The Costume Department at the prestigious University of Theatre Arts in Amsterdam, renowned for its contributions to the performing arts, plays a crucial role in supporting not only its own students but also the National Ballet and the Film School. With over 9,000 costumes in its inventory, the department supplies essential wardrobe pieces for a wide range of performances and projects across these institutions. Managing such an extensive and diverse collection presents significant challenges, leading the department to adopt Booqable, a rental management software that has dramatically improved their operations over the past four years.
From manual work to digital efficiency
Before adopting Booqable, the Costume Department relied on a combination of manual record-keeping and short-lived equipment rental solutions. This approach was time-consuming, prone to errors, and unsustainable, given the department’s extensive inventory. Booqable offered a much-needed upgrade, providing a centralized system that could handle their complex needs.
Using Booqable barcodes in their own way
One of the standout features of Booqable for the Costume Department has been its barcode system. Barcodes are sewn into each costume, allowing staff to quickly scan items when they are borrowed or returned. This system has not only sped up the process but also reduced errors in tracking which costumes are out and who has them. The department even uses Booqable’s mobile app to scan barcodes on the go, ensuring that misplaced items can be identified and returned to inventory efficiently.
Utilizing tags to categorize orders
The department has found Booqable’s tagging feature useful for organizing orders across different departments within the university, such as the Film School and the National Ballet. This has made it easier to track costume usage and inventory across various projects and departments. Additionally, the theatre school can use these order tags to generate comprehensive reports on orders, providing valuable insights into resource allocation and department-specific needs.
They have also utilized Booqable’s customer database to manage sub-rentals efficiently. When a student needs a costume that is already rented out, the staff can easily access the database to contact the current borrower and coordinate a temporary return or transfer. This feature ensures that high-demand items can be shared among students, facilitating smoother operations and better resource allocation across different projects.
Simplifying the rental process
Booqable has been a game-changer for the University of Theatre Arts’ Costume Department, transforming a once cumbersome process into a streamlined operation. With its robust barcode system, customizable features, and responsive support team, Booqable has enabled the department to manage its vast inventory with greater ease and accuracy. As the department continues to explore and utilize more of Booqable’s features, it’s clear that the software has become an indispensable tool in their day-to-day operations.
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