About RIMS
UQ’s significant investment in world-class research infrastructure across a broad spectrum of facilities has enabled multiple platforms for research excellence. Success at attracting state and national funding has placed UQ in a strong position with respect to its research infrastructure.
Through the implementation of the Research Infrastructure Management System (RIMS), a cloud-based, centralised online research infrastructure management and booking system, UQ is transforming the way researchers identify and access research facilities, instruments, consumables and services within the University, accompanied by a comprehensive equipment and facilities website.
There are several facilities at UQ using RIMS to date. The research infrastructure available at these facilities can be sourced via RIMS. The Project Team continues to work collaboratively with facilities to ensure that the RIMS application provides for effective access to, efficient management of, and high-quality data on, research infrastructure use across UQ through ongoing enhancements to RIMS. The team also provides business analysis and implementation support to facilities to assist them in embedding RIMS in their infrastructure management business processes.
The benefits of RIMS
The RIMS platform provides easy access for the UQ research community through single sign-on, and a simplified and consistent method for researchers and external collaborators to identify and access UQ’s research facilities, equipment, and infrastructure, enabling:
- delivery of timely research results through broader access to state-of-the-art equipment.
- support for UQ’s strategy to expand the quality and scale of mutually beneficial engagement with industry.
- opportunities to collaborate with UQ’s top researchers.
- the identification of transferable skills in centralised training records, reducing duplication of training effort.
- maximum use and operational efficiency of UQ’s research infrastructure and resources.
RIMS also enables significant process efficiencies in the management of research infrastructure within and across facilities at UQ, inclusive of:
- pre-approval of financial accounts and significant reduction in manual processes for invoicing.
- training prior to using equipment and OH&S induction and documentation.
- increased monitoring of equipment usage, training, and projects.
- integration with other UQ systems e.g., the UQ finance system (internal clients).
- better reporting, standard or customized, and statistical analysis of equipment.
A suite of RIMS training guides and supporting videos are available via the RIMS System Training Hub
For further information on the RIMS project, contact the Project Manager, Mr Terry Wilkinson on email terry.wilkinson@uq.edu.au