System Overview

The PopMedNet™ application (PMN) is comprised of two separate components, the Portal website and the DataMart Client. The Portal (there is one Portal per Network) is the starting point for all information requests and controls all system communications, security, and governance policies. Data partners receive queries, process them, and securely return them to the Portal via their local DataMart* Client. There is exactly one Portal in the network and each network data partner can have one or more DataMarts. All query requests and communications within the network are securely routed from the Portal to the DataMarts Client and then back to the Portal. The reference material provides additional details on the querying process.

 To participate in a network, data partners must:

1. Install and configure the DataMart Client on one or more local computers or servers
2. Assign one or more staff members as the DataMart Administrator(s) responsible for interacting with the system (via the DataMart Client and the Portal) on behalf of the data partner
3. Create data in a standard format and make it available for querying. 
4. Set DataMart preferences to establish settings, such as what data can be queried and who can submit queries to the DataMart

The DataMart Administrator or other staff members do not need any special information technology or computer expertise to install the software, manage the DataMart, or respond to distributed queries.

*The term “DataMart” is used in an information technology context referring to the place where the data are held for querying. Use of this term does not imply that data partner information is being sold or being made broadly available; data partners maintain control of all their data and all its uses.