I know that this question is asked about every month or so, but has anyone
recently reviewed the commercial research administration software available.
We are currently using a home-grown integrated database suite which tracks
proposals/awards, investigators (all faculty), IRB protocols, IACUC protocols,
protocols using hazardous substances and protocols utilizing rDNA, but we are
now in need of either doing a major upgrade of this system or purchasing a
new system. We looked at SPAS a while back and found it unacceptable.  We
have tried very hard to get information about ERA, but the people are very
uncooperative.  We cannot even get them to provide prices for their software
and its modules.  Has anyone used/seen ERA?  What does it cost?  Is it real
or is it vaporware?  GAMS is far out of our price range!

What would you do, if in our shoes - update or buy a "canned" package?

Doug Wilkerson, Ph.D.         Voice:    (419) 381-4252
Assoc. V.P. for Research      Fax:      (419) 381-4262
Professor of Pharmacology     E-Mail:   xxxxxx@gemini.mco.edu
Medical College of Ohio       Web:      http://www.mco.edu/research
3000 Arlington Ave.
Toledo, OH 43614