The Animal Research Care Hub (ARCH) project team is making steady progress toward a planned Go-Live this fall. As 2026 gets underway, the team is configuring the platform, taking a-tune’s out-of-the-box product, tick@lab, and aligning the content with the University of Minnesota’s comparative medicine program. They are also working to digitize documents and forms, standardize workflows via role-focused working groups, and are collaborating with research subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure the system is practical and effective for all users. In parallel, the Office of Research Information Systems (ORIS) is integrating ARCH with eProtocol, PeopleSoft, and Training Hub, while assessing other possible built-in integrations, including Transnetyx Quick Order, the AALAS Learning Library, and the CITI Program.
2026 Project Timeline
As the ARCH project moves into 2026, the focus will shift to workflow validation, testing, and training activities, building on the configuration efforts currently underway.
Early 2026 - Configuration and Integration: Finalizing workflows, validating configuration decisions, completing integration development and technical setups with vendors and ORIS, and preparing environments and data needed for testing activities.
Summer 2026 - Testing and Validation: Conducting system testing and user acceptance testing, incorporating feedback into final configuration, developing ARCH training materials, and finalizing the end-user training approach.
Fall 2026 - Go-Live: Coordinated, enterprise-wide launch of ARCH, delivering improvements in enhanced communications, visibility, efficiency, data consistency, and user experience by consolidating fragmented and manual tools and processes into a single, accessible platform.
Post Launch: Stabilization support and issue mitigation, ongoing system optimization, project closeout activities, and sunsetting RAR legacy systems.
How Research Teams Can Prepare
To ensure your lab is prepared for the transition, please complete the following:
- Update lab contacts: If you have not done so already, complete the Researcher Primary Contact and Species Submission Form.
- Stay informed: Visit arch.umn.edu for detailed project information and FAQs.
- Provide feedback: Send questions and concerns to the ARCH project team at [email protected]
Throughout 2026, the project team will continue to monitor progress and communicate updates as timelines and milestones are confirmed. This phased approach is designed to support a successful Go-Live, strong user adoption, and long-term sustainability of the ARCH platform.