Unlocking Efficiency in Asset Management: Introducing 'Bookings' (Beta)

Unlocking Efficiency in Asset Management: Introducing 'Bookings' by Shelf

In the realm of asset management, efficiency and clarity are paramount. Shelf, the open-source asset management platform, has long provided organizations with the tools to track long-term custody of assets with precision and ease. Today, we are thrilled to unveil our latest innovation – the 'Bookings' feature, a transformative addition that reshapes how assets are reserved and managed for short-term use.

The Inspiration Behind 'Bookings'

Our journey began with a simple insight: asset managers needed a more streamlined way to handle short-term asset reservations and bookings. Prior to 'Bookings', Shelf excelled at tracking which team member had custody of long-term assets, such as assigning a laptop to a specific individual. However, the need for a system that could handle temporary asset allocation, such as loaning out equipment for events or projects, was clear.

What 'Bookings' Solves

'Bookings' offers a comprehensive solution that allows asset managers and self-service users to reserve a group of assets for future dates, ensuring that every piece of equipment is used to its full potential without the risk of double-booking. This feature is not just about booking; it's about ensuring the right asset is available at the right time for the right person. Here's how it works:

Asset Availability Check: Before making a reservation, Shelf checks if the assets are already booked or available for the requested date and time.

Notification System: When a booking is requested, asset managers receive an email notification with all the details, including the booking period and the items requested.

Reservation & Check-Out Confirmation: On the date of the booking, the manager can mark assets as checked out in Shelf, and users receive confirmation.

Reminders: Users get reminders to return the assets, fostering responsibility and punctuality.

Real-World Applications

The 'Bookings' feature is versatile, serving numerous scenarios:

• Marketing Departments: Reserve promotional materials for events and ensure their timely return.
• Creative Agencies: Book gear for video productions, maximizing asset utilization.
• Educational Institutions: Enable students to loan gear for academic projects, fostering a culture of shared resources.

Streamlined User Experience

With an intuitive UI, Shelf's 'Bookings' allows users to:

• View assets' availability status at a glance.
• Employ advanced search and sorting capabilities for bookings.
• Assign custodians for accountability.

New user types

In addition to our 'Admin' and 'Non registered member' user type, we now have introduced the 'Self Service' user type. This is a user type which is created in order to allow for doing booking reservation requests. Self service users can only see limited areas of the application and cannot perform a checkout. They can only request a reservation of items for an asset manager to check out and check in.

The Path Ahead

As stated by our CEO, "At Shelf, we are committed to solving asset-related issues with technology and automations. We heard from hundreds of users that the batch checkout and reminders related to our bookings will save them hundreds of hours a year managing their assets. We are excited to be launching this feature to all of our users on the 'Team' plan."

Join the Revolution

Are you ready to streamline your asset management? Connect with us for a trial and experience the power of 'Bookings' – where efficiency meets innovation.

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