Case Study: Northwestern University cuts field data collection time in half with Fulcrum

Northwestern University cuts field data collection time from 3–5 minutes to 1.5 minutes with Fulcrum

Researchers in the Department of Molecular Bioscience at Northwestern University needed to collect thousands of nematode samples during a three-week field study in Hawaii. Their challenge was replacing an inefficient paper-based method with a simple, electronic tool to track samples, log GPS locations, and take photos offline without relying on cell service. They turned to the vendor Fulcrum for a solution.

By implementing the Fulcrum field inspection platform, the team created a streamlined data collection app. This solution cut per-sample collection time from three-to-five minutes down to about a minute and a half, effectively halving their field time. Fulcrum eliminated data loss concerns with reliable offline syncing, drastically reduced sample tracking errors, and provided reproducible, high-quality data for what became the largest-ever collection of its kind.

Northwestern University