Using Herman
Many projects at Meteor Studio leverage cutting-edge XR technology, requiring developers, designers, and artists to access various devices for development, testing, and quality assurance purposes. To maintain organization, security, and efficient resource allocation, we have established a standardized device checkout system. This document outlines the procedures for requesting, using, and returning devices, ensuring that all team members can access the tools they need while maintaining the integrity and longevity of our equipment. Following these guidelines helps us maintain our hardware investments and ensures equitable access to resources across all project teams.
Device management system
Our device management system is built into Herman, a custom Slack bot that streamlines the entire checkout process. Herman maintains real-time inventory tracking, handles checkout requests, and sends automated reminders for device returns. Team members can interact with Herman directly through Slack to check device availability, submit requests, and receive status updates on their checkouts.
Viewing available devices
Visit the Inventory Gallery to view all devices which are managed by the inventory system along with a count of how many of each device is available for checkout. Additionally, you can run the /check out item command in slack to search through all devices by name or even by feature for example the search "eye tracking" would show devices like the Quest Pro and Pico Neo3 Pro
Requesting a device
Once you've determined that you would like to check out a device from Meteor's inventory, you can request to check out that device through the Herman slack bot. Run the /check out item shortcut in slack, search for the device you want, and, as long as there is availability, select check out. Fill out the form and press request check out. This check out request will be sent to the DevOps team for fulfillment so just hang tight for a message from Herman that your device is ready for pickup. If you don't receive a message within a few business days, reach out to a member of the DevOps team.
Device is ready for pickup
When you receive a message from Herman that your device is ready for pickup, that means that a member of the DevOps team has removed the device from inventory and placed it at the designated pickup location. This location is currently the back left desk at the Stauffer lab however there will soon be a designated MIX location as well. If you prefer to pick up the device at MIX instead please reach out to a DevOps team member. When you pick up the device make sure to click the button in the message from Herman and scan the QR code located on the device to complete the checkout process.
Returning a device
When you are all done using a device you have checked out just drop off the device in the same location which it was picked up and run the check in item command in Slack. Select the device you are returning, fill in the device condition field if the device is in need of service, and press check in. That's it! A DevOps team member will handle placing the device back in inventory.