing are essential if scientists are on the move or need to access material in a new lab. This accessibility is especially advantageous for collaborative projects between different labs.
Digitization makes data accessible to humans, but technological processes benefit from the increased knowledge, too. Without it, labs wouldn’t be able to reap the benefits of AI and big data. Without AI and big data, scientific research would be limited to human-drawn conclusions.
3. Security
As mentioned earlier, digital records are safe from physical threats that could destroy paper documents. That isn’t their only security advantage, though. Since digital files are trackable, labs can see who accessed what documents at what time.
With solutions like encryption and multi-factor authentication, scientists can ensure digital records remain safe. Recovery features also enable labs to restore damaged or lost data, which would be unthinkable with paper. If labs are working on sensitive projects, such as high-level government assignments, stronger security is a must.
4. Sustainability
Lab digitization also makes scientific research more environmentally friendly. Paper accounts for more than 40% of globally traded wood, making it a substantial contributor to deforestation. Switching to a paperless work environment removes labs’ connection to this ecological issue.
Economic sustainability is another concern of labs that can improve with digitization. Printing, scanning and storing physical documents requires extensive equipment and creates significant maintenance costs. Digital solutions aren’t free but come at a fraction of the overall price.
Laboratory 4.0
The lab of tomorrow, laboratory 4.0, will have undergone a complete digital transformation. As processes like AI and big data analytics become more sophisticated and versatile, lab digitization will take over as the standard practice. The benefits of these systems alone are enough to drive the digital revolution in labs.
Just as Industry 4.0 is fast-approaching, labs are transitioning into digital workspaces at a growing rate. Lab digitization will lead to faster, more accurate research, which will produce new scientific discoveries. Digitization has the potential to spur the next scientific revolution.
