How to use ORB

What is ORB?

ORB stands for Online Resource Booking, and it is UAL's way of booking access to Technical Resources across all its colleges and institutes.

All colleges and institutes use the booking system, but each college uses it slightly differently, with some using Moodle or other systems for managing certain assets.

Visit ORB - orb.arts.ac.uk

How CCI uses ORB

At CCI, we primarily use ORB to manage the booking of technical spaces, such as high-performance computers and laser cutters.

In future, we will also use it to manage the booking of high-value items like projectors, cameras and Wacom tablets.

What other systems does CCI use?

Laptop Lockers

With this system, you can walk up to a locker and loan a laptop for up to 10 hours at a time using your ID card. Find out more about loaning a laptop.

Other - Checkout

We also operate a system called Checkout, where you can loan lower-value items ad hoc, on-demand rather than booking them; you can see a list on this page.. To borrow this kit, please ask a technician for help.

How to access the CCI ORB

How to Login

You can log in to ORB using your UAL username and password:

  1. Go to orb.arts.ac.uk.
  2. Enter your UAL username and password.
  3. Press Login.

Screenshot of a web browser on the ORB login screen

How to make sure you are in the right store

It is essential you are in the CCI store; otherwise, you won't be able to access any of our resources; you can switch back and forth if you are a student studying across multiple UAL colleges and institutes.

You will always see your current store on the sidebar (students) or on the top bar (staff) in the Dashboard it will also be listed in the middle of the page:

Screenshot highlighting the 2 places where the store is indicated

How to change stores

You can change stores by clicking on either of these locations. On the next screen, select the store and press "Save & Close."

Screenshot of the change store screen.

Staff

Staff accounts are not created automatically, please contact the CCI technical team for access.

How to book a space using ORB

You can book a space at CCI by using the SISO app or in a or a web browser.

Step 1 - Login

For more information, see our guide on how to login to ORB and check your store.

Step 2 – Dashboard

From the Dashboard, when you first log in, click "Book":

Screenshot highlighting the Book icon on the Dashboard

Step 3 – Space Booking

From the next screen, select "Space Booking":

Screenshot highlighting the Space Booking option on the Book screen

Step 4 – Pick the space

Now you can pick from a list of Technical Resources; not all spaces are bookable; some are just first come, first served.

Screenshot highlighting a technical resource you can pick

Step 5 – Booking

Step 5A – Acknowledge the information pop-up

When you view the resource, you may be presented with a pop-up with important information about the resource, read it then close the box:

Screenshot highlighting the close button on the pop up modal information box

Step 5B – Select a resource

There are 2 ways to pick your resource. By default, you will see the "Asset List," which is a scrollable list of resources and times for a given day.

In most spaces, you can also switch to the "Floor Plan" view, select a specific resource and then see its availability for the given day.

Step 5C – Selecting a day

You can click on the blue underlined date to change to another day, by default, it will show the current date:

Screenshot highlighting the date change button

Step 5D – Selecting a time range

You can drag the time range around left and right by pressing and holding; this can be confusing on a computer as it doesn't scroll left and right with your mouse or trackpad.

To select a time, click one on the start time, scroll (drag) to the end time, and again click once on that. The time will be highlighted in blue:

Step 5E – Confirm

If you are on the Asset List, press Book after you've selected the time.

You must now read and agree to the ORB Terms and Conditions:

Screenshot showing the ORB Terms and conditions

Step 5F – Errors

Each resource has a different set of rules, for how near your booking can be, how many you can book at once, and for how long.

If your booking violates these rules, you'll get an error explaining that and will need to adjust accordingly:

Screenshot showing an error banner that reads: "Booking Request: Unfortunately you cannot request this item for Collection at this time. It is required that bookings must be at least 3hrs Omins before collection.
Please try another time slot (Ref: BAA016)"

Step 5G – Finished

You'll get a green tick confirming your booking.

More information about the resource

In the Asset List, you can click the blue underlined resource names to create a focused timeline and a picture of the item.

This is the same as clicking on the item in the Floor Plan view:

Screenshot highlighting the resource name in the Asset List

From here, if you click the name again in ORB, it will bring up even more information about the item:

Screenshot highlighting where the name is to click in the pop-up box

Which looks like this:

Screenshot of the detailed information screen

How to cancel a booking in ORB

You can cancel a booking by visiting ORB on the SISO app or in a or a web browser.

You can book a space at CCI by using the SISO app or in a or a web browser.

Step 1 - Login

For more information, see our guide on how to login to ORB and check your store.

Step 2 – Dashboard

From the Dashboard, when you first log in, scroll down a bit and click "Manage My Bookings":

Screenshot highlighting the Manage My Booking icon on the Dashboard

Step 3 – Find the Booking to cancel

Find the cancel button next to your booking, it may read "Cancel All" this will only cancel the booking inside its next to.

Screenshot highlighting the cancel all button next to a booking

Step 4 – Reason

Put a reason if there is one; this is not required, and confirm the cancellation.

Please don't leave important information in this box as it may not be seen, you can always post in Slack or ask a technician for help.

Screenshot of the confirmation screen

Step 5 – Cancelled

You'll see a red box confirming the booking was cancelled.

Screenshot of a pop up red box with Booking Cancelld and an X symbol

How to get the app

Step 1 – Install the App

The ORB app is called "smarthub" on both App Stores:

Android

Download and install the ORB app for Android.

iOS

Download and install the ORB app for iOS.

Step 2 – Login into ORB on a computer

Next, you must login to ORB on another computer.

Step 3 – Go to the APP feature of ORB in your browser

Step 3A - Open the menu

Screenshot highlighting the menu icon

Step 3B - Search "app" in the menu

Screenshot with the word app in the menu search box

Step 4 - Scan the QR code in the smarthub app

Screenshot of a QR code in the middle of the screen to scan in the app

Step 5 - Finish

Follow instructions on your phone to login to the app with your UAL username and password as normal.