How do I justify my lab spending requests?

LabStats’ reports show which hardware and software are being used. If computers in a lab are consistently being fully utilized, or certain applications are always being used, then this data can be taken to prove additional resources are required.

The Application Launch History report segmented to show max concurrent usage can show how many instances of the same applications or websites are used at peak usage. Based on the number of applications available in a lab, easily determine if you need more or fewer of a certain application installed in a lab.

The Peak Usage History report in LabStats shows the highest number of computers in-use at the same time. If a lab is consistently at or near peak usage daily, then more resources might need to be allocated to the lab, or students might need to be redirected to less-used labs. Conversely, if a lab is consistently below max capacity, resources might be better used elsewhere.

The Usage History report shows the percentage of computer utilization based on lab open hours (How do I optimize my lab schedules?). The average utilization of several labs can be displayed to easily determine how many resources are being used.

Utilization reports are based on the number of hours used divided by the available hours. With schedules, lab utilization can be calculated only from hours in which the lab is open. Labs available for twenty-four hours and labs available for three hours can have different definitions of 100% utilization.

Run an Application Launch History – Max Concurrent Usage Report

Running this report, with the following chart criteria, will show the peak usage of the selected software applications for the selected group (lab). See if the application is near peak usage and easily determine if you have enough of the application for the selected lab.

1. Navigate to Reports. Then click the Application Launch History report.
2. Select the date range.
3. Click Including all Stations. Select the group (lab). Click Close.
4. Click All applications. Select the application(s) or application tag(s). Click Close.
5. Click Submit.
6. Click the report back arrow to switch the report to show max concurrent usage.

Run a Usage History Report

Running this report, with the following chart criteria, will show the percentage that each lab was utilized for the selected schedules. Check the percentage of utilization across the date range and easily identify how many resources are being used.

1. Navigate to Reports. Then click Usage History.
2. Select the date range. Select the appropriate Schedule option (Apply assigned schedules if schedules have been assigned to each group, or Apply a single schedule if the labs have the same schedule and it has already been created). Click Close.
3. Click Including all Stations. Select groups (labs) to include. Click Close.
4. Click Submit.

Run a Peak Usage History Report

Running this report, with the following chart criteria, will show the peak usage of each selected group (lab). See which have the highest average peak usage through the selected date range and easily identify if you need more hardware resources.

1. Navigate to Reports. Then click the Peak Usage History report.
2. Select the date range.
3. Click Including all Stations. Select groups (labs) to include. Click Close.
4. Click Combine results for selected groups
5. Select Separate results by group. Click Close.
6. Click Submit.