New Statistical Algorithms for the Analysis of Mass - FU Berlin, FB MI ...

6.2. CASE STUDIES 153
6.2 Case Studies
6.2.1 Software as a Service: Using the Web Based Platform
Services
This section describes the main concept of the proteomics.net platform: host,
operate and provide algorithms that can be used over the internet with userspecific
data. We will give a brief example in the proteomics context that
shows the benefits of this concept for an user that does not have the needed
IT infrastructure to solve a particular problem. It is generally suited for users
that have little interest or capability in software deployment, but do have
substantial computing needs.
Background
Performing an arbitrary data analysis requires of course (1) the data to be analyzed
and (2) a suitable analysis algorithm (computer program). Often there
arise problems concerning (2): installing, maintaining and running a software
package is not always a trivial task. Problems like insufficient hardware (e.g.
memory) or an incompatible software platform (e.g. operating system or libraries)
can render the use of a particular software impossible.
Our Approach: Software as a Service
With the proteomics.net platform we have chosen to provide our algorithms
using the Software as a Service (SaaS) approach. This means, that the algorithms
are hosted on our IT infrastructure and can be used through a web
based user interface. To give an example we briefly sketch the steps a user
needs to execute to perform a peak picking analysis (as described in section
3.4:
1. Open the platform’s web portal in a web browser
2. Log into the platform (Figure 6.1(a))
3. Upload the data to be analyzed (e.g. by FTP)
4. Start a new peak picking analysis (figure 6.1(b))
5. Select the dataset and parameter-set to be used (figure 6.2(a))
6. Assign a name and description (Figure 6.2(b))
7. Start the analysis
After the peak picking analysis is finished the results will be available for
inspection, further usage or export/download. Note that the results are automatically
� archived in the system
� linked to the raw data the peak picking was performed on
� linked to the parameter-set used
Note that the data analysis is automatically scheduled to the best matching
computing ressources available.