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Introduction: The Breaking Point of Manual Processes
For many research offices, growth is a double-edged sword.
More funding opportunities. More faculty participation. More proposals.
But also more emails, more spreadsheets, and more pressure to keep everything moving without missing a step.
That was the reality facing Brian Evans and his team at the University of Memphis.
As their programs expanded, their existing processes, built on email chains, spreadsheets, and manual tracking, simply couldn’t keep up.
Something had to change.
The Challenge: Growth Without Scalability
Like many research administrators, Brian’s team was responsible for managing complex workflows:
- Limited submissions
- Internal funding competitions
- Proposal reviews and approvals
- Communication with faculty and reviewers
But without a centralized system, these processes became increasingly difficult to manage.
Important details were scattered across inboxes. Deadlines required constant follow-up. Tracking progress meant digging through multiple files.
And as volume increased, so did the risk:
- Missed deadlines
- Inconsistent reviews
- Administrative burnout
This is exactly the kind of strain described by InfoReady customers. Teams expected to do more with less while managing growing complexity.
The Turning Point: Finding a Better Way
Brian and his team weren’t searching for “more software to manage”.
What they needed was clarity and control. One platform to bring their work together, a system that could grow alongside their programs, and a solution they could manage without heavy reliance on IT. As demand increased, it became clear that continuing with fragmented tools wasn’t sustainable.
That realization led them to implement InfoReady, giving the team a centralized, flexible platform designed to support their day-to-day reality while scaling with future needs.
The Solution: One Platform, End-to-End
With InfoReady, the University of Memphis transformed how their research office operates.
Instead of juggling tools, they now manage everything in one place:
Centralized Application Management
All submissions, documents, and communications live in a single platform eliminating scattered information and confusion.
Streamlined Review & Routing
Custom workflows ensure proposals move efficiently through review, with the right people involved at the right time.
Automated Communication
Notifications, reminders, and status updates happen automatically, reducing manual follow-up.
Real-Time Tracking & Reporting
At any moment, the team can see what’s submitted, what’s pending, and where decisions stand.
This aligns with InfoReady’s core value: enabling administrators to manage submissions, reviews, and decisions from a single, centralized system eliminating the chaos of emails and spreadsheets.
The Impact: More Capacity, Less Stress
The results were immediate and meaningful.
By replacing manual processes with structured workflows, Brian’s team:
- Saved significant administrative time
- Reduced errors and missed steps
- Improved transparency for faculty and reviewers
- Gained the ability to scale programs without adding staff
Just as importantly, they were able to shift focus.
Instead of chasing emails and tracking spreadsheets, they could invest time in:
- Supporting faculty
- Strengthening proposals
- Advancing institutional research goals
Why This Matters for Research Offices
The University of Memphis story isn’t unique, It’s representative.
Across higher education, research offices are being asked to manage more than ever before. Application volumes continue to climb, reporting expectations are increasingly complex, and teams are often working with limited staff and time. These growing demands can stretch even the most dedicated administrators thin, slowing processes and contributing to stress and burnout.
With a centralized, end-to-end platform, however, that pressure becomes more manageable. By bringing structure to complex workflows and creating consistency and transparency across programs, research offices can regain a sense of control. The right system doesn’t just improve efficiency; it helps teams turn administrative work into a strategic advantage, supporting both institutional goals and the people who make the work possible.
Final Thought: From Overwhelmed to In Control
For Brian Evans and the University of Memphis, the shift wasn’t just about efficiency.
It was about control.
Control over processes.
Control over data.
Control over their ability to grow.
And that’s ultimately what InfoReady delivers-
a way for research offices to do more, with less friction, and far greater confidence.
Want to see how InfoReady can streamline your research programs? Request a demo.
