Case study

Scientific Research & Data

Modernizing a scientific research platform so complex geological data becomes easier to search, explore, visualize and reuse.

Web Application Development API Development & Integration BI & Data Analytics

aws postgresql openapiinitiative react leaflet

Home page of the scientific data platform with countries, samples and results counters

At a glance

Engagement: Targeted fixes first, then a wider modernization
First results: Requested fixes delivered within the first month
Platform: AWS, PostgreSQL, REST API, interactive map
Data: Open scientific data for a research consortium

Gallery

Large-scale scientific data platform

01 · The challenge

Data Hard to Find

Geological samples buried in a clumsy search.

The public academic website had originally been built by interns at Stanford and required significant fixes and modernization.

What we found

Cumbersome search
Finding and filtering geological samples took researchers far too long.
Legacy academic website
The public academic site needed significant fixes and modernization.
Limiting data structure
Infrastructure, database design and data flow held the platform back.
Hard to export
Researchers struggled to access and download the data they needed.

In detail

01
The platform was designed to provide access to academic geological data, but search and filtering for geological samples were cumbersome and the overall user experience needed to be more robust.
02
The initial request was targeted: fix search and filtering and make it easier for researchers to find, access and export the data they needed.
03
Behind the interface, the infrastructure, database organization and data flow also limited how useful and maintainable the platform could become.

02 · The solution

Search, Map and API

Improved search, added interactive mapping, and modernized the AWS infrastructure.

We first scoped and delivered the major fixes requested by the customer, including improvements to the landing page, content and navigation.

What we built

A scientific data platform with improved search, interactive mapping, and data access

Rebuilt search and filtering
Complex scientific logic narrows large datasets to focused results.
Stronger data structure
Source data brought in-house with an improved schema.
Interactive map
Sample locations, geological age and details, with downloads.
Modernized infrastructure
AWS hosting with more resources, for reliability and long-term use.

In detail

01
We then expanded the work into a broader modernization: source data was brought into the platform’s own database, and we improved the database design and schema to create a more organized and robust data structure.
02
Working with the customer, we rebuilt sample search and filtering around complex scientific logic so users could narrow large datasets to focused results more efficiently.
03
We modernized the AWS-hosted infrastructure, increased resources and strengthened the platform for better reliability and long-term use.
04
We added an interactive map where users can view sample locations, open detailed sample information, see geological age and access or download relevant data.

03 · The result

Research at Hand

Faster discovery, visualization and downloads.

The customer’s initial requested fixes and updates were completed within the first month.

What changed

Faster discovery
Researchers find and focus on the data relevant to their work.
One platform
Search, visualization and detailed information in one place.
Reliable infrastructure
Modernized AWS hosting with more resources and better security.
Built for expansion
A modernized platform designed for ongoing scientific research.

In detail

01
What began as a targeted repair project evolved into a wider modernization of the website, database, search experience and infrastructure.
02
Researchers can now search complex geological datasets more effectively, focus on the data relevant to their work, visualize sample locations and access detailed information from one platform.
03
The improved database structure, infrastructure, security, downloads, mapping and REST API integrations make the platform more robust and useful for ongoing scientific research.
04
The result is not simply a refreshed website, but a stronger scientific data platform built for continued use and expansion.

What the client says

In the client’s words

They listened carefully to our vision, understood our unique geological data structure, and translated it into exactly the website we wanted.

Scientific Research & Data

Our international geology consortium has no in-house web development team, and we needed a partner to build and maintain a website providing public access to our SQL database.
We have worked with Aionis for seven years, and they have been the perfect partners. They listened carefully to our vision, understood our unique geological data structure, and translated it into exactly the website we wanted.
They are always available to support both long-term structural improvements and urgent technical needs. Our working relationship has been straightforward, and I’m so glad we found such a reliable technology partner for our hosting needs!