What is RIMS?

A key component of the Research Management Program is the acquisition and implementation of a new Research Information Management System (RIMS), a business tool supporting research administration and management at the University of Sydney. In 2007, InfoEd was selected as the software provider following an open tender process.

RIMS will be an enterprise system, comprising a single, central data repository for research administration information that is accessible to staff across the University and affiliated institutions via a user-friendly web interface. There will be an exchange of core institutional data between RIMS and other University enterprise systems.

The InfoEd software suite comprises specialised modules that manage discrete research related activities – grants and contracts, research outputs, researcher profiles, human and animal studies, environmental safety etc. A relational database enables module interaction. Selected modules will be configured for the University of Sydney and rolled out progressively over a three year period from 2008-2010.

Horizon 1 focuses on grants management:

• Proposal Tracking (PT) module: provides functionality to manage a grant application from the time of submission to the Research Office to award notification and on to project completion. It is the means for accessing and managing the data recorded about grant applications and research projects. Designed for use by research administrators.
• Proposal Development (PD) module: provides an online portal for preparing and submitting grant applications. Designed for use by researchers.
• GENIUS module: holds information relating to researchers and feeds the data into other RIMS modules. This is a foundation module that forms part of the system set-up.

Horizon 2 focuses on research outputs:

• Research Output Development (ROD) module: provides an online facility for capturing research outputs and associated verification material. Designed for use by administrators in the faculties, and/or researchers.
• Research Output Management (ROM) module: inherits submission details from the Research Output Development module and provides tools to track, assess and report on research outputs. Designed for use by administrators in the Research Office.

Horizon 3 focuses on research clearances:

• Human Subjects Development (HSD)
• Human Subjects Management (HSM)
• Lab Animals Development (LAD)
• Lab Animals Management (LAM)
• Environmental Safety Development (ESD)
• Environmental Safety Management (ESM)