Terms and Conditions for TRACER

Effective: July 18, 2025

Companies Act, 2013

1. Introduction and Acceptance

1.1 Welcome to TRACER

Welcome to TRACER (Teacher's Research Accreditation Criteria Explorer & Repository), a premier academic research management software solution provided by BytesWrite Solution Private Limited (“BytesWrite”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). TRACER is specifically designed to empower academic excellence by simplifying and elevating faculty research endeavors through comprehensive tracking and analysis of research activities.

TRACER serves as a centralized platform for managing faculty research contributions, accreditation metrics, and compliance tracking, supporting educators in showcasing their research and aligning with institutional benchmarks.

1.2 Agreement Overview

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) constitute a legally binding agreement between you (“Customer”, “User”, “Institution”, “you”, or “your”) and BytesWrite regarding your access to and use of TRACER and all associated services (collectively, the “Services”).

By accessing, registering for, or using TRACER, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you are using TRACER on behalf of an educational institution, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

Important Notice

If you do not agree to these Terms in their entirety, you must immediately discontinue use of TRACER and all associated services. Continued use constitutes acceptance of any modifications to these Terms.

2. Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them:

TRACER: Teacher's Research Accreditation Criteria Explorer & Repository – our comprehensive academic research management software solution.
Academic Institution: Universities, colleges, research institutes, and other educational organizations that are customers of TRACER.
Faculty Members: Teaching staff, researchers, and academic personnel who use TRACER for research tracking and analysis.
Research Data: All academic research information, publications, citations, metrics, and related content processed through TRACER.
NAAC Compliance: Adherence to National Assessment and Accreditation Council standards and requirements for educational institutions in India.
Authorized Users: Faculty members, administrators, and institutional personnel authorized to access TRACER.
Customer Data: All data, information, research metrics, and content submitted by institutions and faculty through TRACER.
Documentation: User guides, technical manuals, and support materials provided with TRACER.
Subscription Term: The period specified in your order agreement during which you may access TRACER.

3. Service Description

3.1 TRACER Platform Overview

TRACER is a comprehensive academic research management system that streamlines faculty research tracking, performance evaluation, and institutional reporting. Our platform centralizes data from sources like Google Scholar and Scopus, saving time and ensuring reliable metrics for university research management and NAAC accreditation support.

3.2 Core Functionalities

TRACER provides the following key features and services:

Feature Category	Description	Benefits
NAAC Accreditation Support	Simplify data management and NAAC accreditation with unique scoring system, enhancing academic reputation by evaluating faculty research output	Streamlined NAAC documentation and effortless compliance reporting
Faculty Performance Evaluation	Comprehensive faculty research scores providing clear insights into individual performance	Enhanced faculty development and improved academic standing
Research Analysis	In-depth analysis with valuable insights into research performance at individual and administrative levels	Year-over-year comparisons and detailed department-level data for strategic planning
Academic Performance Reports	Analyze faculty research output with insights for current and five-year periods	Downloadable reports for evaluations and accreditation support

3.3 Advanced Features

Feature Category	Description
Data Visualization and Integration	Advanced data crawling capabilities from Google Scholar providing detailed graphical representation of faculty citations, h-index, and total citations. Automated data integration from Google Scholar and Scopus with standardized faculty ranking and performance metrics.
Quality Assurance and Validation	Rigorous data validation by administrators including verification of journal data through reliable sources such as Scopus and Scimago. Enhanced notifications and email alerts for entry verification, updates, and approvals.
Collaboration and Connectivity	Streamlined research collaboration allowing faculty to list collaborators without repeated data entry. Direct access to major academic platforms including Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Scopus, ORCID, and LinkedIn.

4. Subscription and Licensing

4.1 License Grant

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, BytesWrite grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable license to access and use TRACER during the applicable Subscription Term for academic and educational purposes only.

This license permits:

Access and use of TRACER solely for internal institutional purposes related to academic research management
Authorization for Authorized Users to access TRACER in accordance with these Terms
Use of accompanying Documentation to support your use of TRACER

4.2 Academic Use Restrictions

Your use of TRACER is strictly limited to academic and educational purposes. The following restrictions apply:

Prohibited Activities	Permitted Activities
Commercial exploitation or resale of TRACER services	Academic research tracking and analysis
Reverse engineering, decompiling, or disassembling the software	Faculty performance evaluation for institutional purposes
Creating derivative works or modifications	NAAC accreditation documentation and reporting
Providing TRACER access to unauthorized third parties	Collaborative academic research management
Using TRACER for competitive benchmarking against BytesWrite	Educational assessment and institutional planning

4.3 User Management and Access Control

Institutions are responsible for:

Managing access credentials for all Authorized Users
Ensuring all users comply with these Terms and academic use restrictions
Maintaining security of account credentials and preventing unauthorized access
Promptly notifying BytesWrite of any security breaches or unauthorized use

Access Control Notice

TRACER employs a role-based access control system that allows administrators to maintain precise oversight while ensuring data security and customization to meet specific institutional research management needs.

5. User Obligations and Responsibilities

5.1 Institutional Responsibilities

As a TRACER customer, your institution agrees to:

Category	Obligations
Compliance	Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and academic standards Ensure TRACER use aligns with institutional policies and NAAC requirements Maintain appropriate security measures when accessing the platform
Data Accuracy	Ensure all research data submitted is accurate, complete, and current Verify legal rights to submit and process research information Maintain data integrity and avoid submission of malicious content
System Requirements	Provide compatible hardware, software, and reliable internet connectivity Meet minimum technical requirements specified in Documentation Ensure systems are properly configured for optimal TRACER performance

5.2 Faculty Member Responsibilities

Faculty members using TRACER must:

Provide accurate and complete research information including publications, citations, and academic metrics
Respect co-author rights and obtain appropriate permissions before listing collaborative research
Maintain confidentiality of their TRACER access credentials
Report any discrepancies or data validation concerns to institutional administrators
Comply with academic ethics and institutional research policies

5.3 Data Validation and Quality Assurance

TRACER implements rigorous data validation processes:

Every entry undergoes thorough validation by administrators
Journal data verification through reliable sources including Scopus and Scimago
Automated alerts and notifications for data accuracy maintenance
Collaborative review processes to ensure research information integrity

6. Data Management and Protection

6.1 Research Data Ownership

Institutions retain full ownership of all research data, faculty information, and academic metrics uploaded to TRACER. However, institutions grant BytesWrite a limited license to:

Process and analyze research data for service delivery
Generate reports and visualizations for institutional use
Maintain system security and performance optimization
Create de-identified, aggregated analytics for service enhancement

6.2 Data Protection Compliance

TRACER adheres to comprehensive data protection standards:

Category	Implementation
Indian Data Protection	Full compliance with Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023)
Educational Privacy	Adherence to applicable student and faculty privacy regulations
International Standards	GDPR compliance where applicable for international users
Security Measures	Industry-standard encryption, access controls, and audit trails

6.3 Data Storage and Retention

Primary Storage: Research data is stored on secure servers located in India.
Retention Period: Customer data retained for active Subscription Term plus up to 90 days post-termination.
Backup Systems: Automated backup procedures with 1-year retention for disaster recovery.
Data Deletion: Secure deletion procedures following retention period expiration.

6.4 Academic Data Security

Given the sensitive nature of academic research data, TRACER implements:

Role-based access controls limiting data access to authorized personnel
Encryption at rest and in transit using industry-standard protocols
Audit logging for all data access and modification activities
Regular security assessments and compliance monitoring

7. Intellectual Property Rights

All intellectual property rights in TRACER and its associated materials are owned by BytesWrite. Institutions and users are granted a limited license to use TRACER for its intended purposes.

Category	Rights & Ownership Details
BytesWrite Intellectual Property	Exclusive ownership of all rights, title, and interest in TRACER All proprietary algorithms for research analysis and faculty ranking systems Software code, architecture, and technical innovations underlying TRACER All IP rights including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets Methodologies for academic performance evaluation and NAAC compliance reporting User interface designs, workflows, and system integrations
Customer Research Data Rights	Customers retain ownership of their research data and academic information BytesWrite may process research data to generate performance analytics and reports Use of aggregated, de-identified data for platform improvement and benchmarking Access to customer data as needed for technical support and maintenance
Academic Publication Rights	Faculty retain full rights to publish research results in academic contexts Academic reports, research papers, and thesis documentation Conference presentations and educational guides Use of TRACER screenshots with proper acknowledgment to BytesWrite

Publication Restrictions

Publications must not disclose any TRACER source code, proprietary methodologies, or confidential system information.

8. Fees And Payment

Data	Fees	Payment Terms	Fee Changes
Description	You agree to pay all fees as outlined in the applicable Order Form. Unless otherwise specified, all fees are non-refundable, exclusive of applicable taxes, and payable in the currency indicated in the Order Form.	All subscription fees are payable in advance. Payment is due within thirty (30) days of the invoice date unless otherwise stated. Late payments may incur interest at the rate of 1.5% per month or the maximum rate permitted by law. BytesWrite reserves the right to suspend Services for non-payment following fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice.	BytesWrite may revise its fees for renewal terms by providing at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice. Any increase in fees during an active Subscription Term will require your prior written consent.
Highlights	Subscription Fees are charged in advance for each term, based on the number of users, modules, or a flat fee as specified in your Order Form. Implementation Fees (including setup, configuration, data migration, and custom development) are invoiced upon milestone completion. Training and Support Fees, if applicable, are invoiced upon service delivery. All fees are exclusive of taxes, duties, and other governmental charges, which are the customer's responsibility. Fees are generally non-refundable and non-cancellable, unless explicitly stated otherwise in these Terms.	Invoicing Schedule: Subscription Fees are invoiced at the start of each Subscription Term; other professional services are invoiced upon milestone completion or delivery date. Due Date: All invoices are due within thirty (30) days of the invoice date, unless otherwise stated in the Order Form. Late Payments: Unpaid amounts will incur interest at 1.5% per month or the maximum rate permitted by law, calculated daily. Service Suspension: If any undisputed payment is more than fifteen (15) days past due, we may suspend access to the Services after providing ten (10) days’ written notice. Collection Costs: You agree to reimburse us for reasonable costs incurred in collecting overdue amounts, including collection agency fees and attorneys’ fees.	Renewal Adjustments: We may modify Subscription Fees for any renewal term by providing at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice before the end of the current term. Consent Requirement: Fee increases during an active term will only be implemented with your express written agreement. Documentation: All fee changes will be reflected in an amended or new Order Form. In the absence of such documentation, existing fees remain unchanged.

9. Service Availability and Performance

9.1 Uptime Commitment

BytesWrite commits to providing TRACER with:

99.5% monthly uptime excluding scheduled maintenance and force majeure events
24-hour advance notice for planned maintenance activities
Redundant infrastructure to minimize service disruptions
Performance monitoring to ensure optimal system responsiveness

9.2 Service Level Expectations

Performance Metric	Target	Measurement
System Availability	99.5% monthly uptime	Continuous monitoring with monthly reporting
Data Backup	Daily automated backups	Verified backup completion logs
Response Time	Sub-3 second page load times	Performance analytics and user experience monitoring
Data Processing	Real-time synchronization from academic sources	Automated data refresh cycles

9.3 Planned Maintenance and Updates

Scheduled Maintenance: Announced 24 hours in advance, typically during low-usage periods
Security Updates: Applied as needed to maintain platform security and compliance
Feature Enhancements: Regular updates to improve functionality and user experience
Data Source Integration: Ongoing updates to maintain connectivity with Google Scholar, Scopus, and other academic databases

10. Compliance and Regulatory Requirements

10.1 NAAC Accreditation Support

TRACER is specifically designed to support institutional NAAC accreditation requirements:

NAAC Criterion	TRACER Support
Faculty Research Output	Comprehensive tracking and analysis of publications, citations, and research metrics
Quality Assurance	Automated data validation and compliance reporting mechanisms
Documentation Requirements	Customizable Excel reports and downloadable documentation for NAAC submissions
Performance Metrics	Standardized scoring systems aligned with NAAC evaluation criteria

10.2 Educational Compliance Standards

TRACER maintains compliance with:

UGC Guidelines for faculty performance evaluation and research assessment
Academic Ethics Standards for research data management and publication tracking
Institutional Governance requirements for transparency and accountability
Regional Accreditation standards as applicable to specific geographic locations

10.3 Data Protection Regulatory Compliance

Institutions are responsible for ensuring:

Regulation	Compliance Measures
Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023)	Full implementation of data protection controls and user rights
Information Technology Act (2000)	Adherence to cybersecurity and data handling requirements
Educational Privacy Regulations	Protection of student and faculty personal information
Cross-border Data Transfer	Appropriate safeguards for any international data processing

11. Limitation of Liability and Warranties

11.1 Service Warranties

BytesWrite provides the following warranties for TRACER:

Warranty Type	Coverage
Functional Performance	TRACER will perform materially in accordance with Documentation
Data Accuracy	Research data processing will be performed with commercially reasonable accuracy
Security Standards	Implementation of industry-standard security measures and protocols
Uptime Commitment	99.5% monthly availability as specified in Service Level Agreement

11.2 Limitation of Liability

Maximum Liability Cap: BytesWrite's total liability is limited to fees paid by the customer in the 12 months preceding the claim.

Excluded Damages: Neither party shall be liable for:

Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
Lost profits, revenue, or data
Business interruption or third-party claims
Punitive or exemplary damages

Important Academic Disclaimers

Research Validation: While TRACER provides data validation tools, institutions remain responsible for verifying research accuracy and authenticity.
Accreditation Outcomes: TRACER supports NAAC compliance efforts but does not guarantee accreditation results.
Publication Rights: Faculty members are responsible for ensuring proper attribution and copyright compliance in their research publications.
Data Completeness: TRACER aggregates data from external sources (Google Scholar, Scopus) which may have inherent limitations or gaps.

11.3 Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for delays or failures due to circumstances beyond reasonable control, including:

Natural disasters and acts of God
Government actions and regulatory changes
Internet service provider failures
Cyberattacks and security incidents beyond normal risk parameters

12. Termination and Account Management

12.1 Termination Rights

Either party may terminate this Agreement:

Termination Type	Notice Required	Conditions
For Convenience	30 days written notice at end of Subscription Term	Either party may terminate without cause
For Cause	Immediate termination permitted	Material breach, insolvency, or illegal activities
Non-Payment	15 days written notice	Following 15 days past due payment period
Compliance Violation	Immediate termination	Violation of academic use restrictions or data misuse

12.2 Effects of Termination

Upon termination of service:

Category	Details
Immediate Effects	Access to TRACER platform is revoked Data processing and report generation cease User accounts become inactive
Data Transition Period	90-day grace period for data export and migration Support for data extraction in standard formats Assistance with transition to alternative systems if requested
Ongoing Obligations	Outstanding payment obligations remain in effect Confidentiality commitments continue indefinitely Intellectual property restrictions remain binding

12.3 Account Suspension

BytesWrite may suspend TRACER access for:

Non-payment following appropriate notice periods
Terms violation including unauthorized use or data misuse
Security concerns such as compromised accounts or suspicious activity
Maintenance requirements for system updates or repairs

Suspension Notice

Suspended accounts may be reactivated upon resolution of the underlying issue and payment of any applicable fees.

13. Academic Data and Research Ethics

13.1 Research Ethics Compliance

TRACER users must adhere to the highest standards of academic research ethics:

Ethical Requirement	Implementation
Data Integrity	Accurate reporting of research outputs, citations, and metrics
Attribution Rights	Proper recognition of research collaborators and collaborative research partners
Publication Ethics	Compliance with academic journal and conference publication standards
Conflict of Interest	Disclosure of any potential conflicts in research reporting or evaluation

13.2 Research Collaboration Management

TRACER's streamlined collaboration features include:

Research collaborator listing without redundant data entry
Collaborative research tracking across multiple faculty members
Attribution management to ensure proper credit distribution
Permission-based access to collaborative research data

Responsibilities:

Faculty must obtain appropriate permissions before listing research collaborators
Institutions should establish clear policies for collaborative research documentation
All parties must respect intellectual property rights of collaborative research

13.3 External Data Source Integration

TRACER integrates with reputable academic databases:

Data Source	Usage	Validation
Google Scholar	Citation metrics, publication tracking, h-index calculation	Automated data crawling with manual verification options
Scopus	Journal rankings, publication verification, citation analysis	Administrative validation through official Scopus data
Scimago	Journal impact metrics and quality assessments	Cross-reference validation for research quality evaluation
ResearchGate	Professional networking and research sharing	Profile integration and verification

14. Support and Maintenance

14.1 Technical Support Services

BytesWrite provides comprehensive support for TRACER users:

Support Level	Coverage	Response Time
Basic Support	Email support, documentation access, bug reports	72 business hours
Premium Support	Priority email, phone support, dedicated account management	24 business hours
Enterprise Support	24/7 support, on-site training, custom integration assistance	4 business hours
Emergency Support	Critical system issues affecting service availability	2 hours maximum

14.2 Training and Implementation Services

Available Training Programs:

Administrator Training: Platform setup, user management, and configuration
Faculty Training: Research data entry, report generation, and feature utilization
NAAC Compliance Training: Accreditation preparation and documentation requirements
Advanced Analytics Training: Advanced reporting and data analysis techniques

Implementation Support:

Data migration from existing systems
Custom configuration for institutional requirements
Integration with existing IT infrastructure
Change management and adoption support

14.3 System Maintenance and Updates

TRACER is continuously updated to enhance functionality and security:

Maintenance Type	Frequency	Description
Security Updates	As needed	Critical security patches and vulnerability fixes
Feature Updates	Quarterly	New functionality and user experience improvements
Data Source Updates	Monthly	Integration updates for Google Scholar, Scopus, and other sources
Performance Optimization	Ongoing	System performance tuning and capacity planning

14.4 Documentation and Resources

Available Resources:

Comprehensive user manuals and guides
Video tutorials and webinar recordings
Best practices documentation for NAAC compliance
API documentation for technical integrations
FAQ and troubleshooting resources

15. Dispute Resolution

15.1 Dispute Resolution Process

Disputes shall be resolved through the following escalation process:

Step 1 – Direct Communication: Parties attempt resolution through direct discussion (30 days)
Step 2 – Mediation: Good faith mediation with mutually agreed mediator (60 days)
Step 3 – Arbitration: Binding arbitration under Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (Timeline as determined by arbitrator)
Step 4 – Court Proceedings: Exclusive jurisdiction of courts in Delhi, India (Timeline as determined by court)

15.2 Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of India including:

Information Technology Act, 2000
Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
Copyright Act, 1957
Companies Act, 2013

Jurisdiction Clause

Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in Delhi, India.

15.3 Limitation Period

All claims must be brought within two (2) years of the date the cause of action arose, or such claims shall be barred.

16. General Provisions

16.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any Order Forms, Data Processing Addenda, and Service Level Agreements, constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

16.2 Amendments and Updates

BytesWrite reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Continued use of TRACER after such changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

Amendment Type	Notice Required	Process
Material Changes	30 days advance notice	Email notification to registered users, website posting
Minor Updates	Immediate posting	Website notification, version control documentation
Emergency Changes	As soon as practicable	Direct notification, explanation of changes

Amendments Notice

Acceptance: Continued use of TRACER after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of modified Terms.

16.3 Assignment and Transfer

Customer Assignment: Customers may not assign these Terms without BytesWrite's prior written consent
BytesWrite Assignment: BytesWrite may assign to affiliates or in connection with merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
Change of Control: Notification required for any material change in customer ownership or control

16.4 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

16.5 Waiver

No waiver of any provision shall constitute a waiver of any other provision. All waivers must be in writing and signed by the waiving party.

16.6 Independent Contractors

The parties are independent contractors. These Terms do not create a partnership, joint venture, or agency relationship.

16.7 Notices

All notices must be in writing and delivered to:

Physical Address: Near Pocket J&K, Dilshad Garden, East Delhi, Delhi, India 110095
Email: support.tracer@byteswrite.com
Response Timeline: 72 business hours for standard inquiries

16.8 Survival

The following provisions shall survive termination: intellectual property rights, confidentiality obligations, limitation of liability, indemnification, and governing law provisions.

17. Contact Information

For any questions or concerns regarding this Agreement, please contact us at:

Email Support

support.tracer@byteswrite.com

Support Portal

https://byteswrite.com/support

Escalation Path

Complex cases may be escalated to senior management or the DPO, subject to internal prioritization and materiality.

Response Timeline

We strive to respond to valid privacy-related requests within 72 business hours. Cause we care for our users and aim to address their concerns promptly.