While efforts to map laboratory and evaluation processes as completely as possible with suitable digitization tools are being driven forward by almost all institutions and companies active in the field of materials science, the effects of digital change on researchers and laboratory technicians have so far received much less attention. This contribution discusses some aspects of the associated work organization and social issues from the perspective of a research institution, also introducing the experience of materials testing companies and software developers gained as part of a joint project.

Topics addressed in the contribution include: the adaptability of digitization tools such as electronic lab notebooks and databases to the workflows in testing laboratories, the need to train technicians and scientists in digitization and the ways in which the empirical knowledge of employees can be digitally captured and used. In addition, a critical look is taken at the additionally required time and manpower for laboratory digitization and the protection and personal know-how of employees, including the demand for limiting performance monitoring, which would be possible from evaluations of metadata of laboratory processes. The article includes the results of surveys of technicians and scientists on digitization.