Finding and Browsing Resources

One of the first things you’ll do in Colabmacs is find resources you can use.

This guide explains how to browse, search, filter, and organize resources from a user’s point of view, so you can quickly find what you need and understand what steps (if any) are required before you can use it.

What Is a Resource?

In Colabmacs, a Resource is anything you can access, book, or request.

Common examples include:

• Equipment or machines
• Lab instruments
• Rooms or workspaces
• Tools or shared assets
• Staff-supported services

Each resource may have its own:

• Availability rules
• Training or approval requirements
• Scheduling constraints
• Usage tracking

Where to Find Resources

After logging in, navigate to the Resources section of the application.

Depending on your facility, this may appear as:

• A main menu item
• A dashboard shortcut
• A list or grid of available resources

You will only see resources that belong to your facility and are relevant to your account.

Browsing the Resource List

When browsing resources, each item typically shows:

• The resource name
• A short description
• Its current status (for example, Available or Restricted)
• Icons or labels indicating location, process area, or tags

Browsing is especially useful when:

• You are new to the facility
• You are exploring what is available
• You are not yet sure which resource you need

Searching for Resources

If you know what you’re looking for, use the search bar at the top of the resource list.

You can search by:

• Resource name
• Keywords from the description
• Common terminology used in your facility

Search helps you quickly narrow the list without manually scrolling.

Using Filters to Narrow Results

Filters allow you to quickly refine the resource list based on specific criteria. You can use one filter or combine several at the same time.

Available filters may include:

Location

Filter resources by where they are physically located, such as:

• Cleanroom
• Specific labs or rooms
• Facility zones

Process Areas

Filter by the type of process or capability, such as:

• CVD
• Lithography
• Metrology
• Fabrication or testing areas

Tags

Tags are short labels applied by your facility to help group similar resources. Examples might include:

• High temperature
• Wet process
• Staff-assisted
• Restricted access

State

Filter by the current state of a resource, such as:

• Available
• Unavailable
• Restricted

You can clear individual filters or use Clear All Filters to reset the list at any time.

Understanding Resource Status

Each resource clearly indicates whether you can use it right away or if additional steps are required.

You may see statuses such as:

• Available
  You can book or use this resource.

• In Use
  The resource has a current active session.

• Unavailable
  The resource is temporarily not accessible.

These indicators are designed to show you what to do next, not just whether access is blocked.

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Viewing Resource Details

Clicking on a resource opens its detail page, where you can find:

• What the resource is used for
• Any required training or certifications
• Booking rules or schedules
• Usage notes or special instructions

This information helps you decide whether the resource fits your needs before requesting access or booking time.

Using Favorites ⭐

You can mark resources as favorites by clicking the star icon on a resource.

Favouring a resource helps you:

• Quickly find frequently used resources
• Reduce searching and filtering
• Stay focused on the tools you use most often

Favorites and Your Schedule

Favorite resources automatically appear in your schedule view by default, making it easier to book and manage upcoming usage.

You can add or remove favorites at any time.

What If You Don’t Have Access Yet?

If you don’t yet have access to a resource, Colabmacs will guide you.

You may be prompted to:

• Request access
• Join or request required training
• Submit a request for staff assistance

You will always be shown a clear next step — you won’t be blocked without guidance.

Tips for New Users

Helpful Tips

• Use filters to narrow down large resource lists
• Favorite the resources you use most often
• Click into resource details before requesting access
• Don’t worry if access isn’t immediate — the system will guide you

Next Steps

Once you’ve found a resource:

• Review training and access requirements
• Submit a request if needed
• Book the resource when it becomes available

Continue to the next section to learn how training and access work in Colabmacs.