Getting Started
Register for an account
If you don’t have an account yet, sign up at the registration page. You’ll need to:
- Provide your email address and create a password
- Verify your email address by clicking the link sent to your inbox
- Complete your profile with your name
Join your labspace
After your lab admin sends you an invitation:
- Check your email for the labspace invitation
- Click the invitation link to join the labspace
- You’ll be automatically added with the role assigned by your admin
Sidebar Navigation Overview
The sidebar is divided into three main sections:- My Bench
- Labspace
- Settings
Your personal workspace within the labspace
My Bench Section
Your personal workspace for tracking your own projects and inventory.My Projects
My Projects
Manage your individual research projects and experiments.
- Create Projects: Set up your own research projects
- Log Experiments: Document experiments within your projects
- Track Usage: Record products and equipment used in your work
- Attach Files: Upload protocols, data, and results
- Link to Grants: Associate experiments with funding sources
My Inventory
My Inventory
View items you’ve checked out or are responsible for.
- Personal Items: See all items assigned to you
- Item Count: Quick badge showing how many items you have
- Quick Access: Easily track what you’re currently using
- Return Items: Manage items when you’re done with them
Labspace Section
Main features for managing shared lab resources.Dashboard
Dashboard
Overview of your labspace at a glance.
- Quick Stats: See inventory levels, pending requests, and recent activity
- Reports: Access various reports including:
- Equipment expiring soon
- Equipment requiring maintenance
- Products expiring soon
- Products with low inventory
- Activity Feed: View recent changes and updates in your lab
Lab Inventory
Lab Inventory
Central hub for all lab products, equipment, and locations.This is your main inventory management area with three tabs:Products Tab:
- Browse all chemical reagents, consumables, and supplies
- View quantities, lot numbers, expiration dates, and locations
- Search and filter by category, location, or custom attributes
- Add new products or aliquots
- Check stock levels and expiration alerts
- View all lab equipment with specifications
- Check equipment availability and location
- Checkout equipment for your experiments
- Track maintenance schedules and certifications
- Log equipment usage time
- Navigate your lab’s storage hierarchy
- See what’s stored in each location
- Manage nested locations (Room > Freezer > Shelf)
Product Requests
Product Requests
Submit and track purchase requests.When you need new supplies or existing inventory is running low:
- Create Request: Submit a request for items to purchase
- Specify Details: Include product info, quantity, supplier, and justification
- Track Status: Monitor requests through pending, approved, or rejected states
- Add Comments: Communicate with lab managers about your request
- View History: See all your past requests
Product Orders
Product Orders
Manage orders from approval to receiving.Track the purchasing lifecycle:
- Active Orders: View outstanding orders with expected delivery dates
- Approved Requests: See requests that have been approved but not yet ordered
- Update Status: Mark items as ordered, shipped, or received
- Receive Items: When orders arrive, move them into inventory with:
- Lot numbers
- Expiration dates
- Storage locations
- Pricing information
- Quick Storage: Temporarily store items before final organization
- Order History: Review all completed orders
Advanced Features (Permission-Based)
Some features are only visible if you have the appropriate permissions:Compliance
Compliance
Manage safety and compliance documentation. (Admin access required)
- MSDS Management: Track Material Safety Data Sheets for all products
- Missing MSDS: Identify products lacking safety documentation
- Compliance Reports: Generate reports for audits and inspections
- Document Attachments: Upload and manage safety documents
Finances
Finances
Track lab spending and budgets. (Admin access required)
- Budget Overview: Monitor spending across categories and grants
- Order Costs: Track expenses for all product orders
- Grant Tracking: See spending per grant or funding source
- Financial Reports: Generate expense reports for your lab
Settings Section
Access labspace configuration and your profile settings.Settings
Settings
Manage labspace configuration and your account.The Settings page includes multiple sections:General Settings (Admin only):
- Update labspace name, description, and basic info
- Configure default units and preferences
- Manage storage regions
- View all labspace members
- See user profiles and contact information
- Manage invitations (Admin only)
- Configure roles and permissions (Admin only)
- Manage locations, categories, and sources (typically Admin only)
- Configure grants and funding sources
- Set up custom fields for products and equipment
- Import inventory from spreadsheets
- Export inventory data
- Billing information (Admin only)
- API access and integrations
- Labspace deletion and danger zone actions
Common Workflows
Finding a Reagent
Lab Inventory > Products
- Use search or browse by category/location
- Check quantity, lot number, and expiration
- Note the storage location
- If running low, create a Product Request
Requesting Supplies
Product Requests > Create Request
- Click “New Request”
- Search for existing product or add new one
- Specify quantity, supplier, and package size
- Add justification for the request
- Submit for manager approval
Receiving an Order
Product Orders > Move to Inventory
- When order arrives, mark it as received
- Click “Move to Inventory”
- Add parts with:
- Lot number
- Expiration date
- Storage location
- Price (optional)
- Item appears in Lab Inventory
Starting an Experiment
My Projects > New Experiment
- Select or create your project
- Add a new experiment
- Attach protocols or files
- Log product usage as you work
- Record equipment usage time
Checking Out Equipment
Lab Inventory > Equipment
- Find the equipment you need
- Click “Checkout”
- Equipment is now reserved for you
- Log usage when done
- Equipment becomes available again
Viewing Your Items
My Inventory
- See all items assigned to you
- Check quantities and locations
- Return items when finished
- Badge shows your total item count
Tips for Effective Use
Notifications: Enable notifications in your profile to get alerts about low inventory, approved requests, and upcoming equipment maintenance.