Overview

Client: Institute for Molecular Biotechnology Austria

Project: RNAi Gene Library Platform

Industry: Genetic Research

Technologies Used: PostgreSQL, Tomcat, Java, JSP, XML, XSLT, HTML, CSS, JavaScript

1. Background

The RNAi Gene Library Platform was developed to support large-scale, high-throughput genetic research. It provides a robust, fully operational system for managing inventory, genetic screens, and data analysis. This platform is designed to handle complex workflows with maximum reliability, ensuring 24/7 operation without any downtime.

2. Objectives

• Design & Develop a failsafe platform for managing an RNAi Gene Library, with modules for stock-keeping, shipping, ordering, and genetic screen analysis.
• Implement Comprehensive Inventory Management to streamline logistics, ensuring efficient tracking, shipping, and request processing.
• Guarantee Data Quality & Control by providing 100% reliable tools for genetic screen analysis, ensuring the integrity of research data.
• Ensure 24/7 Operation with no downtime to meet the critical demands of handling and tracking living model organisms in genetic research.
• Utilize an Advanced Barcode System to enhance operational efficiency in managing high-volume and complex inventory environments.
  

3. Solution

The platform was designed with a layered architecture to ensure scalability, reliability, and minimal downtime. Meeting the platform’s high SLA requirements—particularly for downtime and error rates—required going beyond standard industry practices. This led to the development of a custom architecture tailored to its specific needs.

The three primary layers of the platform are:

• Database Layer (PostgreSQL, XML)
• This layer manages the core functionality, including transaction updates, error handling, and data consistency. The database is built with a strong, fool-proof design, making it nearly impossible to corrupt with invalid or inconsistent data, even by administrators. PostgreSQL allows real-time updates, ensuring the platform remains operational during maintenance without requiring downtime.
  
• Web Server Layer (Tomcat, JSP, XML)
• The web server hosts the platform and acts as a simple, generic middleware connecting user interfaces to the database. Tomcat’s configuration, along with load balancers, ensures continuous operation, even during server restarts or individual failures.
  
• User Interface Layer (XSLT, HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• The user interface is designed for simplicity and efficiency, allowing researchers to easily interact with the platform. By separating data and presentation layout, interface changes do not impact underlying data management. The architecture can be configured to pass data and layout separately to the client, enabling data rendering on the client side.

4. Challenges

• Building a system that meets strict SLAs for 24/7 operation with zero downtime.
• Ensuring accurate and seamless data handling for high-volume genetic screens and logistics.
• Creating an intuitive interface that guides researchers and logistics workers through complex situations, minimizing errors.
• Guaranteeing data integrity and quality control across all operations.
• Managing the high demand for limited resources in a way that maintains fairness and efficiency in order handling.

5. Results

• 30,000+ Living Lines of Transgenic Model Organisms managed efficiently.
• 1 Million Orders Shipped to over 150 countries, ensuring global research efforts continue without interruption.
• Zero Data Errors and Zero Downtime, ensuring continuous, reliable platform performance.

6. Lessons Learned

• Clear Separation of Layers enhances flexibility and minimizes downtime during updates or changes.
• Failsafe Design Principles ensure system continuity and prevent errors, even in high-demand environments.
• Nonlinear Scalability required careful performance tuning before the platform was launched.
• Complexity of Fairness in order management necessitated additional computer-aided governance for logistics workers.

7. Conclusion

By partnering with us, you're not just getting a technology solution – you're gaining a team with proven expertise in delivering robust, scalable, and innovative systems that drive real-world impact across industries. Our experience managing complex, mission-critical systems in genetic research translates seamlessly to the high-stakes world of e-Commerce and Logistics, where reliability, scalability, and innovation are crucial.