In research and quality control (QCabs, managing growing amounts of data from various instruments and systems can be a major challenge. A Scientific Data Management System (SDMS) helps organize, store, and retrieve lab data in a structured way — making digitalization possible and practical. While an SDMS does not automatically make data FAIR, it provides the infrastructure needed to implement FAIR principles.
What is an SDMS?
An SDMS system collects and manages data from different lab sources, such as instruments, software, and files. It stores the data and allows users to search, access, and share it. Unlike simple file storage, an SDMS captures metadata, tracks versions, and ensures data integrity — key regulatory compliance and reproducibility factors. BUT the quality of the data in a SDMS is only as good as the input funneled into it (manual data entry vs digital instrument data).
Why It Matters for R&D and QC Labs
R&D labs benefit from having a central place to find past experiments, analyze trends, and collaborate across teams. In QC labs, data integrity, reliability, quality and traceability is essential for audits and quality assurance. An SDMS reduces the risk of errors, likely saves time, and makes it easier to meet documentation requirements.
How Inniti Supports SDMS Integration
Inniti connects the instruments and extracts the data in multiple ways depending on the instrument's connectivity capabilities. Inniti also captures and logs user data, time, instrument number, etc. (metadata). All data and log files are normalised, standardised - and potentially validated (optional) - in Inniti's platform and transferred to any existing SDMS, LIMS, ELN or data lake (AI) via Inniti’s API.
Connecting the instruments - including legacy and stand-alone - will improve data quality, integrity and reliability, and thereby raise the value an SDMS gives in a laboratory setting.
Reflection
An SDMS is a key part of lab digitalization, helping labs manage their data more effectively. With support from platforms like Inniti, labs can simplify integration and ensure that their digital systems are built on reliable, well-organized data. Book a call with Inniti today.
