PRISM
The defensible, low-risk way to use R in GxP environments
Move beyond rigid checklists. PRISM combines a curated, stable package ecosystem with continuous scientific oversight and versioned documentation — so you can trust your code from discovery to submission.
Request a demo for PRISM
Why checklists aren't enough for R in pharma
The challenge: Automated criteria (download counts, test coverage) aren't enough. Valid packages sometimes get rejected, while questionable ones slide through. FDA guidance requires more than just a checklist.
The reality: The best risk mitigation isn't a script — it's having scientists who critically examine outputs, understand methods, and stay current with community developments.
The PRISM solution: We provide that expert oversight. PRISM is more than a package mirror; it's an extended team of 60+ scientists and engineers continuously monitoring, testing, and curating the packages you rely on.
Built to meet your specific needs
Predictable stability & versioned history
Legacy support
Older R versions are first-class citizens. Access compatible package versions for long-running studies without ad-hoc workarounds.
Versioned documentation
Stop guessing. Access READMEs and vignettes specifically for the version you are using, not just the latest CRAN release.
Multiple registries
Choose between our two registries depending on the level of stability you need. "Stratus" for fast iteration and "Nimbus" for curated, patched stability.
Defensible governance & risk mitigation
Shared responsibility
Don't place all governance on a single individual. Leverage A2-Ai's crowdsourced alerts and impact assessments.
Regulatory confidence
Regulators can access the same public sources. We offer add-on support to answer agency questions about package provenance.
Crowdsourced intelligence
If a package shows red flags, you receive expert impact assessments and mitigation options immediately.
Secure integration & dependency insight
Environment ready
Packages are vetted, built into binaries, and ready to be installed and used in your environment.
Dependency visualization
See full dependency trees and reverse dependencies to understand how upgrades propagate risks.
Flexible deployment
Available as a hosted cloud service or self-hosted behind your firewall. Integrates with Posit Package Manager.
Historical package support
Access historical package versions and documentation to use and understand how packages have changed over time.
Start trusting your R packages
The foundation: a curated, stable ecosystem
Curated collections
~1,000 packages selected for enterprise analytics and regulatory workflows. Curated to your organization's specific needs.
Delayed & patched releases
We monitor community bug reports and delay releases to your production environment until they are proven stable. We proactively patch issues before they reach you.
Extended binary support
Pre-compiled binaries for Enterprise Linux (Red Hat/Ubuntu) and other platforms, ensuring faster and more reliable installations than standard CRAN sources.
Deep dependency intelligence
Interactive dependency trees
View complete, zoomable network graphs for any package. Analyze recursive dependencies and detect potential conflicts early.
Reverse dependency analysis
See exactly which packages depend on a given library. Understand the ripple effect of any change before you make it.
Migration planning & comparison
Snapshot comparison & diff mode
Instantly compare version changes across multiple package repositories. Enable diff mode to filter only the packages that have changed between compared repositories.
Binary availability
Verify binary availability across any combination of operating system, architecture, and R version. Identify platform-specific gaps to ensure consistent deployments across your environments.
Impact analysis
Export comparison results for documentation. Use platform compatibility matrices to validate target environments before deployment.
Versioned documentation
Time-travel documentation
Browse READMEs, vignettes, and function references for every package version. No more hunting through GitHub history to find how a function worked 2 years ago.
Continuous expert oversight
60+ scientists and engineers on watch
Our team of scientists and engineers continuously monitors package health, tracks CRAN updates, and integrates client feedback into the ecosystem.
Crowdsourced alerts
Receive alerts with expert impact assessments when issues are found. Mitigation options are provided for internal and external discussions.
How PRISM compares
| Capability | PRISM | CRAN direct | Internal curation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assured compatibility | Guaranteed within editions | Limited to CRAN machines | Depends on your resources |
| Version-specific documentation | Embedded for every version | Latest only | Manual effort |
| Comparison tools | Built-in diff & analysis | None | Build your own |
| Testing scope | Enterprise Linux (RHEL/Ubuntu) | CRAN machines only | Your infrastructure |
| Curated stability | Delayed, patched, monitored | None | Requires dedicated team |
| Expert oversight | 60+ scientists monitoring | None | Hire your own |
Already invested in Posit Package Manager?
PRISM isn't a replacement. It is the validation layer PPM is not designed to provide. PRISM adds the scientific curation, compatibility testing, and expert oversight that regulated environments demand. Snapshots integrate with your existing PPM instance.
Use them together:
- PRISM: curates, tests, validates, and documents
- PPM: delivers packages, manages access, and hosts your internal builds
See our PPM Integration add-on for setup details.
Choose the deployment that fits your needs
Enterprise
- Access to both PRISM registries (Stratus & Nimbus)
- Testing tools for your environment
- Nimbus testing documentation
- Package issue alerts
- Up to 10 custom package assessments per quarter
Self-hosted
- Behind-the-firewall PRISM deployment
- Full capabilities including internal package integration
- Complete control over the environment
Add-ons
Additional services to support your R workflow.
Regulatory submission support
- Reviewer's guide content
- Environment documentation
- Support for agency questions about packages
Posit Package Manager integration
- Scripts and guidance to ingest PRISM packages
- Integration with existing Posit Package Manager instance
Custom package assessments
- Customized package risk assessment
- Documentation to meet particular organization validation requirements
Ready to transform your R workflow?
PRISM delivers the stability, governance, and expert oversight you need to confidently use R in regulated environments. Move beyond rigid checklists — get the scientific expertise and versioned ecosystem that supports your work from discovery to submission.
Ready to transform your workflow? Contact us today to learn more about PRISM and how it can help your organization.