Equipment Reservation
System
How Connect2 supports student self-service
Equipment Reservation
System
How Connect2 supports student self-service
Students often enjoy making their own reservations in Connect2 – it’s a truly great experience for them. So there’s no resistance or lag in getting students to adopt using it. This quickly saves staff hundreds, if not thousands, of hours every semester. Here’s how:
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Connect2 makes it easy for students to book their items in advance, helping them to browse and select the items they need, add them to their cart and agree to terms and conditions. It’s a familiar online experience most students are happy to repeat
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Images and information on each item help students choose the right equipment for their needs
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A ‘frequently booked with’ feature assists students in adding the necessary accessories and battery packs etc to their booking
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With students able to manage their own reservations, it removes a heavy admin burden for staff
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Further time is saved when picking up the equipment as staff can review and prepare for the scheduled checkouts at a time that suits
Filter and search
The Connect2 interface is designed to help students find the items they need. They can filter on categories and tagged item data, or use a search box. It’s even possible to refine searches to only those items available on the critical dates required.
Visual appeal
Students like using Connect2 because of the clean, modern interface and abundance of useful images. You can include several images of each item along with descriptive text and links. If a user isn’t quite sure of the exact items or models needed, the visual clues and extra info are a big help.
One project, one booking
With the multiple item/single booking approach, managing equipment access is easy to do. If a user needs to change a pick up or return time, they only need to alter this in a single reservation. Or if they want to book the exact same items another time, they only need to copy a previous booking. There’s even a recurring booking feature.
It’s a relief for staff too. Most students approaching the checkout desk will have a single reservation to look up and fulfil. For those preparing checkouts in advance, it also makes it easy to spot if items are missing. So if a student forgets to book a tripod as part of their shoot for instance, they can take note or even advise them in advance.
Kit list support
The amazingly simple reservation process in Connect2 enables students to painlessly build and then secure their kit lists. Items can be browsed and added to the cart before a calendar helps them identify a suitable timeslot when all items are available for loan. If items are mistakenly missed off the list, it’s incredibly easy to remedy at the checkout desk.
Staff can add more resources to the existing reservation at this point. Crucially, Connect2 highlights the choice of return times available for the extra items. With these options made clear, they have opportunity to advise students on what will work best to fit in with their existing project dates and keep the lending arrangements as straightforward as possible. It helps ensure the whole checkout and return process remains straightforward – no matter how long the kit lists involved!
24/7 access
With growing expectation for 24/7 services, Connect2 has got it covered. Students can view availability of resources and make reservations at any time they please. Day or night, it’s a query that takes seconds. Once bookings are made, students can begin or resume their good night’s sleep, secure in the knowledge that critical items for assignments are safely reserved.
Renew and relax
If it’s important to allow your users to renew items online, Connect2 makes it simple. Giving students this option (if and when items are available) is a great help for when projects run over, and helps them avoid penalties. It also supports Connect2’s 24/7 approach – students can renew items anytime without the need to visit the desk.