IMS caBIG® Methodology and Experience

IMS designs and develops systems in a variety of languages including C/C++, Java, J2EE, PHP, Python, and Django. These systems are implemented on Windows-based PCs, Linux and UNIX workstations, the Web, PDAs, the CIT mainframes, and Macintosh computers. IMS has extensive experience using database management systems, such as Postgres, Oracle, Sybase, and Access. IMS utilizes a wide variety of open source software, such as Java, Appache Tomcat, Linux, J2EE, JBoss, DJango, Postgres, and Subversion. Contact us at caBIGSupportServices@imsweb.com for further information.

IMS provides support in all phases of systems development including analysis, design, implementation, testing, documentation, distribution, training, and maintenance. All systems development is performed according to the IMS Software Development Life Cycle Guidelines. IMS typically utilizes an incremental approach to systems development. An incremental approach involves managing a stream of executable releases, with each new release embodying incremental improvements over the other. Proper systems analysis and design leads to the efficient implementation of applications that will fully meet the needs of caBIG®. IMS utilizes open source software, such as Java and Postgres, whenever feasible.

IMS has over 35 years of experience in providing expert biomedical information technology support to the NCI and other biomedical research organizations. This experience has grown and evolved over time to meet the fast-paced changes in information technology. IMS has embraced these new challenges and participated in the design and development of cutting edge solutions for our clients. This includes participation in the development of the caBIG approaches to information sharing and the adoption of caBIG tools.

IMS is an active participant in the caBIG® community through the Workspaces and the associated Special Interest Groups (SIGs). This involvement has consisted of participation in the group conference calls, face-to-face meetings, training opportunities, and the caBIG® annual meeting. As a participant in the TBPT workspace, IMS has been involved with the development of the Common Biorepository Model. This caBIG® data model is intended to assist in the discovery of specimen resources across disparate specimen databases. The model can be used by commercial vendors to allow data sharing using a caBIG® data model.

IMS has also developed a biological specimen repository management system (BSI). IMS has certified a BSI Web services application at the caBIG® Bronze level. This application extracts and publishes specimen data using caBIG® CDEs. In addition, the BSI Web services application complies with the caBIG® Silver compatibility guidelines.

IMS also contributes by investigating the adoption or development of systems and tools related to caBIG® initiatives. IMS has experience in the design and development of systems for standardized data collection, data migration, data editing, data analysis, and cancer registry operations for the NCI. IMS is also experienced in developing validated systems that are CFR Part 11 compliant.