Industry
Technology
Customer’s Location
The Hague, the Netherlands
About the Project
The OA Switchboard is a global not-for-profit initiative that has successfully addressed the growing complexities of Open Access (OA) publication management. Acting as a neutral intermediary, the platform connects funders, institutions, and publishers, offering a scalable infrastructure that simplifies the implementation of OA policies. By streamlining communication and exchanging publication-level information, the OA Switchboard ensures smooth financial settlements and supports the evolving needs of the academic community. As it continues to grow, the platform remains focused on scaling its operations to serve all stakeholders in the publishing process, making digital publishing more accessible and more consistent for all parties.
The Challenge
In early 2020, the OA Switchboard sought a technology partner for their platform. The primary goal was to find a provider of software development services for publishing who could meet the immediate requirements, demonstrate expertise in scholarly information, and have a strong track record in delivering open-source solutions. With 20 different applicants competing, the selection process was rigorous. Regarding the development goal — it was quite simple. The OA Switchboard initiative stakeholders were looking for a development provider that would be able to develop the product from scratch, handling all nuances of the development process.
Our Process
ELITEX won the RFI several months after the competition started. Our team stood out for our experience in custom software development and our ability to address the project needs reliably and quickly. After being selected, we quickly assembled a development team that immediately began working on OA Switchboard’s MVP. The MVP was delivered in six iterations over 13 weeks within budget and timelines. Following the MVP’s go-live, the project moved to the Pilot phase, onboarding publishers, institutions, and funders. The first version of the OA Switchboard, overseen by OASPA, was prepared throughout 2020 for its operational launch.
Our Solution
The first version of the OA Switchboard officially went live on January 1, 2021. The software was managed by an independent foundation, Stitching OA Switchboard, and ELITEX was a dedicated tech partner responsible for all technical aspects of the project. At its core, the OA Switchboard features a message hub built on AWS services like SQS, SNS, and SES. This serverless infrastructure solution is highly scalable, secure, and cost-effective, with minimal fixed costs.
The OA Switchboard invites stakeholders to integrate with its API, using a standard message structure for seamless communication. For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, ELITEX developed a user-friendly UI that simplifies the process of composing, reading, and managing messages, along with generating reports. This brief 4-minute video showcases the UI’s functionality, offering a clear glimpse into its capabilities:
Built on the open-source Pubsweet framework, supported by the innovative CoKo Foundation, the UI provides an accessible way to interact with the OA Switchboard API. This open-source foundation not only demonstrates the platform functionality but also serves as an inspiration for those looking to connect to Switchboard’s API. To accommodate stakeholders hesitant to invest in full API integration, ELITEX also introduced generic connectors, allowing publishers to use the OA Switchboard without modifying their existing publishing IT systems. During the pilot phase of the OA Switchboard, ELITEX swiftly implemented custom connectors for the very early adopters like the Microbiology Society, the Royal Society, and the American Physiological Society, with execution taking less than a month.
The Result
From the very beginning of the operational stage on 1 January 2021, the OA Switchboard has been running efficiently and effectively. The infrastructure’s design ensures scalability, cost-effectiveness, and seamless integrations for multiple stakeholders. The rapid implementation of connectors allowed early adopters to benefit quickly from the system, demonstrating its value and potential for broader adoption.
As of 2024, the OA Switchboard continues to grow, expanding its reach and impact across the global academic and publishing community. It now supports a broader network of funders, institutions, and publishers, enhancing the efficiency and transparency of Open Access publication processes while also introducing new features and integrations to meet the evolving needs of its diverse stakeholders. ELITEX, in turn, remains the key digital publishing software development partner for the OA Switchboard initiative, implementing and maintaining the project's continuous improvement.
Our Project Team
Building on the success of the initial launch, our development team adapted dynamically to the OA Switchboard’s evolving needs. We began with a robust crew involved in both front-end and back-end development, laying a solid foundation for the OA Switchboard. As the system matured, collaboration between ELITEX and OA Switchboard transitioned to a more flexible model, balancing ongoing support with strategic feature implementation. This approach allowed us to scale the development team efficiently, ensuring the platform’s continuous improvement and responsiveness to stakeholder needs.
Why Partner With ELITEX?
Digital publishing industry leaders turn to ELITEX for our proven decade-long expertise in publishing software development, from cloud services and back-ends to state-of-the-art front-ends, ensuring any interface we build is user-friendly and highly efficient. Our extensive experience mastering software from scratch allows businesses to tailor digital solutions precisely to their needs in every aspect of this software. ELITEX’s ability to integrate seamlessly with existing teams and adapt to project-specific needs makes us the perfect digital partners for virtually anyone looking for software development in digital publishing. Our deep industry understanding and excellent technology knowledge make ELITEX your ideal software development partner.
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