GDM Solutions
Providing an Industry Standard Software for Research

ATD Frequently Asked Questions

Can I benefit from ARM Trial Database?

Can I benefit from ARM Trial Database?

ATD can benefit a variety of users. The two categories of users that ATD is best suited for are:
  • individuals
  • small companies or groups of researchers
 
The following table outlines the features of ATD that best suit each category of user. 
 
Feature Individual Small Company
Create customized, multi-trial reports X X
Manage thousands of trials in one location X X
Install the database on a local machine X  
Install the database on a shared Windows Server X X
Backup data in a single file X X
Common trial repository for multi-user access   X
Import trials directly into ARM X X
Access files in the database from ST criteria
selection screen
X X
Auto-validation of trials (GEP/GLP) X X
Various permission levels for file access   X
 
 

Can I receive a demonstration version of ATD?

Can I receive a demonstration version of ATD?

GDM will not provide a demonstration version because it is essentially the finished SQL database. This requires communication to setup resulting in the finished product without a commitment to purchase.
 
Therefore, we can provide a live demonstration of a working ATD, along with a reviewal of the provided documentation.
 
ATD is a one-click approach to normalizing all of the data stored within ARM trial(s) so that other software packages have the ability to provide additional data analysis. ARM ST can easily run data summaries as ATD was built with this concept in mind. Please let GDM know the specific questions concerning ATD and we will surely answer them to the best of our abilities to ensure the purchase decision is the correct decision for your organization.
 
 

How much does ATD cost?

How much does ATD cost?

Please contact your GDM Representative for information on pricing and availability.
  • ATD requires the most current ARM and ARM ST version.
  • Tiered pricing system based on number of ARM licensees exporting to the database.
  • Also available is an Access ATD database, with a Microsoft-imposed limitation of 2 GB storage, or approximately 2000 trials per database.
  • ATD support and updates are provided through a required annual maintenance fee.
 
 

Will ATD work with an existing database?

Will ATD work with an existing database?

If you have an existing system, ATD may still be beneficial, depending on your specific situation.
 
Contact your GDM Representative to see what ATD can specifically do for you to supplement your existing system. 
 
 

What are the system requirements for ATD?

What are the system requirements for ATD?

  • Required to install ATD database on a server running Microsoft SQL Server 2012 or newer.
  • Must be Windows operating system.
  • Memory, CPU, and Disk Space would be at the discretion of the client unless the ATD was a Global ATD with an ARM service processing the incoming ARM data files. Further details can be provided by GDM in that case.
 

How secure is ATD?

How secure is ATD?

Since the organization hosts and manages the ATD, security considerations are implemented based upon the organizations guidelines and requirements.
  • The ATD database is password protected, but not encrypted.
  • The individual study files (.prt0 and .dat0) ARM creates are independent of ATD and are binary files which cannot be open in generic editors. ARM simply connects to the database from the individual software installation of the researcher’s device.
  • The database administrator can control encryption from within the SQL Server Management tools.
  • GDM will not require access to the ATD at any point unless support and permissions have been provided to GDM, which is controlled by the administrator of the ATD within the organization.
 

Will others outside of the organization have access to export to the ATD?

Will others outside of the organization have access to export to the ATD?

Only if the organization desires so. If this would be of benefit, many methods can be implemented to make this possible and would require additional in-depth conversation with GDM to implement. Organizations are increasingly moving towards a system to capture data from contracted organizations to receive real-time data.
 

How much setup time and effort is required so ARM can communicate with ATD?

How much setup time and effort is required so ARM can communicate with ATD?

GDM will deliver a SQL script to create the tables that ARM fills. It takes only minutes for the database administer to install the script. GDM also provides a small installation package that installs the connection and mapping files between ARM and ATD for the individual ARM installations.
 

How much time/effort is required on our end to maintain ATD?

How much time/effort is required on our end to maintain ATD?

Periodically, GDM will provide scripts to update the ATD database tables based upon changes to the ARM software, such as if new GDMdef fields are added or if the length changes. The implementation of the updated scripts takes only minutes to install.
 

Can I use other software or reporting services with ATD?

Can I use other software or reporting services with ATD?

Yes, any program with the ability to link to an SQL database can link to ATD. This includes the ability to add additional tables or views to the ATD database (but care must be taken to not alter the original tables!).
 
There are also no restrictions on reporting service connections - any other program can access the data stored in ATD, provided that is has been given access to the database.
 

Can I create my own data tables and queries?

Can I create my own data tables and queries?

Yes, you are free to add additional objects, such as queries or their own tables to the database, as long as the GDM-provided tables are not modified.
 
If modification to the design of the GDM provided tables occurs, whether to the name, field names, field types or lengths, the ATD connection will be interrupted and will no longer work.
 

What authentication mode or method is used to access ATD?

What authentication mode or method is used to access ATD?

Mixed Authentication Mode.
 

Didn't find an answer to your question?

 
Please send your questions using the Write to Us form, and the questions are sent to your GDM Representative for answers.