2800+ registered portal users
$100K+ saved vs building a custom-coded application
<3 months to launch the maker portal
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MIT's journey with Softr began out of a necessity for a more adaptable and user-friendly learning platform for Project Manus.
The original MIT maker portal, a custom Ruby on Rails application, caused users to struggle with rapid change requests and the need for enhancements (which couldn't be done without a developer).
Oliver Thomas, the Maker Digital Systems Architect at MIT's Project Manus, was looking for a system that was easier to use, one where “changes could be tried out quickly and rolled out safely if needed.”
Softr’s appeal for MIT lay in its seamless integration capabilities and its user-friendly nature. It supported key requirements for MIT’s makerspace portal, like connecting to Airtable as a data source and integrating with the university's single sign-on (SSO) system.
This allowed MIT to build data-driven pages tailored for various campus groups: makers, technicians, faculty, makerspace managers, and admins.
"The learning curve for Softr is approachable and not intimidating to users who have never coded," said Oliver.
One of the most significant benefits of Softr, added Oliver, is the ability to quickly create data-driven pages and interfaces. This feature allows users to interact with data without needing to delve into the complexities of Airtable or coding.
MIT's makerspace portal now boasts 2800+ registered users who rely on the site daily.
The Softr app, which replaced a custom-coded application that initially cost over $100K to build and maintain, was developed by a single person within a few months. It can now be updated and changed by many members of the community, democratizing the process of digital innovation.
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Looking ahead, MIT plans to expand its use of Softr in the education realm, including building a set of administrative dashboards, online learning content for makers, and enhanced data editing capabilities for makerspace managers and technicians.
"With Softr, we're able to experiment and innovate at the speed of conversation, which keeps everyone engaged and gives users a sense of control and ownership."
"Softr provided us with a unique combination of robust data management and feature creation tools combined with easy-to-edit content modules. This allowed us to directly engage our community in creating the interactive web application that best met their needs as makers on our campus."
