The resulting Repository is a PHP/MySQL application which makes extensive use of ajax for ease of use. It supports six user roles and a multi-stage application process which includes institutional approval and specialist assessment.
The client
The Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust was established in 1973 to support health research in New Zealand. The Trust’s Director, Dr James Hodge, has been an enthusiastic advocate of the Repository since the start of the project and has proposed a number of the enhancements added since its initial deployment.
The design
A lot of up front effort went into design. Detailed requirements and process flow diagrams were revised several times and wireframes were prepared and discussed. By the time coding began there was a clear understanding of the functionality and features to be delivered.
The future
Since the Repository was deployed there have been several enhancements to the functionality it offers, along with a few bug fixes (it’s a large and complex application). Further improvements are planned, including the ability to generate composite epub files of application documentation for use on tablet devices.
Visiting the Repository
The Paykel Trust Repository is targeted at medical researchers and doesn’t have a public face. To access the Repository you would need to create a user account. You can, however, see the registration and login forms at this link, which is something.
Leigh is repaying karma from a previous life by working out this one in IT. She’s a project manager, developer, writer, musician … and a recovering soccer player.