This invention is a generically constructed and authenticated relational database, the main aim of which is to manage data, records and logistics information and the tracing of said data and typically applied to a variety of workflow processes in e.g., but not restricted to, science and industry. To this end information is entered through notebooks or through instruments into a database that can be either a single user system or a full system. A single user system has limited functionality and can be connected to only a single full system at a time, whereas a full system is able to communicate with a plurality of single user systems, databases and other full systems according to the present innovation. This system authenticates data and can be used for reverse tracing to for instance lab animals in biomedical research, and forward tracing to for instance the retail part of the food value chain from the animal of origin or from ingredients like feed or other components added to the chain. Central is the generic architecture of the system, allowing creation and linking into the existing data categories new data categories and data tables without the need to modify the system or the computer program.