OnCore Scheduler 1.0

1
OnCore Scheduler 1.0
A Web based scheduling systemfor core facilities
shared resources
Developed byBiotechnology Computing Facility
2
Biotechnology Computing Facility
BCF
Enabling digital discoveries for the biological
sciences
3
Biotechnology Computing Facility

• Part of Arizona Research LaboratoriesDivision of
  Biotechnology
• Provides research support in the field of life
  sciences informatics at The University of Arizona
• Facility specializes in the following areas
• Bioinformatics
• Molecular Visualization
• Image Processing
• Laboratory Management Systems (LIMS)
• Hands on training and workshops
• Software development Consulting

4
OnCore Modules

• Online Core Facilities
• DNA sequencing, MicroSatellite, Microarray, DHPLC
• Reengineering cores for higher throughput and
  efficiency
• Reduced cost
• Higher customer satisfaction
• Easy access to data
• Consistent user interface

5
Scheduling The evolution

• The tablet circa lt1970
• The clipboard circa 1980
• The web calendar circa 1994
• The OnCore scheduler circa 2002
• The tablet PC circa 2004 ?

6
Current Scenario

• The busy scientist

7
Current Scenario The limitations

• Scheduler for cores do not talk to each other
• Personal schedule and core schedule do not talk
  to each other
• Granting agencies are asking for detailed usage
  reporting and tracking
• Applying for new (instrumentation) grants
  requires detailed documentation of usage
• Billing, accounting for usage is getting complex
• Individual labs also have shared resources
• Data acquired in various cores is hard to track

8
Current Scenario Functional Limitations

• Current online system was developed in 1994 and
  relied on technology of that era
• We have "patched" to add new functionality but
  now it is at the end of its life cycle
• Lacks reminders, personalization, customisation
• Difficult to create and maintain "restrictions"
• Lots of scope for improvement

9
Users It would be nice if....

• Core calendars talked to each other
• I could get reminders (on e-mail and my pager,
  cell phone)
• Have a personalized calendar of core resources I
  have signed up for
• My personal calendar (palm etc.) would interface
  with my personalized calendar
• I could remember my password !

10
Investigators It would be nice ....

• See the overall usage for my lab
• 's per grant spent on a specific core
• See usage by individuals
• Put my lab microscope, mice, fly, gerbil feeding
  schedules on line !
• No one other than my lab can sign up for our
  confocal or feeding the gerbil
• Find DATA gathered by individuals after they are
  gone !

11
Core Managers It would be nice ....

• Approve users (laser safety ?) before they can
  sign up
• Send announcements to all active users or users
  signed up for specific time/date range (faulty
  settings ?)
• Warn users of downtime, closure
• Control hours when equipment is available
• Know if user needs something special for a
  session (lenses, assistance, 5 lasers, HAZMAT)
  when they sign up
• Track usage (confocal hours by training and
  regular use)
• Minimize time spent on entering accounting
  information or complex reports
• Retire (BAN) users !

12
Computer Support It would be nice ...

• ...You really don't want to know !
• And I am prohibited by university policies to
  list it here !
• Easy to create/delete new calendars
• Easy to maintain calendars
• Single login for all calendar
• Reset/forgotten password retrieval
• Data was organized for easier backups

13
The New Generation Scheduler 1.0

• Single login (for all dept. lab resources)
• Detailed profile which can be updated (PI,grants,
  contact etc)
• Ability to have PRIVATE personal calendar
  (listing upcoming events)
• Ability to interface PERSONAL calendar and core
  calendar (warn of overlap)
• Customizable reminders, waiting list
• More during the live demonstration ...

14
The Next GenerationScheduler 1.0

• Ability to add notes to your session
• Track data acquired during sessions
• Search notes and pull up data
• Grant other users access to view your data
• Organize data (next version)
• Track usage etc.
• Automated Billing

15
Some Terminology before the demo

• Resource Nikon Confocal, FACS
• Session The time slot you have signed up for
• Event What is happening during the the signed up
  time (cy3 insitu ..)
• Description Detailed (optional) information
  about the event (noble prize winning pictures of
  gerbil)
• Schedule Calendar

16
Acknowledgement

• Current Calendar was developed using the source
  from Selena DelSol and modified (a whole lot) by
• Amit Pandey (Under Graduate Student)
• Terrill Yuhas (You know him)
• Scheduler 1.0 is developed using small bits from
  various opensource calendars with MAJOR additions
  and modification by
• James Jeffers (ARL Biotech. Comp.)
• And many users who helped us refine it

17
Scheduler Main Page Resources
18
SchedulerAnatomyMonth view
19
SchedulerAnatomyEvent Signup
20
SchedulerAnatomyMonthView
21
SchedulerAnatomyPersonal Schedule
22
SchedulerAnatomyEvent options