Table 4.

Evaluation of the technical design and capabilities of selected EIS

Technical features*	Description	Observations	References
User accessibility and usability	Accessibility ensures equivalence for all users so they can navigate and interact with the EIS. Usability is related to the interaction between people and the EIS interface, and the degree to which the system is effective, efficient and satisfying to use.70 This includes data import and entry characteristics.	Of the EIS that reported features related to accessibility and usability, 18 described features that can be considered to meet the criteria of accessibility and usability, where users can either create profiles/logins, access the EIS via a website or are targeted at specific sectors for data upload (ie, health professional or pathology laboratories).	Permits users to create profiles or a login12 28 44–46 68: Directed for specific users29 31 32 35 36 42 49 71: No login required30 37 40 47:
Information visualisation and interactivity	Representing data in visual and meaningful ways. Interactivity allows users to manipulate data displays to enhance the experience. Examples include dashboards, geographical maps and charts where time, trends, colours and shapes can be manipulated.	All the EIS evaluated for these features, describe capacity for visualisation, reporting or interactivity. The data output varied between generation of reports, tables, graphs, interactive maps/graphs and alert systems.	All EIS create a form of report or analysis.35–37 40 46 68,37 40 46 Interactivity features30 35–37 40 46 68:
Database security and confidentiality	The range of tools, controls and measures used to protect database confidentiality and integrity from internal and external threats.	A range of security measures was observed, including user protection (password protected, authority requirements), secure connectivity and protocols and security of data reported being de-identified.	Password protected user accounts12 31 33 34 42 43 45 68: Secure connection/protocols in place23 33 43 46 68: De-identified data31 33 40 43 44:
Database structures	Refers to the hardware and software infrastructure used to create and maintain the data.	Few EIS described the database structures. Where described, it included use of R, JavaScript, HTML5 and/or MySQL.	- Specified programming language45 46:
Data storage	Storing of data in a storage medium. May be on local servers or in the cloud.	The EIS that described their data storage functionality included local servers (computer-based) and cloud servers (web-based).	Web-based (cloud) servers12 29 43 45–47: Local-based servers44 45:

*Some publications reviewed lacked specific information on EIS features to be included within this table. Relevant information may be available from other sources that were not identified in this systematic scoping review.