The Office of Research Systems and Operations (ORSO)
The Office of Research Systems and Operations (ORSO) is responsible for developing and maintaining systems and processes that support the entire Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR).
ORSO consists of business process specialists, systems analysts, and help desk support personnel who maintain existing research administration systems (such as SPARCS), develop new systems and processes for supporting and streamlining the entire research enterprise, and provide a range of services described below.
Business Applications & Process Automation
SPARCS (Sponsored Projects and Research Compliance) provides online submission and processing for the following areas:
• Conflict of Interest (COI)
• Institutional Review Board (IRB)
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
• Funding Proposals (Proposals)
CMS
IDB
CCTEC
AMBER ROAD
FIP
- Manage the conceptualization, development, integration, deployment, maintenance, data migration, and upgrades for the various business applications (SPARCS, Share Point, etc.) to support the research enterprise
- Assist in streamlining internal processes that support faculty as they pursue new areas of research with traditional and non-traditional sponsors.
Data Services & Business Reporting
TABLEAU
- Manage the collection, abstraction, analysis, presentation and distribution of data in the various systems used by all relevant stakeholders for both operational support and decision making in a timely manner.
Training & Communication
CMS TRAINING
SPARCS TRAINING
- Provide training on the SPARCS application, other departmental systems/applications (including SharePoint, etc.), and processes that support the research enterprise using a mix of delivery channels that are measurably effective for the targeted audience.
- Communicate updates to the executives, business managers and other members of the campus research community.
Help & Support
SPARCS HELP DESK
The SPARCS Help Desk will respond to any new issues and updates within two business days.
For urgent SPARCS or Research Systems Operations related problems, please call:
412-268-3485 (M-F 7:30am – 4pm EST).
sparcs-help@andrew.cmu.edu
412-268-3485
- Desktop support / Technical Assistance
- Accounts – Commissioning and decommissioning system access
- Software installation
- Systems administration & configuration
- Office productivity applications (including SharePoint)