OpenInstrument is the simple, affordable way for university research labs and departments to handle instrument booking, team access, and scheduling — without the complexity of tools built for core facilities.
Free plan available · No credit card required · Set up in minutes
Purpose-built for independent research labs and university departments — not sprawling core facilities with six-figure software budgets.
Calendar-based booking with configurable time slots, business hours, minimum and maximum session lengths, and blackout periods for planned maintenance.
Grant instrument access to individual researchers. Admins manage the lab while members book only what they're approved to use. Optional approval workflows keep bookings orderly.
Log maintenance events, track full service history, and take instruments offline for downtime. Keep a complete audit trail of every instrument's health.
Attach SOPs, safety protocols, and user guides directly to each instrument. Embed YouTube training videos so researchers can watch them right on the instrument page.
See who is using which instruments, for how long, and how often. Export usage reports as CSV to support grant reporting and resource allocation decisions.
Researchers get email confirmations when bookings are made, approved, or cancelled. Admins are alerted to pending approvals so nothing falls through the cracks.
No IT department required. Set up your lab and invite your team in three simple steps.
Sign up, create your lab, and add your instruments. Upload photos, attach spec sheets, and configure scheduling rules for each piece of equipment.
Send email invitations to your researchers and assign instrument access at the time of invite so they're ready to book from day one.
Researchers browse available instruments and book time slots directly from the calendar. Admins get notified and can approve or manage requests.
Priced for academic labs, not IT departments. Start free — upgrade when you're ready.
Try it out with a small lab.
Unlimited instruments and users for your lab.
Site license for an entire department.
Institution-wide site license.
Join research labs at universities already using OpenInstrument. Free to start, straightforward to use.