Decision support: Allow end-users
to eventually perform cross-assay and cross-core comparisons
that could potentially lead to a better understanding
of immune cell function. The data management application,
using a centralized data repository, will be optimized
for complex querying across Cores and clinical sites.
Data standardization and capturing of 'metadata':
Data that is not structured or correctly formatted
is difficult to consolidate and use in cross-study
analyses. The centralized repository requires standardization
of data across cores for common attributes. Additional
data not initially part of the Core laboratories'
LIMS may be identified as necessary for cross Core
queries to be meaningful.
Data quality: Data validation and
cleaning is more effectively enforced through a centralized
data management system as opposed to relying solely
on the on-site LIMS to regulate data quality. The
ability to process data prior to integration will
help minimize analyses based on 'dirty' or incomplete
data.
Security: Security policies are
more rigorously enforced using a centralized data
management system, as opposed to accessing data directly
from the various Core facilities.
Disaster recovery mechanism: Core
laboratories may not necessarily have the infrastructure
for routine, off-site data backups. Should data be
lost at a core facility, there may be no way of recovering
data short of reanalysis. A centralized repository,
off-site, serves as a backup of each of the core facilities
data.
