BioData free video conferencing enables COVID-19 collaboration

06-Apr-2020 - Last updated on 06-Apr-2020 at 15:23 GMT

(Image: Getty/EvgeniyShkolenko)

The company has integrated a video conferencing and documentation tool to its Labguru electronic laboratory notebook at no charge during the pandemic.

The LabRoom video tool is designed to enable users to collaborate in real time across the globe, with tasks like experiment planning and tracking, data collation, analysis and more. By offering the conferencing and documentation component for free, the company said, users will be able to better work together and share information while separated during the pandemic.

Collaboration across distances

Jonathan Gross, BioData founder and chief technical officer, told Outsourcing-Pharma that more than 50,000 life-sciences laboratory managers, researchers and academics use Labguru. The technology enables users to move away from paper-based records, and it enhances the ability to collaborate across teams and organizations.

“Labguru ELN allows research continuity throughout the research lifecycle, even during social distancing and the need for remote work,” he said.

While the Labguru tool facilitates collaboration across distances in more typical times, the global pandemic has increased the need for such tools, Gross added.

“Never before has the world’s spotlight been more sharply focused on the scientific research community to deliver answers,” he said. “We hope that launching this new service at this time for all our customers, completely free of charge, goes some way towards supporting researchers working across the globe to combat this crisis.”

Conserving time

Gross also told us the Labguru platform and LabRoom video tool will help save time, especially important in the face of COVID-19’s spread.

“Speed is of the essence within the laboratory environment during this unprecedented level of pandemic. Every incremental gain can potentially save hours or even days of time,” he said.

Gross added, “By facilitating collaboration at a global level, LabRoom supports round the clock teamworking. All data can be saved transparently in a familiar, structured format and the baton picked up immediately by every team or individual working on the project.”

The LabRoom tool is designed to capture data tracking, management and analysis. include one-click video chat, video data encryption, real-time delegate availability indication, screen sharing via Google Chrome, a session recording option and instant access, with no need to download, verify or install new software.

Another features enables launching of all applications (including video) from within the Labguru electronic web notebook. Data can be autosaved in the app for immediate retrieval and sharing of information. According to the company, the automated feature saves time and boosts accuracy in reporting, audit control and compliance.