ELN software that breaks down data silos and connects teams

ELN software (or electronic lab notebook software) is a digital notebook where scientists record assay and experiment observations, data, and notes. Unlike paper notebooks, an ELN creates a timestamped, auditable record of lab work that can be shared across teams, easily searched and filtered, linked to related data, and reviewed or signed off without physical handling.

An ELN cuts out the limitations of paper. Records are searchable, shareable, and protected against loss or damage. Beyond that, a good ELN shortens the review and sign-off process, supports collaboration across distributed teams, and creates an automatic audit trail that paper simply can't provide. For regulated labs, that auditability is what makes compliance documentation manageable rather than burdensome.

A standalone ELN, one that isn't connected to your sample and assay data, solves the documentation problem without solving the data problem. Experimental context gets captured in the notebook, but results still live in separate files or systems, and reconciling them manually introduces exactly the errors and delays the ELN software was supposed to prevent.

A LIMS manages sample tracking, chain-of-custody, storage, and workflow execution. An ELN captures experimental protocols, observations, and scientific context. The two are complementary solutions, and LabKey’s ELN runs in the same system as sample management and LIMS, so experimental context stays attached to the data it describes.

Yes. LabKey's ELN includes structured review and sign-off workflows with automatic notifications, commenting, and collaboration tools. On sign-off, an encrypted snapshot is taken of the notebook entry (text and linked data), preserving the original state for audit and IP protection purposes.

Yes. Notebook entries can be co-authored, commented on, and reviewed by multiple team members, with linked data and file attachments visible inline. Teams working across functions or locations work from the same entries and the same underlying data, so there's no version confusion or context lost in handoffs.

Yes. We designed LabKey’s ELN to exist in the same system as sample management and LIMS, so entries natively link to samples, assay results and workflows.

LabKey holds a SOC 2 Type II attestation, commissions independent penetration tests, and publishes its security controls and audit documentation in the LabKey Trust Center. Group- and role-based permissions control who can see and edit records, and single sign-on and two-factor authentication are available at certain tiers. When a notebook is signed off, the ELN takes an encrypted snapshot of the entry and its linked data. In LabKey cloud deployments, data is encrypted at rest and in transit.

Labs in several industries like biotech and pharma, academic research, and government research use LabKey’s ELN software, along with the scientists, managers, QA staff and data teams who work in them.

Each role uses it differently:

Bench scientists link samples, protocols and results directly in a notebook entry, so the record points to the data instead of repeating it.
Lab managers see which notebooks are in progress, in review or signed off.
QA teams review a notebook against a fixed record. When a notebook is signed off, the ELN takes an encrypted snapshot of the text and linked data, and the entry sits alongside the sample’s audit trail.
IT and data teams can manage notebook entries in the same system as sample and assay records, under the same role-based access.