Case Studies

Usability

Testing by end users showed that the Help buttons were not needed for this chemical analysis database application, so we took them all out!

It is not often that people say that they actually like to fill in a form, but that is what happened with this library request form. Some original research revealed how people respond to complex forms.

Data Content

The quality of over 20,000 chemical structure records needed to be manually reviewed and fixed during a two-month project, prior to transfer to a new corporate database.

A chemical database and reformatting tools were created for handling files of compounds from dozens of suppliers, provided in widely different formats.

Data Integration

This pharmaceutical research information system consisted of three tightly linked databases that integrated chemical structures with numeric and textual data.

This was a web-based daily alerting service for new compounds and key test results. These were arranged in pages for each research project, with drill-down to more detailed result, past results, synthetic route, analytical data (including spectra), compound registry information, protocol descriptions, etc. Heavily used by research project leaders, and a key method of communicating new data.

Example: Non-operational DAWN Home Page - including further description

Technical Documentation & Publishing

A web-based guide for medicinal chemists on how to register new compounds into the corporate database. Detailed examples of corporate standards for drawing certain types of chemistry, including stereochemistry and salts. Hints and tips for achieving good aesthetics for drawn structures. Data sheets for common structure problems, their implications and how to fix and avoid them.

Examples:    Contents Page    Problem Compound Page

All aspects of the editing, production and distribution of user guides, newsletters, technical bulletins, promotional material, etc..