Development of an Advanced Engineering Data Discovery and Search Platform

Research engineers face difficulties in efficiently locating authoritative, validated technical data and engineering resources amid an overwhelming proliferation of information sources. Existing search methods are limited in scope and precision, leading to extended research times and potential operational inefficiencies, especially when seeking specific data points, equations, or technical insights related to complex engineering phenomena such as material fatigue or thermodynamics.

A mid-sized engineering research organization seeking to enhance access to comprehensive technical reference content and improve data discovery capabilities to support complex engineering analysis.

• Develop a comprehensive engineering research platform that consolidates technical content from multiple providers, ensuring faster and more accurate access to essential data and resources.
• Implement advanced search capabilities with refined algorithms to enable precise, data-related queries, allowing engineers to narrow results and find relevant equations, graphs, and validated data efficiently.
• Design a personalized user experience through customization features, enabling users to tailor their interface and workflows for increased productivity.
• Adopt an iterative, user-centric design process involving real user testing and feedback to refine platform features and usability.
• Improve platform accessibility and usability for both experienced and inexperienced users, reducing time-to-answer for complex engineering questions.

• Multi-source content integration from over 140 technical providers
• Advanced, refined search algorithms for precise data retrieval (e.g., pinpointing specific data points like material fatigue data)
• Data filtering and narrowing tools for targeted results
• User personalization features such as MyWorkspace or similar, for saving searches, data sets, and preferences
• Iterative feedback mechanisms for continuous interface refinement based on user testing
• Prototyping and beta testing capabilities with real user feedback sessions
• Responsive design for accessibility across devices

• Content provider APIs for sourcing technical references and data
• User authentication and authorization systems
• Feedback collection and analytics tools
• Existing internal user management systems

• Scalable architecture capable of handling increased data sources and user load
• Search response times below 2 seconds for targeted queries
• High availability with 99.9% uptime
• Robust security to protect proprietary technical data and user information

The new platform aims to significantly reduce research and data retrieval times, improving engineer productivity and decision-making accuracy. Expected outcomes include faster identification of relevant technical data, enhanced user satisfaction with tailored experiences, and increased resource utilization efficiency—leading to a measurable reduction in operational downtime and an improved ability to address complex engineering challenges more effectively.