The Dashboard Team is dedicated to creating and refining a dynamic, user-friendly dashboard for Georgia Tech’s Invention Studio (makerspace) that enhances visibility into key aspects of studio activity, tool usage, and availability. Our primary focus is on developing and implementing a comprehensive solution that provides real-time and historical data on attendance, tool utilization, and machine availability, offering students and principal investigators (PIs) valuable insights for optimizing the studio’s resources and overall functionality.
Current projects center on enhancing the interactive dashboard with advanced features and robust backend systems. Key focus areas include implementing user authentication and personalization features, developing sophisticated dashboard capabilities, and refining the backend infrastructure. The dashboard provides sections that track attendance trends over time, current attendance, tool usage statistics, printer utilization, and detailed availability for both tools and printers. With these features, students have immediate access to essential information for efficient planning and studio management, while PIs can monitor long-term attendance and usage trends to make informed decisions on equipment maintenance, inventory, and resource allocation.
Methodologically, our approach involves integrating data from various sources (SUMS and 3DPrinterOS) within the makerspace into a centralized, responsive interface designed to be intuitive and accessible. We employ modern front-end and back-end technologies while maintaining a continuous feedback loop with users to ensure the dashboard remains scalable, reliable, and adaptable to evolving needs.
Looking to the future, our goal is to expand this dashboard to other makerspaces on campus, such as The Hive and The Mill. By scaling the dashboard across Georgia Tech’s makerspaces, we aim to establish a networked resource management system that not only improves individual makerspace operations but also fosters a unified and engaged maker community. Through this expanded platform, we hope to enhance the student experience across all campus makerspaces, support collaboration, and contribute to the university’s vision of innovation-driven learning environments.
The latest version of the live dashboard can be accessed here: https://dashboard.matrixlab.gatech.edu/
