Study Analysis – Site Payment Automation

This post explores how automation is reshaping the way research sites are paid for their work in clinical trials, with a particular emphasis on visit-related payments — the largest and most data-driven portion of site compensation. Traditionally, these payments required extensive manual effort, including reviewing visit activity, reconciling case report forms (CRFs), generating invoices, and coordinating payment cycles. By contrast, an automated approach streamlines every step of the workflow.

In this model, sites enter clinical data directly into the study’s electronic data capture (EDC) system. Once submitted, EDC reports are automatically ingested and mapped against each site’s contract terms, enabling instant calculation of visit-level costs. The system then generates accurate, itemized invoices without manual intervention, ensuring that each charge aligns with both the completed CRFs and the specific budget outlined in the clinical trial agreement (CTA).

These invoices are immediately available for sponsor review and approval, with built-in transparency that reduces disputes and accelerates reconciliation. Once approved, payments are released automatically and delivered to the site’s account within 24 hours, dramatically shortening traditional payment timelines. By removing administrative bottlenecks, automation improves cash flow for sites, reduces operational burden for sponsors, and supports smoother, more predictable trial execution.