Computer Laboratory Management Services for Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd University Website

Abstract

To get the job done efficiently, we rely on technology that can speed up the process of our daily routine. In our world today where computers/devices are interconnected through the Internet, innovations have been made to make our jobs easier. When it comes to data processing and recording, we no longer use methods or recording through paper forms or logbooks. The computer laboratory is a facility that caters to services in terms of computer usage, request of equipment, and monitoring the resources. Scheduling, monitoring requests, and the availability of resources is not an easy task, and it may take a certain amount of time for the person requesting the services. Hence, this research is focused on innovating the way the users (Students, Lab Instructors) acquire services and the person (Lab technicians) who cater these services. By providing a system in the form of a web application that gives access to the users to schedule a reservation, to use a computer in the laboratory, make a request for installation of software or device and check the availability of the resources. The system is developed using the Laravel web framework following the model–view– controller (MVC) pattern. PHP is used to develop web pages using Bootstrap in the front-end design. And MySQL database for the repository. In the resulting system, the lab technician can monitor the computer lab usage, reservations, request, and the inventory of the computers and devices in the laboratory. The users will just access the website and select the services that are available or provided via cellphone, computer terminal, or any device with a web browser that is connected through the Internet. Therefore, there is now no need to go directly to the laboratory technician's office or email to file a service. Just log in to the system and wait for the notification for the service.