Centralized database management with AWS and R/Shiny

Join us for our next meetup in November, to hear from Ilaria Capelli and Mina Sohrabi about their work at Raiffeisen Bank International. We will explore how their new R package simplifies querying their centralized database through a secure AWS setup and discover their intuitive R/Shiny interface for easy data access and updates. They will showcase features like Excel-like operations via rhandsontable, designed to enhance usability for both technical and non-technical users. Perfect for analysts and clients looking to smoothly interact with macroeconomic data!

Abstract:
As developers at a leading economic and financial markets research institution, centralizing our data is crucial for both internal (backtesting, sharing forecasts, model validations) and external (client access) use cases. Our contribution consists of two parts: first, the introduction of our R package, developed using the “Open API generator,” enabling seamless querying of our database via a RESTful API. Additionally, we show the integration of a robust authorization and authentication layer within AWS cloud infrastructure. Second, we have designed a user-friendly R/Shiny-based frontend to facilitate easy access for non-technical users. This interface displays forecasts and historic data for various variables and countries, allowing for data updates and downloads. To mimic familiar Excel operations such as row-wise pasting and data removal, we have successfully utilized the open-source R-wrapper rhandsontable of the JavaScript library handsontable. Both contributions enable our analysts and clients to smoothly interact with our database by providing a convenient, secure, and user-friendly environment, enhancing the accessibility of our macroeconomic data for all stakeholders.