Cloud-native Architecture
Context
The situation before the platform
Why a research technology provider needed one ecosystem instead of a survey tool, a spreadsheet and a manual rewards process.
| The business |
A technology provider serving organizations, researchers and healthcare professionals who collect real-time data from participants, using research methodologies such as Ecological Momentary Assessment and Experience Sampling Method. |
| The starting point |
Research workflows were complex and fragmented. Survey creation, participant tracking, scheduling, incentive distribution and compliance evidence sat in separate systems, so teams spent effort on administration rather than insight. |
| The trigger |
Connecting several external enterprise platforms while keeping data consistent and performance smooth, and doing it under HIPAA and GDPR obligations for sensitive healthcare and behavioural data. |
| What they wanted |
Not another survey tool, but a scalable ecosystem covering participant engagement, secure data collection, compliance management, integrations and automated incentive distribution in one place. |
| Constraints |
The interface had to stay simple for users of any age or technical background while supporting complex survey workflows · compliance had to run in the background without making the product feel heavy · the backend had to hold up with thousands of participants responding in real time and multiple integrations running at once. |
System
What it runs at today
The platform as delivered, live across web and mobile.
Accessibility compliance
98%
Coverage against WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines across the participant and administrator interfaces
Core capabilities
5
Live survey and data collection, auto incentives, enterprise integrations, secure compliance and research management
Engagement length
24+
Months, with a dedicated product team through launch and scaling
Team size
4+
Design, mobile, backend and QA across a full-stack product launch
The engineering problem
Four gaps that shaped the build from day one
Not vague pain points — the specific tensions in running compliant, real-time research at scale, each paired with what we did about it.
0
1
Several external platforms behaving as one system
Bringing multiple external platforms together was not just a technical task — it required coordination so everything worked as one unified system. Data had to stay consistent across enterprise tools, analytics platforms and cloud services without delays or mismatches, while the experience for participants and administrators stayed smooth and uninterrupted.
What we did
A flexible, scalable integration framework in the backend, so the platform connects to third-party tools and keeps performance steady even as survey operations grow more complex.
0
2
Rewarding participants without administrative overhead
Keeping participants engaged is often the hardest part of running surveys. The platform needed to reward users for timely participation without adding complexity for administrators, with an incentive model that stayed motivating, cost-effective and scalable as participant numbers grew.
What we did
A built-in system that automatically rewards participants for completing surveys on time, removing manual tracking and distribution, lifting response rates and reducing drop-offs and bias in the data.
0
3
Sensitive healthcare and behavioural data, held to global standards
The platform handles sensitive healthcare and behavioural data, so security and compliance were non-negotiable. Meeting HIPAA and GDPR while maintaining user trust meant strong encryption in transit and at rest, secure handling of participant records, and continuous monitoring for potential risks.
What we did
Compliance-driven architecture: strong authentication, encrypted data storage, role-based access control and real-time compliance checks that keep data handling aligned with regulatory requirements.
0
4
Complex survey workflows that never feel complex
The platform was designed for users from tech-savvy individuals to those with minimal digital experience. It had to feel simple and intuitive regardless of age or background, supporting complex survey workflows through a clean, responsive interface without overwhelming anyone.
What we did
A distraction-free interface aligned with WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines, responsive across devices, so participants focus on completing surveys rather than learning the product.
Architecture
How it fits together
Simplified — the shape rather than every service.
0
1
Clients
Swift · iOS · Kotlin · Android · React.js · Next.js · jQuery
Native mobile apps for iOS and Android alongside a React and Next.js web experience, so a participant can answer a prompt on a phone while a researcher runs the study from a desktop.
0
2
Gateway
Nest.js · API layer · Authentication · Role-based access control
A Nest.js API surface handles authentication and role-based access, so researchers, administrators and participants each reach only the data their role permits.
0
3
Services
Survey & scheduling · Participant management · Incentive automation · Compliance monitoring · Admin dashboard & analytics
Each function is its own concern, so scheduling, participant workflows, incentives, compliance checks and analytics can be tuned or extended without destabilising the others.
0
4
Data & infra
MongoDB · PostgreSQL · Node.js · AWS · AWS EC2
MongoDB and PostgreSQL hold survey, response and participant data, with Node.js services on AWS EC2 giving the platform headroom as response volumes and integrations grow.
Scalability was treated as an architectural requirement rather than a later optimisation: the backend was planned to absorb thousands of participants responding in real time and multiple integrations running simultaneously without slowing the experience.
Solutions
Six systems doing the actual work
Not a features list — the specific things we built behind every number above.
Smart real-time survey collection
Dynamic surveys powered by EMA and ESM methodologies capture responses as they happen, with automated scheduling, multiple question formats and live participant tracking.
Automated incentive management
Participants are rewarded automatically for completing surveys on time, removing manual tracking and distribution and cutting administrative workload.
Enterprise system integrations
Connections to Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Bloomberg, Salesforce and ServiceNow keep data flowing without switching systems or moving files by hand.
Compliance & security infrastructure
HIPAA and GDPR standards backed by strong encryption, continuous monitoring, a secure cloud setup and real-time compliance validation through Vanta.
Participant management system
A centralized system for tracking activity, communication and responses, so researchers coordinate a study without juggling several tools.
Admin dashboard & analytics
Administrators and researchers manage surveys, track participants, control scheduling and analyse results from one dashboard, making decisions faster and more data-driven.
Key features
What the platform does day to day
Five capabilities, each closing one of the gaps identified above.
| Capability | Runs | Refresh | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live survey & data | Scheduled & triggered | Real time | Captures participant insights through dynamic surveys, scheduling and EMA/ESM methods |
| Auto incentives | Automated | On completion | Rewards participants automatically to improve engagement and response rates while reducing manual effort |
| Enterprise integrations | Connected systems | Synchronized | Connects Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, Bloomberg and ServiceNow for joined-up workflows |
| Secure compliance | Always on | Continuous | Supports HIPAA and GDPR with encrypted storage, role-based access and continuous monitoring |
| Research management | Admin | Continuous | Centralizes surveys, participants, scheduling, analytics and study operations in one dashboard |
Integrations
How the moving parts plug in
Enterprise tools, compliance validation and cloud services reach the platform through one API layer rather than sitting beside it as separate tools.
Connected systems
Microsoft 365 & Google Workspace
Productivity and identity tooling
Salesforce & ServiceNow
Enterprise records and operations
Bloomberg
External data feeds
Vanta
Real-time compliance validation
↓
through one scalable integration framework ↓
Platform integration layer
Node.js & Nest.js API layer
One contract for every client
Auth & role-based access
Researchers, admins, participants
Encryption & monitoring
Data in transit and at rest
↓
into the core services ↓
Core services
Surveys
Scheduling
Participants
Incentives
Analytics & admin
Because scheduling, participant records, incentives and compliance evidence resolve against the same services, launching a study, rewarding responses and showing regulators how data was handled are steps in one workspace rather than three separate systems.
Security
What protects participant data
The platform handles sensitive healthcare and behavioural data — so protection was designed in from day one, not bolted on.
Encryption in transit and at rest
Strong encryption covers participant records and survey responses wherever they sit, with secure storage underpinning the whole data path.
Role-based access control
Strong authentication and role-based controls mean only authorized users reach specific data sets, across researchers, administrators and participants.
HIPAA & GDPR alignment
Real-time compliance checks keep data handling aligned with regulatory requirements, with validation through Vanta adding a further layer of assurance.
Secure, scalable cloud infrastructure
A secure AWS setup with continuous monitoring supports growing data volumes and complex operations while keeping performance and protection consistent.
Process
How we got there
Five stages, starting with how researchers and participants actually behave rather than a feature list.
0
1
Research-driven product development
Before writing code, the team studied how researchers work, how participants respond and where existing tools fall short, shaping a platform that stays practical rather than complex
0
2
User-first experience design
A clean, distraction-free interface so participants focus only on completing surveys, with every step from answering questions to receiving incentives designed to reduce friction.
0
3
Agile development & continuous iteration
Built step by step with regular feature testing, feedback and refinement, catching technical issues early and improving usability and integrations release by release.
0
4
Compliance-driven architecture
Strong authentication, encrypted storage, role-based access and real-time compliance monitoring implemented from day one rather than added at the end.
0
5
Scalable integration framework
A flexible backend designed for multiple integrations and rising data volumes, so scaling up did not cost speed, reliability or user experience.
Business impact
What changed for the business
Beyond the headline numbers, three things researchers and participants noticed first.
One research ecosystem
Fragmented research workflows became a single streamlined, secure and scalable digital experience covering surveys, participants, incentives, compliance and analytics.
Better data, not just more of it
Focusing on participant needs lifted engagement levels and produced more accurate real-time data, which is what turned survey volume into meaningful, actionable insight.
Less administration, more insight
Automated incentive distribution and centralized management cut manual effort, while built-in compliance support simplified adherence to strict regulations.
Commercial outcome
What the engineering choices are worth in operating terms
Every headline number traces back to a specific decision, not a vague platform effect.
| Engineering decision | Operating outcome | Measured effect |
|---|---|---|
| Scalable integration framework across enterprise tools | Enterprise data stays consistent without manual transfers between systems | 100% real-time synchronization |
| Compliance-driven architecture with continuous monitoring | Regulatory obligations handled in the background rather than at audit time | 98% HIPAA & GDPR coverage |
| Accessibility-optimized, distraction-free interface | Participants of any age or technical background complete surveys unaided | 98% WCAG 2.1 AA coverage |
| EMA/ESM survey engine with automated incentives | Responses captured in the moment, with fewer drop-offs and less bias | 95% engagement accuracy |
Stack
What it's built on
The actual technologies, not feature names with icons attached.
Frontend
- React.js
- Next.js
- jQuery
Mobile
- Swift
- Kotlin
Backend & data
- Node.js
- Nest.js
- MongoDB
- PostgreSQL
Cloud & integrations
- AWS
- AWS EC2
- Microsoft 365 · Google Workspace
- Salesforce · ServiceNow · Bloomberg
- Vanta
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