Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, this client has long been a hub for field-based scientific research. Every year, more than 600 researchers from around the world arrive at the station to conduct studies in ecology, climate science, and biodiversity. But while the lab’s research contributions to science are cutting-edge, its administrative logistics processes lacked the same innovation.
Managing researcher housing, dining, research applications, and billing was a time-consuming, manual process fraught with inefficiencies. Researchers often struggled with a fragmented system that required them to interact with multiple platforms for different needs—one for booking lodging, another for meal plans, yet another for submitting research applications. Staff, too, found themselves bogged down in administrative tasks, juggling spreadsheets, coordinating housing and field work requests and assignments, managing meal reservations, and tracking visitor involvement.
As the client looked ahead to expanding its operations over the next five years, it became clear that digital transformation was essential. The lab needed a single, centralized portal that could seamlessly integrate housing, dining, training, billing, and research logistics into a single access point. That’s where Sikich came in.
When the client issued a Request for Proposal (RFP), they knew they needed a technology partner with deep expertise in Salesforce Experience Cloud portals and a strong track record of implementing tailored solutions for organizations with complex operational needs. Sikich stood out.
From the very beginning, our team demonstrated a clear understanding of the client’s mission and unique challenges. We proposed a fully integrated researcher portal built on Salesforce, offering the flexibility and scalability that the client needed—not just to solve current issues, but to future-proof their operations as they expanded to increase the services and programs they offer. The lab’s team was particularly drawn to our hands-on approach, our deep knowledge of Salesforce Experience Cloud, and our expertise in building custom solutions that go beyond out-of-the-box functionality.
Once the partnership was established, the real work began.
Sikich worked closely with the lab to develop a customized, cloud-based solution that consolidated all critical operations into a single platform. The portal was designed to streamline every aspect of the researcher experience, from the moment they applied for grants to the time they checked out of their lodging at the end of the research season.
The biggest transformation was the move from fragmented, manual workflows to a seamless digital experience. The new portal enabled field researchers to:
On the administrative side, staff can now oversee housing assignments, financial transactions, and document approvals with ease, significantly reducing their workload and improving operational efficiency.
While the overall project was ambitious, one of the biggest challenges was creating a custom meal reservation system that could accommodate the client’s diverse research community. Unlike a standard dining setup, the lab needed a system that could handle various dietary needs, meal plans, and fluctuating reservations, particularly during peak research season.
Sikich developed a fully customized solution that allowed researchers to choose meals based on their dietary preferences, make changes as needed, and seamlessly integrate these selections with billing records. This ensured that meal planning was not only efficient but also flexible, improving the overall experience for researchers and staff alike.
Another key challenge was document management. Researchers frequently needed to submit, edit, and collaborate on documents such as emergency contact forms, research proposals, and grant applications. Customizing the document upload and categorization process has allowed staff to better manage submitted documents and effectively track projects submitted for peer review.
With the new portal in place, the client has achieved a fundamental shift in how they manage research logistics. What was once a tedious, disconnected process is now a streamlined, intuitive experience for both researchers and staff.
The impact has been significant:
But the benefits extend beyond the immediate improvements. With this scalable, cloud-based foundation, the lab is well-positioned to expand its platform to multiple locations in the coming years, confident that its digital infrastructure can support continued growth.
What set Sikich apart in this project wasn’t just our technical expertise—it was our commitment to understanding the client’s mission and designing a solution tailored to their specific needs. We didn’t just implement a standard software package; we built a system that reflected the unique workflows, challenges, and aspirations of a world-class research institution.
Through close collaboration, strategic problem-solving, and innovative use of Salesforce Experience Cloud, we delivered a modern, integrated platform that will serve the lab and its researchers for years to come. And as their operations continue to grow, our team remains a trusted partner, providing ongoing support and future enhancements to ensure their technology evolves alongside their mission.
For an organization dedicated to advancing scientific research, having a streamlined, digital-first administrative system is essential. Thanks to Sikich’s expertise and commitment to innovation, the client now has a centralized, scalable, and intuitive research logistics portal that has transformed the way they operate.
This project was more than just a technology upgrade. It was a strategic investment in the future of field-based research. And with Sikich by their side, the client is well-equipped to continue supporting groundbreaking scientific discoveries for years to come.