Animal Research Care Hub (ARCH)

The Animal Research Care Hub (ARCH) is the University of Minnesota's new animal research vivarium management and electronic health record system. It replaces a paper-based, limited-access system with a digital, staff- and researcher-accessible platform. ARCH will help Research Animal Resources (RAR) staff, principal investigators (PIs), and other members of the research community to effectively manage animal care,  including transparency into animal use and associated processes, as well as direct access to animal health information and financial components using one centralized, secure system. ARCH will be implemented in partnership with a-tune using the tick@lab animal research facility software.
 

ARCH Goals

  • Increase transparency for researchers, including direct access to real-time information and shared ordering systems
  • Increase efficiency and streamline workflows for ordering, lab management, and compliance functions
  • Enhance communication among RAR staff, lab techs, PIs, and other research staff
  • Provide secure, centralized management of animal health records, research data, and processes
      

Implementation Roadmap and Timeline

The ARCH project kickoff is July 28, 2025 with an anticipated "Go Live" date of fall 2026. 

2025-26 Timeline: Kickoff, July 28, 2025. Solution Design, implement team and tech training. Configuration & Integration, environment set up and billing config. Acceptance & Transition to Prod, user acceptance testing, end user training, go live Fall 2026. Support & Proj Closure (sunset).

 

Focus Areas

Research Community Engagement

Each staff member will use ARCH in ways specific to their role and responsibilities. Inclusive input is essential to ensuring that the system meets everyone’s unique needs. We will seek feedback and incorporate input from all user groups throughout the process.

Data Collection

Data storage in ARCH differs from RAR's current census system. To ensure information within ARCH is accurate and functional, we will collect data from each lab specific to their colonies. This step will help to build a system that will enhance and support the entire UMN animal research community.

System Integration

ARCH will integrate with UMN single sign-on (Shibboleth), the University's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) system eProtocol, PeopleSoft HR and PeopleSoft Financials/EFS, Training Hub, and the vendor's AALAS/CITI Connector.

Communication and Change Management

Throughout the ARCH implementation, we will communicate regularly with key stakeholders, RAR staff, and research community members, providing updates on project milestones, training opportunities, and other opportunities for engagement. As we transition to ARCH, we'll ensure that community members have the information they need to successfully start using the new system.
 

View the July Animal Research Care Hub (ARCH) Kick Off Presentation >

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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What is ARCH?

The Animal Research Care Hub (ARCH) is a modern, unified software system designed for the University of Minnesota's animal research community. ARCH will streamline workflows within Research Animal Resources (RAR) and provide a centralized platform where researchers can manage animal colonies, order animals, and submit service requests—all in one place.

Who will have access to ARCH?

ARCH will be accessible to RAR, investigators, and laboratory staff. Users will log in using their University of Minnesota x500 ID and password.

What software company will be used?

After reviewing multiple options, we’ve selected the tick@lab software suite by a-tune, a subsidiary of Transnetyx. This platform is currently used by more than 100 world-renowned universities and serves over 50,000 users worldwide.

Why is this change necessary?

RAR currently relies on a limited-access census and billing system hosted on an outdated server and an animal record system that was designed for a clinical veterinary setting. In addition, many processes still rely on paper-based records or email communications, leading to inefficiencies and reduced transparency between RAR and research staff.

ARCH will address these issues by:

  • Enhancing visibility for lab staff
  • Improving communication between RAR and researchers
  • Offering a user-friendly colony management tool
  • Creating a more efficient and transparent workflow
     

How will you ensure that ARCH is functional for all RAR and research staff?

We have established a dedicated RAR ARCH implementation team, representing diverse roles across the department. Each team member contributes role-specific data, feedback, and expertise to guide the system’s development and configuration.

Additionally, we’ve identified research staff members who will serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) throughout the implementation process. Their insights are essential to aligning the system with the day-to-day needs of researchers and ensuring that ARCH effectively bridges gaps between RAR and the research community.