Roche Pharma (Schweiz) AG - Webpat II

„With the PatIS solution from iRIX, our users throughout the group have a reliable search tool at their disposal that is equipped with up-to-date search functionalities and is easy to use. The desired patent information is displayed quickly and in a clear manner or can be made available in the usual output formats.“

B.Rauber, Patent Attorney F. Hoffmann-La Roche

Initial situation
F. Hofmann-La Roche Pharma AG commissioned iRIX to expand the search functions for internal searches within the existing application for managing patents. Roche, the company with the most patent applications in Switzerland, has used the Basel-based software company for more than 20 years. iRIX had already developed a search application for Roche's patent department, offering an internal search in self-service mode. This first version of the solution deals with the search and display of Roche patent information worldwide. At the beginning of 2010, the Roche patent department wanted an extension of this application.

Challenge
The user interface was to be modernised with an ergonomic layout of the navigation and access for internal employees worldwide without a licence model via two user security levels. A targeted, system-independent retrieval of individual patent information and an expansion of the reporting and search functions with storage of search queries were desired. The search results were to be filtered in a simple way - in order to arrive at a manageable list with just a few clicks - and it was to be possible to flexibly integrate new data sources.

Solution
The second version of the patent application is now in use and offers the following functionality: The application runs as a web application in various browsers. A loading process enables data to be provided without interruption with a freely selectable cycle of updating the patent data. The operation and all navigation features have been designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. Search queries can be saved and managed by users and reporting can be easily exported to Excel and PDF format. Search queries are supported by the open source software Solr, which provides better performance and flexibility. A vendor-independent data interface has been implemented for the quick connection of new data sources.

Added value for the client
The worldwide internal users can use the application intuitively and within a very short time without training and can compile their patent evaluations around the clock. Saving the search criteria and the export function simplify recurring administrative tasks in the patent department. The filtering of search results via extensive facets, which are dynamically made available on the search result, enables the user to navigate efficiently. Acceptance of the application is very high due to its intuitive operation. The use of patent data has led to a reduction in workload. Furthermore, quality assurance is carried out when preparing the data. This makes incorrect records available centrally in Excel format in the web application for administration according to defined criteria, and can thus be used in the maintenance of existing patents. Internal patent attorneys also have access to a report page with predefined evaluations.