Self-hosted and secure: How GravityKit powers staff profiles for the National Severe Storms Laboratory

Government agencies face unique software requirements. This includes strict security standards, long-term maintainability, and the ability to adapt to complex organizational needs. For the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), keeping internal data accessible and up-to-date for their large team of researchers was undoubtedly a top priority.

We’re proud that NSSL chose GravityKit to help solve this challenge. As a self-hosted, secure, and well-supported solution built on WordPress and Gravity Forms, GravityKit gives organizations like NSSL full control over their data while making it easy to build scalable web applications.

The National Severe Storms Laboratory, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), leads the US in advancing understanding of severe weather. Based in Norman, Oklahoma, NSSL scientists work to improve warnings and forecasts that save lives and protect property across the United States.

This case study is based on publicly-available information and was created by the GravityKit team. GravityKit is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or officially endorsed by the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The challenge: Managing data in a government environment

Government organizations face distinct challenges when implementing web solutions. For the NSSL and other agencies, this means navigating several critical requirements, such as:

• Security and compliance – All data must remain within their environment, meeting federal security standards.
• Easy updates – Many organizations require systems that non-technical administrators can manage.
• Public accessibility – The directory needs to be searchable and filterable for researchers, media, and the public.
• Scalability – The system needs to handle growing staff numbers without requiring redesigns.
• Self-service capabilities – Ideally, staff members could update their own profiles without backend access.

Traditional solutions, whether custom-coded databases or proprietary systems, are often expensive, time-consuming to implement, and difficult to maintain within government IT constraints.

Building a powerful staff directory with GravityView

GravityView, our flagship plugin, enables you to build powerful web apps on top of Gravity Forms. The NSSL used GravityView to transform Gravity Forms entries into a professional, public-facing staff directory. This no-code approach delivers robust functionality while ensuring complete control over the data.

The NSSL’s implementation leverages several key GravityView features:

Data collection via Gravity Forms – Staff information is collected and managed through customizable forms, making it easy for administrators to add new profiles or update existing ones. Each form entry becomes a staff profile, complete with contact information, research areas, and professional details.

Front-end display with GravityView – GravityView transforms the raw form data into an elegant, searchable directory. Visitors can browse all staff members or use search and filtering tools to find specific staff members.

Customizable layouts – NSSL configured their directory to display consistent, professional profiles for each staff member. The structured presentation ensures information is easy to scan.

Self-service editing – Using GravityView’s front-end editing capabilities, staff members can update their own profiles directly from the website, without needing admin access. This distributed approach keeps information current while reducing administrative burden and minimizing security risks.

Real-world benefits for government agencies

GravityKit provides several key benefits for government agencies looking to build web solutions or enhance their existing WordPress setups. In the NSSL’s case, their public staff directory:

• Enhances public engagement – Researchers, journalists, and collaborators can easily find and contact the right experts, facilitating scientific communication and media outreach.
• Reduces IT complexity – The WordPress-based solution integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure, avoiding the need for separate databases or custom applications.
• Ensures compliance-ready architecture – All data remains within NSSL’s controlled environment, meeting federal requirements for data management and security.
• Ensures future-proof flexibility – New fields, categories, or features can be added without restructuring the entire system, adapting to evolving organizational needs.

The complete GravityKit toolkit for government agencies

While NSSL’s public directory showcases GravityView in action, government agencies can enhance their operations further with other GravityKit tools:

• GravityBoard – Manage projects and workflows with Kanban-style boards. Track initiatives, assignments, and progress across departments.
• GravityRevisions – Track and monitor all updates made to forms and entries. See who made changes and restore past versions when needed.
• GravityExport – Automatically generate CSV, Excel, or PDF exports of directory data for compliance reporting, grant applications, or interdepartmental collaboration. Schedule regular exports to keep stakeholders informed without manual intervention.
• GravityCharts – Transform staff data into visual insights. Display department sizes, expertise distribution, or demographic information through interactive charts that update automatically as data changes.
• GravityCalendar – Showcase upcoming seminars, conferences, or public meetings in a visual calendar format, keeping both staff and the public informed of important events.

These tools work together to create a comprehensive data management ecosystem—all within WordPress, all without custom code, and all under your complete control.

Transform your agency’s data management

The National Severe Storms Laboratory staff directory demonstrates how GravityKit enables government organizations to leverage modern web tools while maintaining security, compliance, and control.

Government agencies choose GravityKit because it meets their unique requirements, including data sovereignty, freedom from vendor lock-in, accessibility, regulatory compliance, cost-effectiveness, and rapid deployment.

Whether you’re managing staff profiles, tracking research projects, or organizing public data, GravityKit provides the flexible, secure foundation government agencies need. Learn more about how GravityKit can power your agency’s next project.