openBis
Attributes
DescriptionElectronic lab notebook, inventory management system and data management system for experimental sciences.
ProviderETH Zurich
Information on ProviderScientific IT Services
URLwww.openbis.ch
Activity Statusactive
Information on Active20.10.12, released on 2025.08.18
Last checked on26.08.2025
Provider's data safety and data security strategies
Reference usersETH Zurich
Reviewswww.openbis.ch
Exit strategyEverything can be exported from openBIS. Metadata are exported from the UI in pdf and xlsx format. Data are exported in orginal format. Metadata are stored in a postgres database. Currently working on RO-crate export.
Communityhttps://community.openbis.ch/
Known usersEmpa, BAM, Fraunhofer IWM
General
LicenseOpen Source, Apache 2.0 licence
SubjectGeneric
PricingFree, Paid support services can be provided on request
VersionsDemo, Demo hosted by NFDI: https://demo.chemotion.scc.kit.edu, Demo version: openBIS ELN-LIMS Virtual Machine, Online-Demo: https://openbis-eln-lims.ethz.ch/openbis/webapp/eln-lims/?menuUniqueId=null&viewName=showBlancPage&viewData=null
Location of providerSwitzerland
Usability
Customizable user interfaceCustomizable user interface, programming required for UI customization
LanguagesEnglish
SupportOnline documentation, Consulting, Support by provider, User training (online, on site), Paid support services can be provided on request
Usage statisticsCan be turned off, Usage statistics
Offline functionalities
Core functions (Daily work)
Data inputBarcode Scanner, With external links, Plain text editor, Browser forms, Digital Pen, Dictation function, With internal links, Rich text editor, Digital pen, dictation function available when using openBIS on tablets. Not part of openBIS code, but relying on devices' fucntionalities.
Data import (formats)Document formats, Table formats, Structured formats, Compressed formats, Scientific formats, Image formats, Audio formats, MS Office formats, Video formats, Data of any size and type can be imported in openBIS
Data import (method)Drag & Drop / File Chooser, drag and drop available from UI for files not larger than 10GB. Data of any size and type can be imported in openBIS in a variety of ways: web UI, command line, API, dropbox mechanism.
Data exportComplete content in document format, Formats suitable for long term archiving, .xlsx, .pdf
TemplatesDefine own templates
Search functionsAdvanced search, BLAST search, Conditional search, Database queries, Search by command line, Full text search
CollaborationRole management, Rights management
Compliance with legal requirements
Preservation of evidenceAudit Trail, Timestamping
Compliance
Extended functions (Daily work)
Laboratory management functionsMaterials database, Sample Tracking, LIMS connectivity, Freezer Management, Inventory (devices), Ordering function
Integrations and extensionsJupyterHub, FAIRDOM, DSpace, Zenodo
AutomationAutomation: On request, Get data from instrument
Device connectionDevice connection, Not by default, but devices can be connected, for direct data import.
Project management tools
WorkflowsImport possible, Export possible
Integration in RDM and IT environment
Application programming interfacesOther API, Python library, Java API, Command line input, Javascript; Online API documentation
Controlled vocabularyControlled Vocabulary, supported, need to be created by users.
Data accessBrowser based, Local client, Responsive Design
Data storage locationLocal, Cloud, cloud provisioning available as a service in Switzerland only.
Type of external cloudPublic cloud
Location of data storage or processingSwitzerland
Level of data protection (e.g. certification)
Transport encryption
Data storage encryptionDifferent roles available in openBIS. It is possible to spcify to which part of the system a user should have access to and what type of access.
Access control
Guaranteed SLAs
Interval of Data Backupsdepends on local provider
Number of Data Backupsdepends on local provider
Data Backups EncryptedNo, depends on local provider
Template for data processing agreement (DPA), including the technical and organizational measures (TOM)
Authentication methodsLocal, LDAP, Other, SSO (Switchaai, Switch Edu-id)
User account security measuresPasskeys
Usage optionOn-premises, Software as a Service, SAAS in Switzerland only
Server operating systemLinux