Empowering Scientific Excellence: Revolutionizing Lab Workflows with ZONTAL Operations at Bio-IT World Conference & Expo 2024

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Recap: Revolutionizing Lab Workflows with ZONTAL Operations at Bio-IT World Conference & Expo 2024

Christof Gänzler, Director of Pre-Sales and Product Marketing at ZONTAL, delivered this presentation at the Bio-IT World Conference & Expo in Boston 2024, exploring advancements in laboratory data management.

Transforming Data into Corporate Assets

Managing large volumes of scientific data requires accessibility, reusability, and integration into research workflows. ZONTAL’s FAIR data platform ensures that all lab-generated data whether from instruments, ELNs, LIMS, or specialty platforms is properly stored, annotated, and preserved. This creates a centralized, structured, and searchable ecosystem where data is transformed into a corporate asset.

Automating Analytical Workflows

This presentation showcased how ZONTAL supports structured analytical request workflows, streamlining data collection and integration. Instead of manually transferring files, logging information, or reformatting outputs, ZONTAL orchestrates the entire process from experiment planning to data analysis reducing human error and improving efficiency.

One example shared was a chemist verifying reaction outcomes. Traditionally, scientists must manually check if an experiment produced the expected compound. With ZONTAL, instrument data is automatically ingested, annotated, and integrated into analysis tools like Mnova, enabling instant validation without manual intervention.

Overcoming Integration Challenges

Many labs struggle with fragmented systems and siloed data. This presentation addressed a key industry pain point: managing multiple instrument connections. When system updates occur, IT teams often face the burden of reprogramming connections across various analytical tools and databases.

ZONTAL addresses these issues by providing a FAIR data framework that connects ELNs, LIMS, instrument outputs, and data science tools. By automatically normalizing, preserving, and indexing information, scientists and IT teams can focus on data-driven research rather than troubleshooting infrastructure.

Seamless Integration with Scientific Workflows

One of the biggest advantages of ZONTAL’s approach is its ability to integrate with existing tools and platforms. This presentation demonstrated how:

ZONTAL connects directly to instruments, pulling raw data, metadata, and results into structured data packages.
Scientists can access results instantly within their preferred ELN or LIMS system without switching platforms.
Advanced search and metadata indexing allow organizations to retrieve data years later with full audit trails, ensuring compliance and data integrity.

Case Study: Streamlining Lab Operations

A real-world use case highlighted a customer who needed a fully automated workflow. The goal was simple: a scientist should be able to submit a test request, walk to the instrument, conduct the test, and return to their desk to find the analyzed results waiting.

With ZONTAL’s FAIR data platform, the workflow was fully automated, ensuring:

Automated instrument requests and data ingestion
Real-time processing and annotation
Immediate data integration into ELNs or analysis platforms
Full traceability with an audit trail

This approach has led to significant efficiency gains, reduced manual errors, and improved data reliability.

Q&A: Addressing Industry Concerns

During the session, attendees raised key questions about instrument registration, API integration, and data compatibility. The discussion highlighted that ZONTAL works directly with over 400 instruments and collaborates closely with manufacturers to ensure seamless data ingestion and interoperability.

One participant asked how ZONTAL compares to existing scientific data platforms. The response emphasized that ZONTAL not only reads and integrates instrument data but also preserves original files in standardized formats, ensuring long-term accessibility and compliance.

Unlocking the Future of Digital Labs

By implementing automation and FAIR principles, ZONTAL helps scientists manage and analyze data efficiently. This structured approach reduces manual administrative efforts, ensures long-term data accessibility and compliance, and enhances scalability for AI-driven analysis, making labs future-ready.

As laboratories continue to embrace digital transformation, ZONTAL’s FAIR data platform provides a strong foundation for modern data-driven research. By implementing automation and FAIR principles, ZONTAL helps scientists manage and analyze data efficiently, reducing manual administrative efforts. As laboratories continue to embrace digital transformation, ZONTAL’s FAIR data platform provides the foundation for scalable, compliant, and AI-ready data management.

Watch the Full Presentation

Watch the full presentation to gain deeper insights into structured data management, best practices for automating lab operations, and real-world applications of FAIR data principles in laboratory environments.