Application Development for Research

Application Development for Research helps research teams improve workflows, solve operational challenges, and develop technology solutions that support research activities.

The service partners with investigators, study teams, and research support staff to understand needs, identify opportunities for improvement, and determine the most effective path forward. Whether the solution involves workflow improvements, system integrations, existing platforms, or custom development, the goal is to help research teams work more efficiently and effectively.

Work areas

Solution Design & Technology Consulting

Not every challenge requires custom software. Services include evaluating and recommending:

Existing institutional platforms and services
Workflow automation solutions
Platform enhancements
Systems integrations
Custom-developed applications

The focus is on identifying the right solution for the problem, not simply building new technology.

Systems Integration

Research activities often span multiple systems. Services include connecting platforms and automating the movement of information between systems, including:

External applications
REDCap
OnCore
Institutional services
Research databases
Laboratory systems

Workflow Analysis & Process Improvement

Support includes evaluating:

Opportunities for automation and efficiency
Current processes and workflows
Manual and time-consuming activities
Operational bottlenecks
Information management challenges

Custom Application Development

When existing tools cannot meet a research need, custom applications can be designed and developed to support:

Data collection and reporting
Clinical research operations
Study management
Research administration
Laboratory workflows

Example challenges

Many projects begin with a simple observation:

This process requires too much manual effort.
This workflow cannot scale effectively.
These systems should work together.
Too much time is spent moving information between tools.
There has to be a better way to do this.
Functionality needed for this process does not exist today.

Projects may involve:

Automating labor-intensive processes
Simplifying complex operational workflows
Enhancing existing research platforms
Connecting systems that were not designed to work together
Eliminating repetitive manual tasks
Creating reusable solutions that benefit multiple research groups

The focus is on developing technology that adapts to research needs, rather than requiring research teams to adapt their workflows.

Working Across the Research Informatics Ecosystem

Research challenges often require expertise from multiple Informatics teams. Collaboration frequently includes:

REDCap Services
Computing Platforms (Platform X and Platform R)
Research Data Engineering
Clinical and operational stakeholders

When another service is better suited to meet a need, guidance and referrals can help connect researchers with the appropriate team.

Step 1. Understand the challenge

We begin by learning about your workflow, goals, and operational challenges.

Step 2. Evaluate options

We assess available platforms, services, integrations, automation opportunities, and development approaches.

Step 3. Design the solution

We identify the most effective path forward, whether that involves process improvements, existing technology, systems integration, or custom development.

Step 4. Implement and support

We work with stakeholders and partner teams to implement solutions that support research operations and improve efficiency.

Frequently asked questions

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No, many researchers know the challenge they are trying to solve but are unsure of the best technical approach.

You do not need to know whether you need:

An application
A database
An integration
An automation
Another Informatics service

Formal requirements, technical documentation, and project plans are not required to begin a conversation.

Simply tell us about the challenge, and we’ll help determine the best path forward.

No, the solution does not need to be determined in advance.

Challenges can be evaluated collaboratively to identify the most appropriate approach.

Yes, integration and automation services can help connect research platforms and support information exchange between systems.

We frequently work alongside REDCap services and can help determine whether REDCap is an appropriate solution for a particular research need.

We also have experience developing extensions, integrations, and supporting tools that complement existing research platforms.

Research challenges frequently require expertise from multiple groups.

We regularly collaborate with:

Research Data Engineering
REDCap Services
Computing Platforms (Platform X and Platform R)
Clinical and operational stakeholders

If another team is better positioned to meet a need, we will help connect you with the appropriate service.

As early as possible after you identify a problem.

Engaging early often helps identify opportunities, avoid unnecessary work, and ensure the right solution is considered from the beginning.

We are happy to discuss ideas before requirements, funding, or project details have been fully defined.

Yes. In many cases, workflow improvements, automation, systems integrations, or existing platforms can address a challenge without requiring a new application.