How to Choose the Best eCRF System for Your Clinical Trial
A Walkthrough of the Leading eCRF Systems on the Market
Choosing the right electronic Case Report Form (eCRF) system is essential for ensuring high-quality data, streamlining processes, and meeting regulatory requirements.
However, with several options on the market, identifying the best system for your clinical trial can be challenging.
At BioStata, we have worked extensively with systems like Medidata Rave, VieDoc, and Zelta – all of which support trials of varying sizes and complexities.
While these systems may share many of the same functionalities, each has its strengths depending on your specific needs.
In this post, we will guide you through the key factors to consider when selecting an eCRF system.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an eCRF System:
Selecting the right eCRF system is more than just choosing the most popular one among users.
Given the number of options available, it is important to evaluate the following factors to identify the system that best suits your trial’s specific needs.
The Size and Complexity of Your Clinical Trial
The size and complexity of your clinical trial are critical considerations when choosing an eCRF system.
For larger, multi-centre studies or trials with complex workflows, Medidata Rave is a well-established platform. It is often chosen due to its reputation within the industry, even though its features and cost may not always align with the needs of every trial.
Medidata Rave provides advanced form designs, customisable workflows, and powerful data management capabilities, making it suitable for highly demanding trials.
However, it should be noted that Zelta and Viedoc also offer many of these same functionalities, often at a lower cost and with easier implementation processes.
For trials that require frequent data updates – such as cancer studies – Zelta is particularly well-suited. Its flexibility allows for quick adjustments without external vendor involvement, which can reduce delays.
Data Storage Considerations (GDPR Compliance)
Where your data will be stored is a critical consideration, particularly when adhering to GDPR.
If your clinical trial requires data to remain within EU borders, Viedoc is one option, as it ensures compliance with EU regulations.
If your trial allows for data to be stored outside the EU, Zelta offers great flexibility, catering to both small and large studies.
Know Your Budget Limitations
Cost is always a consideration in trial planning, and the choice of eCRF system is no exception.
While Medidata Rave is known for its capabilities, it is often chosen for its industry recognition rather than for being the most cost-effective or feature-rich option.
For many smaller or mid-sized trials, Zelta and Viedoc provide similar core functionalities at a more competitive price point.
These platforms are ideal for organisations with tighter budgets, offering the necessary tools without the overhead associated with Rave.
What Features Do You Need – and What Can You Do Without?
Your choice of eCRF system should reflect the specific features your study demands.
Medidata Rave shines when trials require integration to other systems.
However, for trials that do not need these features, both Zelta and Viedoc offer simpler, more streamlined solutions that allow teams to focus on essential data management without being weighed down by extra complexity.
User Experience Is Key
Ease of use is a significant factor when selecting an eCRF system.
Both Zelta and Viedoc are praised for their user-friendly interfaces, making them easier to adopt for teams with less eCRF experience. Also, both systems has great and quick user support.
This can reduce training time and speed up the setup process.
Medidata Rave, while feature-rich, comes with a steeper learning curve that may require additional training and support, especially for new users.
System updates and Vendor Involvement
Medidata Rave may require vendor involvement for system updates, which can slow down implementation and affect the trial timeline.
By contrast, both Zelta and Viedoc allow data managers to make independent updates, making these systems more flexible and quicker to adapt when trial changes occur.
Choose a CRO with Proven Experience
While Medidata Rave, Zelta, and Viedoc offer much of the same core functionality, the choice often comes down to more than just features – factors such as reputation, cost, operational flexibility and CRO experience with a particular system play a key role.
Medidata Rave is frequently chosen for its industry “name” rather than superior functionality or cost-effectiveness. However, Zelta and Viedoc offer comparable capabilities at a lower cost and with greater ease of use.
When deciding on the best system for your clinical trial, it is essential to consider your specific needs.
At BioStata, we can help you navigate through these options to find the eCRF system that best suits your requirements.
Fill out the form, and we will get back to you to schedule a meeting so you can find the eCRF system for your needs.
Do You Have Any Questions About Our Approach or About Us as a Workplace?
Fill out the form, and we will get back to you to discuss and answer your questions.