SPARC: A Multi-institutional Integrated Web Based Research Management System.

SPARC is a web-based research management system that integrates both research and routine clinical care work flows and has now been in operation at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) since March 1, 2012. The system provides a one-stop-shop to researchers for all service requests related to their research with a focus on billing compliance, proposal and budget development, and work fulfillment data collection. Upgrades and enhancements based on user feedback from institutions around the country include increased invoicing and billing functionality, clinical research visit and assessment tracking, and outcome assessment using grant and publication data links. System development leverages home grown and community open source components.