NKI has a comprehensive computing infrastructure which is dedicated to the support of NKI research projects. The infrastructure and associated staff expertise are used to apply computer science and information processing technologies to facilitate the conduct of research. The infrastructure consists of a wide array of technological capabilities and includes multiple file servers, a Local Area Network (LAN), numerous mathematical/statistical packages and programs, a number of communications options to access data, state-of-the-art relational databases to permanently store, manipulate and manage information, and the staff expertise necessary to support NKI research.

Citrix Metaframe

For researchers who require more processing power or disk space than is available on the desktop, NKI offers Citrix Metaframe XP. The Metaframe server provides mainframe-level processing power with the latest releases of SAS, SPSS, and Fortran. Client software is available for Windows, Macintosh, and Unix clients to allow access via the local or wide area networks or remotely via the Internet.

Local Area Network Resources

The NKI Local Area Network (LAN) consists of over 400 workstations inter-connected via a fiber optic backbone which provides a data transfer speed of 1 gigabit per second. NKI file servers provide several terabytes of disk space, backed up nightly, to our research community.

LAN application software available to all staff includes:

• Microsoft Access for desktop database development
• Microsoft Excel for spreadsheet applications
• Microsoft Exchange/Outlook for e-mail
• Microsoft Power Point for graphics and presentations
• Microsoft Word for word processing
• OVID for National of Library of Medicine (MEDLINE) bibliographic searches
• Reference Manager for bibliographic reference management
• Macromedia Cold Fusion MX for Web application development
• Microsoft SQL Server for enterprise database development
• SAS for statistical data analysis
• SPSS for statistical data analysis
• DBMS/Copy for file format conversion

Connectivity/Communications

Network linkages include high-speed connections to the Internet, the New York State Office of Mental Health Wide Area Network, and New York State Psychiatric Institute. These connections enhance collaborative efforts, provide electronic mail capabilities, and facilitate the submission and dissemination of data. Remote access to the NKI LAN is also available to all staff through Web-based VPN (Virtual Private Network) software.

Human Resource Expertise

Supplementing the hardware and software infrastructure, ISD has a unique and varied complement of human resources available to support research projects. The functional areas supported include:

• Database Development
• Information System Development
• Mathematical and Statistical Programming
• Technical Management
• Web Site Application Development

Innovative Clinical Research Solutions

Innovative Clinical Research Solutions (ICRS), the clinical trials management division of ISD, offers a suite of clinical study management systems and services expressly designed and developed to meet the needs of the clinical research community. With over thirty-five years experience with clinical trials, ICRS combines expertise in professional clinical study development, training, reporting and project management with the latest proven technologies. ICRS' customizable Acquire Electronic Data Capture system provides organizations and Principal Investigators with the tools critical to efficient study management and accurate data collection, while meeting Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) requirements.

For further information about the Computer and Information Sciences Facility, contact Mr. James Robinson at (845) 398-6506.