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The consultant’s dilemma: How a research management system solves data overload

By Chad Erwin

Every investment consultant knows the challenge: data comes from multiple sources — emails, spreadsheets, PDFs — and keeping it organized can consume a significant portion of the workweek. Time spent managing information is time not spent analyzing portfolios or engaging clients.

Consultants spend a disproportionate amount of their time just managing data — time that could be better spent delivering insights and building stronger client relationships. Curious how a modern Research Management System can centralize your research? Download the RMS Datasheet.

The pain point: Hidden cost of research overload

Investment consultants, OCIOs, and advisors are under constant pressure to provide accurate, timely, and actionable recommendations. But the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming:

  • Multiple data sources: Market updates, manager reports, spreadsheets, PDFs, and internal notes all arrive in different formats and at different times.
  • Siloed information: Insights stored in individual inboxes or personal folders are difficult for teams to access or share.
  • Inefficient workflows: Manually tracking manager due diligence or linking research to portfolios consumes hours that could be spent client-facing.

The result? Delayed recommendations, missed opportunities, and frustration for teams. Worst of all, clients feel it — when insights are fragmented or hard to defend, trust can erode.

Imagine preparing for a quarterly client review only to find that some manager updates haven’t been uploaded, while other insights are scattered across multiple systems. Pulling everything together eats into your prep time — and leaves you less confident walking into the meeting.

This inefficiency is why more firms are turning to a modern research management system software, purpose-built to solve data overload and strengthen consultant credibility.

The solution: Research Management System that works

A modern Research Management System (RMS) can turn this challenge into a competitive advantage. Instead of spending hours chasing documents, consultants can focus on delivering insights that matter.

With an RMS software for investment management research, your team can:

  • Centralize research: All manager reports, market notes, and analyst commentary are accessible on one secure platform.
  • Link insights instantly: Associate research with investment vehicles, strategies, portfolios, or managers in seconds — so critical data is never lost.
  • Automate data flows: Streamline updates from trusted data providers without manual entry.
  • Build an audit trail: Easily document due diligence and decision-making, reinforcing credibility with clients.
  • Collaborate seamlessly: Team members can access, update, and share insights in real time, improving consistency and response times.

 

 

By reducing manual effort and increasing access to insights, an RMS allows consultants to focus on what really matters: providing thoughtful, timely, and actionable recommendations to clients.

Unlike generic tools for financial advisors, a research management system is purpose-built for investment research, due diligence tracking, and team collaboration, helping consultants demonstrate value and accountability.

How an RMS builds trust with clients

Clients don’t judge consultants on how much data they’ve reviewed — they judge them on the clarity of their recommendations and the confidence with which they are delivered.

An RMS helps consultants:

  • Deliver faster, more accurate insights.
  • Strengthen credibility through clear documentation and due diligence trails.
  • Improve collaboration within teams, reducing errors and inefficiencies.
  • Free up more time to engage with clients and address their unique needs.

Imagine walking into a meeting knowing you have the complete picture at your fingertips. That confidence not only impresses clients but also strengthens the long-term relationship.

Request a demo to see how a Research Management System software can transform your consulting workflow.

Centralizing research isn’t just a productivity play — it’s a way to deliver better insights, faster decisions, and stronger client engagement.

 

 

 

By Chad Erwin