Envisionware
Information Sheet
Differences between queueing system and
a reservation system.
A queue is a first-come-first-serve
system in which customers wait in line upon arrival until it is their turn or service
start time. The customers cannot make
requests in advance for a session start and end time.
A reservation system allows the customer to
schedule/reserve a service start time so there is no need for them to wait in
line. Envisionware is a reservation system which is very different from both
past queue systems used by HPL customers and staff. In a reservation system,
each request is processed immediately and the response of the booked session,
beginning and ending time, is generated and can be printed for the customer.
Both the queue and reservation system permit
guest passes, however the guest passes from Envisionware take less time to
print and give a clearer copy. Guest
pass lasts 24 hours.
Computer screens offer the option of using an
rss feed to push out information and promote programs.The Envisionware home screen gives clear
directions to the customer on how to access a computer through the reservation
system.The Envisionware home screen meets our branding
design of Linking You to the World.Reservation system allows a reservation
for a computer to be placed in the library and in the future, at home, by
customers. Customers may reserve the time slots they want in advance.
Reservations will be made during normal
business operating hours due to computers being placed into Deep Freeze during
non-operating hours.
The Reservation system would allow
customers with a MyLink card to reserve laptops as well as desktops. Laptops that the location does not want to
make available because they are using them for a program or training can be changed
to Out of Service so they are unavailable in the reservation system.
Customers must begin their session
within five (5) minutes of the reservation start time.
Reservations placed after all computers
have been booked are made based on the earliest availability of the next
computer in a 60-minute block of time.
Each customer is allotted one (1) hour
per session.
- · Ten (10) minutes before the session ends, the customer receives a prompt of the time the session is ending so the customer may save their work product.
- · Automatic extension of 15 minutes if computers are available. The system checks at four (4) minutes prior to the reserved end time if other computers are available.
- · If computers are not available, then the session will end at the reserved end time. The customer would have to make another reservation.
- · Staff cannot guarantee after the 10-minute prompt whether the session will be extended because of the unknown variable of when other customers may arrive.
- · The customer can book one hour at a time in advance.
- · Time exchanges: If another person’s session ends early, another customer is offered the option of waiting for their session start time or using the available time left on the first person’s session. If the second customer chooses this option, then they lose their other reservation. If the second customer declines this option, it will be offered to other customers.
Customer Education
- · Inform the customers of what a reservation system is.
- · Let customers know about the advantages of a reservation system.
Staff
- · The staff portal is intuitive and easy to use.
- · Suggest staff refrain from giving extensions of time except in emergency situations. Staff are empowered to make these decisions.
- · The primary drawback in staff giving exemptions is that the system no longer works as it was designed to work as a reservation system.
- · Staff should honor customer requests to help them make a reservation. Using the staff portal, staff can make a 2-hour reservation instead of a 1 hour reservation for customers who are taking an online test or completing a job application.
- · The reservation system works best when not treated like a queue system.
Printing
- · Mobile printing will be available. Print jobs will only be available for 3 days.
- · Customers will be able to preview print jobs before sending to print.
- · Printing will be available on the web portal using an URL, and mobile App.
- · Browse the computer, upload, then go to the Self-Service station and release the print job. Library card or gest pass number is needed to retrieve jobs. Email address will be required for mobile prints.
- · Can use USB /flash drives
- · Can print from email
- · Existing print cards will not work with Envisionware.
