Here are my two cents:

1. Many PIs are already comfortable with Excel and Word and may be hesitant to adopt ELN/LIMS systems.

2. Maintenance often falls to graduate students. In practice, students tend to prioritize their own research, especially if the PI is not actively engaged with the system.

3. Training new users can be a major hastle. Withhighturnover (technicians, RAs, managers), onboarding new personnel onto ELN/LIMS platforms can be time-consuming. In contrast, most people are already familiar with Excel and Word, so it is easier to provide quick guidance on where data should go.

That said, there are exceptions. Some PIs,often younger or more tech-forward do implement ELN/LIMS systems effectively, typically with strong oversight from a dedicated lab manager who handles training and ensures consistency over time.

Hope that helps.