> SLAS Europe 2025 – Connected Lab Workflows in Action
From Fragmented Systems to Connected Workflows
Modern laboratories don’t struggle with a lack of data—they struggle with how that data is spread across instruments, ELNs, and informatics systems. What ZONTAL demonstrated is a different approach: bringing all of that data into a unified platform where it can be connected across the full experimental lifecycle.
Instead of isolated steps, workflows begin with experiment planning, move through execution, and return structured results that immediately inform what happens next. This creates a continuous flow of information, allowing labs to operate as connected systems rather than a collection of tools.
Operationalizing the Digital Lab
This shift is not just about centralizing data—it’s about enabling continuity across operations. When data flows seamlessly from one step to another, labs reduce manual coordination and gain the ability to act on results faster.
By connecting sample systems, instrumentation, and ELNs, organizations can move toward fully orchestrated workflows. In this model, results are not the end of the process—they are the trigger for the next step, enabling more efficient and scalable lab operations.
AI Starts with Data Readiness
A key theme from the discussion is that AI is not a starting point—it is an outcome. Before advanced analytics can deliver value, the underlying data must be structured, contextualized, and standardized.
Converting data into vendor-neutral formats and enriching it with the right context allows both scientists and systems to use it without needing to understand its original source. This foundation is what enables AI and machine learning to scale effectively within the lab environment.
Addressing Legacy Complexity
Many organizations are managing multiple ELNs and legacy systems, especially following mergers and acquisitions. These systems often contain critical data that must be preserved, even as labs modernize their infrastructure.
By integrating and standardizing this data into a single environment, labs can maintain access to historical knowledge while reducing the operational burden of maintaining disconnected systems. This creates a more unified and accessible data landscape across the organization.
A Platform Approach to the Modern Lab
What stands out is not a single feature, but the overall approach. Rather than solving one part of the problem, the focus is on creating a cohesive data ecosystem where workflows, data, and analytics operate together.
This reflects a broader industry shift toward platforms that unify processes and enable continuous, data-driven decision-making across the lab.
Final Thought
As highlighted at SLAS Europe, the future of the lab is not defined by any one technology. It is defined by how effectively data can move, connect, and drive what happens next.
Is your lab truly connected end-to-end?
