New: Academic Computing Drop-in Sessions
Academic computing drop-in sessions are now run by members of our team on Wednesday afternoons! Head to our drop-in info page for details & schedule....
Knowledge Base
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University of Reading Digital Research Cloud
Introduction
The Digital Research Cloud (DRC) is a flexible, secure, and easy-to-use platform designed to support researchers at the University of Reading. Built on the Oracle Cloud Database and Oracle APEX services, the DRC offers researchers a powerful yet accessible environment for managing and processing data, developing applications, and supporting collaborative research projects.
The DRC complements existing University research computing services by offering:
- Scalable data processing – handle and analyse very large datasets efficiently.
- Low-code application development – create custom research tools and interfaces with minimal programming.
- Quick setup – upload data and deploy databases in minutes.
- Secure collaboration – share access with external partners safely via a web interface.
- Built-in AI tools – make use of Oracle’s integrated AI and machine learning capabilities for advanced data analysis.
- Comprehensive training – access a wealth of Oracle APEX tutorials and learning materials.
Funding and Costs
The DRC is a paid service, funded through research grants or project budgets. Charges are based on processor time, with spending limits pre-allocated according to your available budget. All costs are charged to a University cost code.
How to Get Started
To request access or set up your own DRC tenancy, visit the DTS Self Service Portal to submit an application via the DRC Service request form. If you’d like advice before applying, contact the Digital Research Computing Team via the ‘Consultancy services for research projects’ request form to discuss your project and assess suitability.