StartAhead
A workshop that helps us and you to evaluate where your data management stands, whether using our LinkAhead software will help you and whether working with us is a good idea.
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In this workshop, we bring all users of your research data together
to find out:
- who uses your data and how?
- what improvements are desired?
- what a solution could look like that works for everyone and saves effort?
What specific things are we doing for you:
1. Analyze your specific data management requirements.
2. Evaluate possible solutions for these data management requirements.
3. We design concrete applications for LinkAhead, in particular for connecting to existing systems and automating data integration.
The StartAhead package includes:
- Content preparation.
- A workshop of up to 3 hours.
- The preparation of the detailed report.
- A second meeting to discuss the report (about 1 hour).
What does it cost?
We offer the StartAhead package for 1100€, or for 1800€ if you require an extended workshop and final meeting of 5 plus 2 hours (plus 19% VAT in each case).
And best of all: these costs are fully deductible against future data management services by IndiScale.
After prior consultation with you, IndiScale will conduct a workshop remotely via video conference (or on site if desired) in which the points listed above will be worked out together. Depending on the individual requirements, a data model is also designed that can be implemented in data management software such as LinkAhead.
Following the workshop, IndiScale prepares a detailed report with recommendations for action and a recommended data model, if this was part of the workshop. The report is handed over digitally (as a PDF file) and, if desired, by post, and presented and discussed in a second meeting.
Mail:
Tel: +49 551 288 76 48 – 0
Structured Data Workshop
Handling data is an essential part of everyday work in science.
However, what are best practices, typical mistakes, and applicable regulations?
In our data-management workshop, participants will not only learn the answers to these questions, but will also be able to experience hands-on how the open-source research data management software LinkAhead can help them. We avoid dry theory and in the spirit of “bring-your-own-data”, we focus on producing results that will continue being useful after the workshop. For example, you retain access to your LinkAhead instance used in the workshop, hosted by the GWDG.
What will you learn?
- What regulations do I need to comply with?
- Documenting metadata in a FAIR way
- Automating quality checks with LinkAhead
- Increasing findability of your data with LinkAhead
- Publishing data: Where and How
What can you expect?
Make the most out of the workshop and bring your own data set. The presentation of theoretical concepts are interwoven with parts where participants apply them to their own situation and data. We complement the often taught goals (like “Document all necessary metadata!”) with easy-to-follow implementation suggestions. In other words, we also tell you how to do it! Benefit from the fact that our team has the experience of providing and supporting the data management of of many research institutes.
What do you gain?
Neben einem vertieften Verständnis für Datenmanagement:
- Apart from a deepened understanding about data management:
- At least one of your data sets will be FAIR
- A clear template how to make your data FAIR
- A data model that represents your data
- A LinkAhead instance with your data model and data hosted by the GWDG
Who should participate?
This workshop is for everyone who works with research data. However the content is streamlined for PhD students and early-career researchers. Since many modern ideas and tools are presented the workshop might also be of interest to many experienced scientists.
Further Information
- The workshop can be done at your institute or remotely.
- Recommended duration: two days (4x 3h)
- Introductory format: one day (2x 3h)
- Extension workshops for more in depth training are available
Prerequisites
Only the very basics, no concern for any young researcher or experienced scientist.
Mail:
Tel: +49 551 288 76 48 – 0
Support for LinkAhead
AND BEYOND
Reliable software and workflows are essential for an efficient working environment. We will support your data management workflows based on LinkAhead to Service Level Agreements of your choice. This involves priority support via email and phone, as well as regular video calls to keep in touch with you and your user experience.
Training: LinkAhead and data management
You and your team will get to know the LinkAhead environment step by step in one-day training sessions (beginner & advanced). Our experts guide you through relevant use cases and you train in practical lessons how to get the most out of LinkAhead. We get you ready for routine use in daily practice.
Depending on your use cases, we suggest training sessions for:
– Everyday use of LinkAhead: Learn about data models, how to efficiently use the web interface, about LinkAhead’s simple yet powerful searching possibilities, and how to import and export data.
– Dive into your data: LinkAhead is more than just data and a web site. Learn how to automate your data management tasks with Python, integrate data sources automatically with the crawler framework and how to extend LinkAheads capabilities.
– Behind the scenes: Setting up user authentication, file system integration and automatic backup strategies will make you and your system administrators fit for common and rare challenges.
If you want to go more into the depths of data management, our Structured Data workshop combines generic data management topics with an hands-on introduction to LinkAhead.
Education: Get started with agile software projects
Training: First Steps with Agile Software Projects
Are you starting your own software project, or do you want to bring an existing project to a more professional level? Make use of our expertise in software development and server administration and take part in an intensive, hands-on training course.
Many researchers develop their own software as part of their projects, but often lack the time and support to bring these tools to a professional, scalable level. We show you how to improve code quality, collaboration workflows, and deployment practices so that your research software becomes a solid foundation for spin-offs and commercialization.
What you will learn
In this training, you will get to know the fundamentals of agile software development and apply them directly in an example project. Topics include, among others:
- Agile ways of working with Scrum and Kanban (backlog, sprints, daily stand-ups, reviews, retrospectives)
- Version control with GitLab: repositories, branching strategies, merge requests
- Continuous Integration: setting up a pipeline, automated builds and tests
- Unit tests: writing and running simple tests for quality assurance
- Release cycles: planning versions, changelogs, handling bugs
- Licenses: choosing and using open-source licenses for your projects
This gives you a structured overview of modern agile software development and introduces you to proven practices that are used in real-world projects.
How the training is structured
The training is centered around one continuous example project, such as developing a small web application. Using this project, you will learn step by step:
Project kickoff & planning
Writing requirements as user stories, building and prioritizing a product backlog, planning the first sprint with clear goals.
Working with GitLab
Creating a Git repository, setting up feature branches, working with merge requests including simple code reviews.
Setting up Continuous Integration
Configuring a CI pipeline that automatically runs unit tests and builds a runnable package on each commit.
Testing in practice
Writing unit tests for core functions of the example application, interpreting failing tests and incrementally improving the code.
Creating and publishing a release
Assigning a version number, creating a changelog, preparing a “release candidate”, and optionally deploying it to a test server (e.g. using a Docker container).
Between the practical exercises, we explain the underlying principles of agile methods, highlight common pitfalls, and give tips for introducing agile ways of working in your own team.
Who is this training for?
- Individuals who want to start their first software project
- Teams that want to set up an existing project in a more structured and agile way
- Beginners in GitLab, CI, and automated testing
Prior programming experience is helpful but not strictly required – we adapt the pace and depth to your existing knowledge.
If you have any questions or are interested, please contact us at:
Mail:
Tel: +49 551 288 76 48 – 0
