Koala Monitor – A Web-based Platform Built on Microsoft Office365
Paul Jardine, Daniela Holzner, Wei Shen, Wee Lum Tan 1Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
The Toohey Forest monitoring project focused on the of monitoring koala habitats using Internet-connected digital cameras. To support this initiative, a centralized data repository and data analysis platform was developed. The platform enabled researchers to review videos and metadata captured by the cameras and access analysis reports created using Microsoft PowerBI.
To streamline the process, a no-code approach was employed, leveraging Microsoft SharePoint as the foundation for the data workflow and analytics platform. Each digital camera, equipped with cellular connectivity, was associated with a dedicated email account used solely for transporting captured video clips and metadata. Cybersecurity measurement was in place to ensure cameras only used dedicated email addresses. Using Microsoft Power Automate, a workflow was configured that automatically extracted video clips with accompanying metadata from the mailbox. The extracted data was then organized and stored in specific folders within SharePoint based on the metadata attributes.
In addition to data transportation, Microsoft Power BI was utilized to analyse the data available on SharePoint. This involved generating reports to provide insights into the captured information, which were subsequently published on the SharePoint site. Researchers were able to conveniently access reports, view real-time data from the field cameras, and playback videos directly within their web browsers.
The SharePoint site serves as the centralized portal, empowering researchers with a comprehensive view of all real-time data, seamless video playback, and immediate access to analytical reports. This integrated solution enables efficient data management and analysis, facilitating the monitoring and conservation efforts for koala habitats.
Biography
eResearch Team at Griffith University has made significant contributions to the field of e-research. With a strong background in technology and a passion for innovation, our team has been instrumental in advancing the use of digital tools and methodologies in research at Griffith University.