The Finder helps you choose between the University’s recommended research data storage and management systems. Use it to filter, select and compare the services you want to learn more about. See more information on key selection considerations at choosing data management and storage systems.
Depending on your specific research context, you may require different systems for different phases of your project or multiple solutions to satisfy all your project workflows e.g., one for computational analysis and another for external sharing or long-term retention. Contact us via ServiceNow if you have complex requirements or need further assistance.
Answer these questions to filter solutions suitable for your needs. If you are uncertain, leave the question blank to maximise your options.
| Attica | 47,48,49,50,51,54,55,66 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Very long term storage (e.g., 5+ years) of data that you no longer need to actively access</li>\r\n<li>Can be used to meet compliance obligations for research data retention</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Records Managed SharePoint, Preservica'} | Securely store and retain inactive research data on this cloud-hosted platform. | <ul> <li>Very long term storage (e.g., 5+ years) of data that you no longer need to actively access</li> <li>Can be used to meet compliance obligations for research data retention</li> </ul> | Records Managed SharePoint, Preservica |
| DaRIS | 47,48,49,51,52,53,54,55,56,59,60,62,63 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Pre-processing and analysis of imaging data (e.g., DICOM files), including conversion to other file formats and curation into specific directories</li>\r\n<li>Able to integrate with both research instruments and research computing infrastructure</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Mediaflux'} | Store and manage your bio-medical imaging data acquired from imaging scanners. | <ul> <li>Pre-processing and analysis of imaging data (e.g., DICOM files), including conversion to other file formats and curation into specific directories</li> <li>Able to integrate with both research instruments and research computing infrastructure</li> </ul> | Mediaflux |
| figshare | 47,49,51,52,53,54,55,63,64 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Publish supporting research data set(s) when discipline-specific repositories are not available</li>\r\n<li>Make data sets available for public or mediated access</li>\r\n<li>Mint Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to enable citation of data outputs </li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Omeka, digital data repositories'} | Publish research data, supplementary materials, and other non-traditional research outputs. | <ul> <li>Publish supporting research data set(s) when discipline-specific repositories are not available</li> <li>Make data sets available for public or mediated access</li> <li>Mint Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to enable citation of data outputs </li> </ul> | Omeka, digital data repositories |
| GitLab | 47,49,51,52,53,54,58,62 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Collaborate with others on text-based files and code</li>\r\n<li>Develop software, websites, scripts and applications</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Github, Bitbucket'} | Store, manage and share your code throughout the software development lifecycle. | <ul> <li>Collaborate with others on text-based files and code</li> <li>Develop software, websites, scripts and applications</li> </ul> | Github, Bitbucket |
| Kaltura Video Management System | 47,49,51,52,54,55,60,63,64 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Create, curate, share and/or publish multimedia collections via a media hosting and sharing platform</li>\r\n<li>Automatically transcribe video recordings</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Mediaflux, Youtube, Vimeo, Echo360'} | Create, share and manage video data and collections. | <ul> <li>Create, curate, share and/or publish multimedia collections via a media hosting and sharing platform</li> <li>Automatically transcribe video recordings</li> </ul> | Mediaflux, Youtube, Vimeo, Echo360 |
| LabArchives | 47,48,49,51,52,53,57,62,63 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Maintain a digital copy of a laboratory or research notebook</li>\r\n<li>Create and maintain research records for research integrity purposes</li>\r\n<li>Supervisors can maintain oversight of the research activities within their group</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'All electronic research or laboratory notebooks, OneNote, Evernote'} | Store, organise and share research data and records on this cloud-based Electronic Research Notebook. | <ul> <li>Maintain a digital copy of a laboratory or research notebook</li> <li>Create and maintain research records for research integrity purposes</li> <li>Supervisors can maintain oversight of the research activities within their group</li> </ul> | All electronic research or laboratory notebooks, OneNote, Evernote |
| Mediaflux | 47,48,49,51,52,53,54,55,56,59,60,62,63 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Storage and management of research data, including high volumes and large file numbers</li>\r\n<li>Apply detailed metadata schema to the data</li>\r\n<li>Automated data transfer from research instruments/platforms</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Network File Share, Kaltura, Local file storage, DaRiS'} | Securely store, curate and share research data with research collaborators. | <ul> <li>Storage and management of research data, including high volumes and large file numbers</li> <li>Apply detailed metadata schema to the data</li> <li>Automated data transfer from research instruments/platforms</li> </ul> | Network File Share, Kaltura, Local file storage, DaRiS |
| Melbourne Research Cloud | 47,49,51,52,53,54,55,56,59,61 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Set up and deploy web applications</li>\r\n<li>Develop and test GPU or machine learning pipelines</li>\r\n<li>Perform complex computational or data processing tasks</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Researcher Desktop, Research Server, Nectar, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform'} | Access on-demand computing resources on a University-hosted cloud platform. | <ul> <li>Set up and deploy web applications</li> <li>Develop and test GPU or machine learning pipelines</li> <li>Perform complex computational or data processing tasks</li> </ul> | Researcher Desktop, Research Server, Nectar, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform |
| Network File Share (Research-NAS) | 47,48,49,51,52,54,55,56,62,63 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Access, analyse and process research data, including high volumes and large file numbers, stored on a drive synced to your local device</li>\r\n<li>This is a better alternative to storing data directly on your local device</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Mediaflux, Local file storage'} | Store and manage your research data on the University’s networked file share. | <ul> <li>Access, analyse and process research data, including high volumes and large file numbers, stored on a drive synced to your local device</li> <li>This is a better alternative to storing data directly on your local device</li> </ul> | Mediaflux, Local file storage |
| Omeka | 47,49,51,52,55,63,64 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Make data sets available for public or mediated access</li>\r\n<li>Create a website or blog to communicate research findings and outputs, or to conduct participant or community engagement</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Figshare, Wordpress, Medium and other custom website publishing platforms'} | Publish digital collections and create media-rich online exhibits. | <ul> <li>Make data sets available for public or mediated access</li> <li>Create a website or blog to communicate research findings and outputs, or to conduct participant or community engagement</li> </ul> | Figshare, Wordpress, Medium and other custom website publishing platforms |
| OneDrive | 47,48,49,51,52,53,55,57,58,60,62 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Alternative mechanism to storing research data on your local device</li>\r\n<li>Access data/files on your local computer (via syncing capability) with additional benefits e.g., back up, version control</li>\r\n<li>Not recommended for the storage of data/files that require frequent access and use by other individuals or teams. Use SharePoint instead.</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'SharePoint/Teams, Google Drive, Dropbox, Cloudstor, Local file storage, Network file share/drive'} | Securely store, manage, and share your research data on this University-supported cloud-based platform. | <ul> <li>Alternative mechanism to storing research data on your local device</li> <li>Access data/files on your local computer (via syncing capability) with additional benefits e.g., back up, version control</li> <li>Not recommended for the storage of data/files that require frequent access and use by other individuals or teams. Use SharePoint instead.</li> </ul> | SharePoint/Teams, Google Drive, Dropbox, Cloudstor, Local file storage, Network file share/drive |
| Qualtrics | 47,48,49,50,51,52,53,58,65 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Create advanced surveys that require features such as timed responses, priorisation and ranking</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'REDCap, Survey Monkey, Google Forms, Microsoft Forms'} | Securely collect, analyse and export survey data from research participants. | <ul> <li>Create advanced surveys that require features such as timed responses, priorisation and ranking</li> </ul> | REDCap, Survey Monkey, Google Forms, Microsoft Forms |
| Records Managed SharePoint | 47,49,51,52,55,57,62,66 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Curate, store and manage research data and records with permanent or temporary value in MS Office and PDF formats, e.g., consent forms, transcripts or analysis spreadsheets</li>\r\n<li>Collaboratively edit MS Office files in real time with other UoM staff</li>\r\n<li>Manage the retention and disposal of your research data and records in line with regulatory requirements</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Attica, SharePoint'} | UoM staff can curate, store and manage research data and records using this secure cloud-based platform. | <ul> <li>Curate, store and manage research data and records with permanent or temporary value in MS Office and PDF formats, e.g., consent forms, transcripts or analysis spreadsheets</li> <li>Collaboratively edit MS Office files in real time with other UoM staff</li> <li>Manage the retention and disposal of your research data and records in line with regulatory requirements</li> </ul> | Attica, SharePoint |
| REDCap | 47,48,49,50,51,52,53,58,63,65 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Create and collect data from participants using surveys</li>\r\n<li>Capture structured data with field validation and reporting features</li>\r\n<li>Conduct longitudinal studies and clinical trials with automated reminders to participants</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Qualtrics, Survey Monkey, Google Forms, Microsoft Forms, Databases, Clinical Trial Management Systems'} | Securely capture, manage and export data from research participants. | <ul> <li>Create and collect data from participants using surveys</li> <li>Capture structured data with field validation and reporting features</li> <li>Conduct longitudinal studies and clinical trials with automated reminders to participants</li> </ul> | Qualtrics, Survey Monkey, Google Forms, Microsoft Forms, Databases, Clinical Trial Management Systems |
| Researcher Desktop | 47,49,51,55,56,59,61 | {'use_case': "<ul>\r\n<li>Establish a virtual machine to process and analyse data beyond your local computer's capabilities</li>\r\n<li>Run remote and uninterrupted short-term computational and specialised tasks</li>\r\n<li>Access additional computational capacity with ease. For individual access and use only</li>\r\n</ul>", 'similar_services': 'Research Server, Melbourne Research Cloud, Nectar, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform'} | Leverage a powerful and fully configured virtual computer to perform complex computational analyses. | <ul> <li>Establish a virtual machine to process and analyse data beyond your local computer's capabilities</li> <li>Run remote and uninterrupted short-term computational and specialised tasks</li> <li>Access additional computational capacity with ease. For individual access and use only</li> </ul> | Research Server, Melbourne Research Cloud, Nectar, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform |
| Research Server | 47,49,51,52,55,56,59,60,61 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Similar to the Researcher Desktop, but with access to even higher memory and computational resources</li> \r\n<li>Allows shared access by a research team or multiple collaborators</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Researcher Desktop, Melbourne Research Cloud, Nectar, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform'} | Leverage a customisable virtual computer with additional speciality capabilities, fast core instances, high core count instances and RAM. | <ul> <li>Similar to the Researcher Desktop, but with access to even higher memory and computational resources</li> <li>Allows shared access by a research team or multiple collaborators</li> </ul> | Researcher Desktop, Melbourne Research Cloud, Nectar, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform |
| Secure Research Environment | 47,48,49,50,51,52,54,55,59,61,62 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Collaborate with others using highly sensitive data</li> \r\n<li>Process sensitive data to remove identifiers and then export desensitised data or outputs</li>\r\n<li>When governed oversight of data processing is required e.g., by data providers</li>\r\n<li>When a system that has been formally assessed or certified against a recognised industry standard is required</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'SURE, ERICA, SeRP, MIDL, ABS DataLab, other trusted research environments'} | Securely store, process and analyse sensitive research data on this isolated, on-premises virtual platform. | <ul> <li>Collaborate with others using highly sensitive data</li> <li>Process sensitive data to remove identifiers and then export desensitised data or outputs</li> <li>When governed oversight of data processing is required e.g., by data providers</li> <li>When a system that has been formally assessed or certified against a recognised industry standard is required</li> </ul> | SURE, ERICA, SeRP, MIDL, ABS DataLab, other trusted research environments |
| SharePoint | 47,48,49,51,52,53,55,57,58,62,63 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Collaboratively edit MS Office files in real time with other individuals</li>\r\n<li>Access data/files on your local computer (via syncing capability) with additional benefits e.g., back up, version control</li>\r\n<li>Coordinate and manage large research projects or collaborations via integration with other Office 365 products e.g., Microsoft Teams</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Google Drive, Dropbox, Cloudstor, Local file storage, Online websites or repositories'} | Securely store, manage, and share your research data on this University-provided and supported cloud-based storage platform. | <ul> <li>Collaboratively edit MS Office files in real time with other individuals</li> <li>Access data/files on your local computer (via syncing capability) with additional benefits e.g., back up, version control</li> <li>Coordinate and manage large research projects or collaborations via integration with other Office 365 products e.g., Microsoft Teams</li> </ul> | Google Drive, Dropbox, Cloudstor, Local file storage, Online websites or repositories |
| Spartan - High Performance Computing | 47,49,51,52,54,55,56,59,61 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Efficiently perform complex computational or parallel processing tasks with big data</li>\r\n<li>Access shared large datasets, specialist analysis software, GPU and high memory resources</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Nectar, Pawsey, NCI'} | Access supercomputing power to process big data and perform computationally intensive tasks. | <ul> <li>Efficiently perform complex computational or parallel processing tasks with big data</li> <li>Access shared large datasets, specialist analysis software, GPU and high memory resources</li> </ul> | Nectar, Pawsey, NCI |
| Amazon Web Services | 47,49,51,52,53,54,55,56,59,61 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Set up and deploy web applications</li>\r\n<li>Develop and test GPU or machine learning pipelines</li>\r\n<li>Perform computing tasks at specific times or intervals</li>\r\n<li>Process or analyse extremely large datasets hosted outside the University of Melbourne</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'Melbourne Research Cloud, Researcher Desktop, Research Server, Nectar, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform'} | Access a suite of cloud computing resources, including machine learning and artificial intelligence tools, provided at a subsidised cost to users. | <ul> <li>Set up and deploy web applications</li> <li>Develop and test GPU or machine learning pipelines</li> <li>Perform computing tasks at specific times or intervals</li> <li>Process or analyse extremely large datasets hosted outside the University of Melbourne</li> </ul> | Melbourne Research Cloud, Researcher Desktop, Research Server, Nectar, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform |
| FileSender | 47,49,52,53,54,55,60 | {'use_case': '<ul>\r\n<li>Send files to research collaborators, including those external to the University of Melbourne. This is an alternative mechanism to sharing data of files via email</li>\r\n</ul>', 'similar_services': 'N/A'} | Share large files securely with research collaborators. | <ul> <li>Send files to research collaborators, including those external to the University of Melbourne. This is an alternative mechanism to sharing data of files via email</li> </ul> | N/A |
The design of this tool is based on the Data Storage Finder developed by Cornell University Research Data Management Service Group and Cornell Information Technologies Custom Development Group (2018).