openBIS
What it is
openBIS combines research data management, a digital lab notebook, and sample and protocol tracking. 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, while inventory tools track lab supplies and support shared procedures. BigDataLink provides a git-like way to link large datasets stored in different locations while openBIS keeps metadata. Jupyter notebooks and workflow managers can connect through its APIs for cluster analysis. Excel import and export are supported, and full lab notebooks or inventory folders can be exported to Excel and PDF. User profiles and access privileges control use, and database changes are recorded. Plugins extend the system. openBIS is open source under Apache Licence 2.0, with Linux, web, API, and self-hosted options. openRDM.swiss offers Swiss cloud hosting.
For and against
For
- Stores data of any size and format
- Links experiments with samples and protocols
- Tracks database modifications
- Supports API and full-text metadata search
- Offers Excel and PDF exports
Against
- Support is described as best effort
- Swiss cloud service targets Swiss research groups
- Infrastructure costs may apply during trials
The verdict
openBIS brings experiment records, inventory, and research data into one open-source platform. Teams can self-host or use the Swiss-hosted service, with plugins and APIs for extension.
Who it suits
It is suited to experimental research groups, especially those needing linked notebooks, samples, protocols, metadata, and large datasets.
On the record
- Access and audit
- openBIS provides user profile and access privilege controls and keeps track of database modifications.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- Access controls and audit
- openBIS provides user profile and access privilege controls and tracks modifications entered in the database.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- Analysis integrations
- The site describes using Jupyter notebooks with openBIS and its APIs to connect workflow managers for cluster analysis.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The openRDM.swiss service is aimed at experimental research groups in Swiss universities or research institutes.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- BigDataLink
- BigDataLink is described as a git-like tool for linking large datasets across different locations while using openBIS as a metadata repository.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- Data management
- It can store data of any size and format connected to experiments through the web interface or API.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The documentation lists standalone and Docker system documentation, and the site says binary releases are available for download.openbis.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Users can write plugins to extend existing functionality or add new functionality.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- 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.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- Import and export
- The site lists Excel import and export, plus export of full lab notebooks and inventory folders to Excel and PDF.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The openRDM.swiss service based on openBIS is aimed at experimental research groups in Swiss universities or research institutes.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- Inventory
- It tracks lab materials and samples and lets users create experimental procedures to share with lab members.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- Lab notebook
- The lab notebook links experiments to materials, samples, and protocols stored in the inventory.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- Large datasets
- BigDataLink lets users use openBIS as a metadata repository and link large datasets across different locations with a git-like tool.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The software is open source and distributed under the Apache Licence 2.0.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- Provider
- The openBIS team says it is part of ETH Zurich Scientific IT Services.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- openBIS is presented as a complete solution for managing research data.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
- Research data
- It stores data of any size and format connected to experiments through its web interface or API.openbis.ch · read 9 Oct 2026
