Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Atlas—from getting started to security and compliance.
General
What is Atlas?
Atlas is a research and expertise intelligence platform that builds a living knowledge graph of faculty expertise, research output, and collaboration. It transforms scattered institutional data into actionable intelligence for grant assembly, strategic hiring, and partnership development.
Who is Atlas for?
Atlas is designed for research offices, provosts, deans, department chairs, and center directors — anyone who needs to understand, coordinate, and act on institutional expertise.
What data does Atlas use?
Atlas ingests data from HR records, grants databases, publication repositories, and other institutional data sources to build a comprehensive, continuously updated picture of faculty expertise and activity.
How is expertise scored?
Atlas uses multiple evidence sources including grants, publications, collaborations, and institutional records to build verified expertise profiles. Each claim is backed by traceable evidence, so scores are transparent and auditable rather than opaque.
Features & Workflow
What data sources does Atlas connect to?
Atlas connects to HR systems, grants databases, publication repositories, course catalogs, and other institutional systems. The platform is designed to integrate with the data sources your institution already maintains.
How often is the knowledge graph updated?
The knowledge graph is updated continuously as new data becomes available. When a faculty member receives a new grant, publishes a paper, or takes on a new role, the graph reflects those changes automatically.
What export formats are available?
Atlas generates briefing packets, team recommendations, hiring justifications, and institutional reports in standard formats. Outputs are designed to be directly usable in proposals, board presentations, and accreditation documentation.
Can Atlas integrate with existing systems?
Yes, Atlas is designed to work with your existing institutional infrastructure. It reads from your data sources without requiring you to change or replace them.
Can Atlas be customized for our institution?
Yes, Atlas adapts to your institutional structure, terminology, and workflows. Expertise taxonomies, organizational hierarchies, and output formats are all configurable to match how your institution operates.
Security & Privacy
Who owns the data in Atlas?
Your institution retains full ownership and control of all data. Atlas processes data on your behalf — we never claim ownership, and you can export or delete your data at any time.
What access controls are available?
Atlas provides role-based access control with granular permissions for different user types. Administrators can configure department-level visibility, restrict sensitive data, and delegate access management.
Is Atlas FERPA compliant?
Atlas is designed with FERPA compliance in mind, with appropriate access controls and audit trails. Data handling practices are structured to protect student and faculty privacy in accordance with institutional policies.
Are there audit trails?
Yes, Atlas maintains comprehensive audit logging for all actions and data access. Every query, export, and administrative change is recorded with timestamps and user attribution for compliance and accountability.
Getting Started
What is the implementation timeline?
Typical pilot deployments take 4–6 weeks. This includes data source integration, configuration, and onboarding for your initial user group.
What does a pilot look like?
Pilots start with a subset of faculty and core use cases — for example, mapping expertise across one college or assembling teams for a specific grant program. From there, you expand to additional departments and workflows as value is demonstrated.
Is data migration required?
No. Atlas connects to your existing data sources directly; no data migration is needed. Your systems of record stay in place, and Atlas reads from them to build the knowledge graph.
What training is provided?
Atlas includes comprehensive onboarding and training for all user roles. This covers administrator setup, end-user workflows, and best practices for getting the most out of the platform.
Still have questions?
Our team is happy to walk you through Atlas and answer any questions specific to your institution.