Welcome to Colabmacs
Colabmacs is a platform designed to make it easy to access shared facilities, equipment, and services — without unnecessary friction.
As a user, Colabmacs helps you:
- Discover what resources are available to you
- Understand what training or approvals you need
- Request, book, and use resources confidently
- Track your activity, usage, and requests in one place
This guide explains how Colabmacs works from a user’s point of view, focusing on the actions you’ll take and what to expect at each step.
What Colabmacs Is
Colabmacs is not just a booking calendar.
It’s a system that connects:
- People (you and other users)
- Resources (equipment, rooms, tools, services)
- Rules (training requirements, access policies, schedules)
All of this works together to ensure:
- Fair access to shared resources
- Safe operation of equipment
- Clear expectations before you book or use anything
Core Concepts You’ll See as a User
You don’t need to understand how Colabmacs is configured behind the scenes, but you will see a few recurring ideas.
Resources
A Resource is anything you can use or request access to.
Examples:
- Lab equipment
- Machines or tools
- Rooms or workspaces
- Services provided by staff
Each resource has:
- Availability rules
- Training or approval requirements
- Usage tracking
Training & Access
Some resources require training or approval before you can use them.
Colabmacs clearly shows:
- What training is required
- Whether you’re already approved
- What steps you need to take next
You’ll never be allowed to accidentally book something you’re not authorized to use.
Requests
A Request is how you ask for something that isn’t immediately available.
You may submit requests to:
- Gain access to a resource
- Schedule training
- Ask for staff-assisted work
- Request exceptions or special approval
Requests help facilities manage work fairly while keeping you informed of status and next steps.
Bookings & Usage
When a resource is available to you:
- You can book it for a specific time
- Your usage may be tracked automatically
- You’ll see the status of your session in real time
This helps ensure accurate records and smooth coordination across shared spaces.
A Typical User Journey
Here’s what a common experience looks like:
- Browse resources available to you
- Check requirements (training, approvals)
- Submit a request if access is needed
- Complete training or receive approval
- Book a resource
- Use the resource
- Review your activity and history
Colabmacs guides you at each step so you always know what to do next.
What This Guide Covers
The User Guide will walk you through:
- Browsing and searching for resources
- Understanding training and access requirements
- Submitting and managing requests
- Booking and using resources
- Viewing your activity, sessions, and history
- Managing your profile and notifications
Each section focuses on what you need to do, not internal system details.
What This Guide Does Not Cover
This guide does not cover:
- Administrative configuration
- Billing rules or rate setup
- Facility management policies
Those topics are handled by facility managers and administrators and are documented separately in the Admin Guide.
Need Help?
If something isn’t clear:
- Check the relevant section of this guide
- Look for on-screen hints and messages
- Contact your facility staff or administrators
Colabmacs is designed to make shared facilities easier to use — if something feels confusing, that’s a signal we can improve.
Ready to Get Started?
Continue to the next section to learn how to:
- Find resources
- Understand access requirements
- Take your first steps in Colabmacs