Data insights for managing busy schedules

We’ve all been there. You know the information is in your system but how on earth do you get it out? And why isn’t all the information you need on the same page? Why do you have to look here, then there, then try to recall - what exactly was it you were doing again?! Sometimes you get interrupted half way through…

Many of our connect2 academic customers work in busy equipment loan stores and queues can form quickly, especially when faced with the following challenges:

• It’s been a quiet morning, then five students turn up unexpectedly to pick up equipment within seconds of each other
• An item is not on the shelf as expected – maybe it’s late back from a booking, or has been taken out of service for maintenance, who knows?
• An item has been returned broken but there’s a student scheduled to borrow it later that same day.

We’re constantly refining how easily our customers can view resource availability, and quickly checkout/in items to help deal with these scenarios. This was a big topic at our last user group, when customers talked about the information they need to run a smooth equipment operation. So we took it all on board, explored the options and developed a solution…

Knowing when the loans desk needs undivided attention…

When managing loans of equipment to students and staff, it’s a big help to know in advance who’s collecting what and when over the course of the day. It would help you to manage your time, knowing when you need to be available at the desk to issue out equipment or check it back in and if additional help is needed.

It’s a simple idea, and one that becomes a reality when using connect2 for inventory management and equipment bookings. More than this, it makes you aware if there’s a problem with an item scheduled for checkout that day – giving information on who’s yet to return an overdue item, whether it’s broken or out for maintenance.

For university and college departments using connect2 life becomes simpler. The connect2 system is designed to ensure students and staff stick to their scheduled borrowing times. This is achieved with automated notifications going out reminding users of their reservations. There’s also the ability for everyone to cancel or change bookings online which helps to minimise no-shows and keeps the online schedule updated. Plus you have the opportunity to impose fines for late equipment returns or missed bookings. And all our pages show ‘at a glance’ information that you can rely on.

Connect2 makes life easier for all involved in equipment lending and inventory management – we aim to reduce huffs, sighs and frowns from you and your students and increase the smiles all round! Please continue to let us know how we’re doing!