Summary of Lab IT vs. Office IT:

 
1. Office computers are "owned" by a single person, while lab computers are often shared by multiple people

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Because lab computers are often shared among multiple people and groups, it is important to create different levels of access to ensure data integrity. In general, IT support should be the admin of lab computers so they can manage and maintain the computers, such as install and upgrade applications, configure operating systems, and manage user privileges. Scientists are the users of lab computers, they can execute the applications, read and write data files (but not make changes to applications). Power user privileges would be assigned to lab managers if it is necessary. 

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IT support manages and maintains the computers, such as install and upgrade applications, configure operating systems, and manage user privileges. Scientists who use lab computers can execute the applications (but not make changes) as well as read and write data files. Power user privileges would be assigned to lab managers if it is necessary. 

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2.  Any upgrade of operation systems and scientific applications on validated/regulated computers must go with change control

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Upgrades of operating systems and scientific applications on validated/regulated computers must be tested to endure data integrity.  Execution and roll back plans must be included in change control. In addition, the reason for the change, data integrity assessment and the risk assessment must be documented in change control. 

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3. Lab computers are used for collection of raw data, while office computers are used for generation of documents
 

Raw materials or experiment samples can be expensive and experiments may take a longer time. It is important to have the raw data files collected by lab computers and saved on the local hard drives. Since lab computers are directly connected to the instruments through cables, a network glitch would not interfere with the data collection process. After the raw data files are saved on the local hard drive, an automated process is required to copy/transfer/migrate the files to a centralized data repository as a backup/archive. 
 

4. Activation of operating system patches and anti-virus updates on lab computers is postponed to avoid any negative impact on collection of raw data files 

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In order to activate the operating system patches and anti-virus updates, a system reboot is usually required. However, rebooting of lab computers must be carefully planned to avoid interference with experiments and data collection. Office computers instead are able to be rebooted at non-business hours.

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