Before you start using Plugg, it is helpful to understand the core concepts that organize information throughout the platform: Apps, Records, and Stocks

Together, these concepts allow Plugg to capture not only your data, but also the relationships between different pieces of information.

Apps

Apps are used to organize different types of information.

Unlike traditional laboratory databases, Plugg apps are highly customizable and can be configured to track virtually any type of information your lab needs.

For example, an app might be used to track:

  • Plasmids
  • Cell lines
  • Tissue Samples
  • Protocols
  • Sequencing Data
  • Order requests
  • Equipment
  • Publications

Each app contains records of a specific type.

Records

A record is a single entry within an app.

For example:

  • A plasmid in the Plasmids app
  • A sequencing run in the Sequencing Runs app
  • An order request in the Order Requests app

Records store all information related to a specific object, including metadata, attachments, comments, links to other records, and more.

Stocks

A stock represents a physical instance of a record.

For example, a plasmid record may have several physical stocks stored in different freezers, boxes, or tubes.

While a record describes what something is, a stock tracks a physical copy of that item.

A single record can have multiple stocks stored in different locations.

Locations

Locations define where stocks are stored.

Locations can represent:

  • Rooms
  • Freezers
  • Shelves
  • Racks
  • Boxes
  • Any other storage container

Locations can be organized hierarchically.

For example:

Lab → Freezer 1 → Shelf A → Box 3 → Position B5

This structure makes it easy to find physical materials and track where they are stored.

How They Work Together

The relationship between these concepts can be summarized as follows:

Apps contain records.

Records can be linked to other records.

Records can have one or more stocks.

Stocks are stored in locations.

Together, these relationships allow Plugg to capture both your data and the workflow that connects it.

Linked Information

One of Plugg's most powerful features is its ability to connect information across apps.

Records can be linked to other records across apps, creating relationships that reflect how work is actually performed in the lab.

As information becomes connected, Plugg creates a traceable record of your workflows, making it easier to navigate between related records and understand how data, materials, and experiments are connected.

To learn more, see Understanding Linked Information and Custom Workflows.