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openBIS

openbis.ch

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Spec score 7.4 #18 of 23 in Electronic Lab Notebook Software

What it is

openBIS combines research data management, a digital lab notebook, and sample and protocol management. Researchers can connect data of any size and format to experiments through its web interface or API. The notebook links experiments with materials, samples, and protocols in the inventory, where teams can track lab materials and create experimental procedures to share with lab members.

BigDataLink provides a git-like way to link large datasets across locations while openBIS serves as the metadata repository. The system supports Excel import and export, and lab notebooks and inventory folders can be exported to Excel and PDF. User profiles and access privileges govern access, and database modifications are tracked. Plugins can extend existing functions or add new ones. Jupyter notebooks can be used with openBIS, and its APIs can connect workflow managers for cluster analysis.

The software is open source under the Apache Licence 2.0. Documentation covers standalone and Docker systems, and binary releases are available. The openRDM.swiss service offers cloud hosting with data stored in Switzerland; self-hosting on an institution’s local IT infrastructure can be agreed. That service is aimed at experimental research groups in Swiss universities or research institutes. SIS describes its email support as “best effort.” A 2021 service agreement offered a three-month test period without service charges, while infrastructure costs still applied.

Spec sheet

Purpose
openBIS is presented as a complete solution for managing research data.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Intended users
The openRDM.swiss service based on openBIS is aimed at experimental research groups in Swiss universities or research institutes.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Audience
The openRDM.swiss service is aimed at experimental research groups in Swiss universities or research institutes.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Deployment
The documentation lists standalone and Docker system documentation, and the site says binary releases are available for download.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.readthedocs.io
Trial
A 2021 openRDM.swiss service agreement offered a three-month test period without service charges, while infrastructure costs still had to be covered.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Support
SIS describes its email support for openBIS as “best effort.”Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
License
The software is open source and distributed under the Apache Licence 2.0.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Access and audit
openBIS provides user profile and access privilege controls and keeps track of database modifications.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Access controls and audit
openBIS provides user profile and access privilege controls and tracks modifications entered in the database.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Analysis integrations
The site describes using Jupyter notebooks with openBIS and its APIs to connect workflow managers for cluster analysis.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
BigDataLink
BigDataLink is described as a git-like tool for linking large datasets across different locations while using openBIS as a metadata repository.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Data management
It can store data of any size and format connected to experiments through the web interface or API.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Extensibility
Users can write plugins to extend existing functionality or add new functionality.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Hosting
The openRDM.swiss service offers cloud hosting with data stored in Switzerland, and self-hosting on an institution’s local IT infrastructure can be agreed.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Import and export
The site lists Excel import and export, plus export of full lab notebooks and inventory folders to Excel and PDF.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Inventory
It tracks lab materials and samples and lets users create experimental procedures to share with lab members.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Lab notebook
The lab notebook links experiments to materials, samples, and protocols stored in the inventory.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Large datasets
BigDataLink lets users use openBIS as a metadata repository and link large datasets across different locations with a git-like tool.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Provider
The openBIS team says it is part of ETH Zurich Scientific IT Services.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch
Research data
It stores data of any size and format connected to experiments through its web interface or API.Read 9 Oct 2026 · openbis.ch

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Open source under the Apache Licence 2.0.
  • Connects experiment data through web interface or API.
  • Tracks database modifications and access privileges.
  • Exports notebooks and inventory folders to Excel and PDF.
  • BigDataLink links datasets across locations.

Limits

  • Email support is described as “best effort.”
  • The three-month test period was in a 2021 service agreement.
  • Infrastructure costs still applied during that test period.

Who it suits

openBIS suits research groups that need to connect experimental data with notebooks, samples, materials, and protocols. The openRDM.swiss hosted service specifically targets experimental research groups in Swiss universities or research institutes.

Verdict

openBIS links research records, inventory, and data management, with options to extend and integrate its capabilities. Its open-source license and deployment options are clear; hosted-service terms and support scope may need closer review.

Where Specifiction places it

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