Getting started in the administration panel

This page covers the basic tasks to understand before you begin working with MARTA data and timetables.

How do I open MARTA?

MARTA is available in the Joomla administrator area. The standard sign-in address is:

https://example.com/administrator

If the administrator address has been changed, or you do not have sign-in details, contact the website administrator.

After signing in:

1. Open the Components menu.
2. Select MARTA.
3. Open the Dashboard if it is not displayed automatically.

MARTA Dashboard

The Dashboard is the main starting point in MARTA. It contains shortcuts to the areas available to the signed-in user:

• Buildings and Rooms — the locations where activities take place;
• Class types and optional Levels — information describing the activities offered;
• Instructors — the people who run activities;
• Groups (classes) — the groups placed on the timetable;
• Schedule — standard weekly schedule entries;
• Schedule periods — schedule variations that apply temporarily.

The shortcuts and buttons displayed can depend on the MARTA configuration and the account’s permissions. A missing Add or Edit button does not necessarily indicate an error: the user may have read-only access or permission limited to publishing data.

Recommended order for initial setup

MARTA data is interconnected, so enter it in the following order when using the system for the first time:

1. Add the buildings.
2. Add rooms and assign them to the correct buildings.
3. Add activity types.
4. If levels are enabled, add the activity levels.
5. Add the instructors.
6. Create groups or classes and assign the prepared information to them.
7. Add the first Continuous schedule entries.
8. If temporary variations are required, create schedule periods.

Following this order ensures that the required items are already available in selection lists when you create groups and timetable entries.

Working with lists

Most MARTA areas consist of a data list and a form for adding or editing an item.

Depending on your permissions, you can use lists to:

• search for and filter items;
• open an item for editing;
• add new items;
• change publication status;
• move items to the archive or bin.

Save changes in an open form before moving to another part of the administrator area. If a form cannot be saved, check the required fields and the message displayed by Joomla.

Data states

MARTA items can be published, unpublished, archived or moved to the bin.

• Published — the item is active and can be used in the timetable.
• Unpublished — the item remains stored but is temporarily disabled.
• Archived — the item is retained outside the current list.
• Binned — the item is waiting to be restored or permanently deleted.

Items required by related forms should be published. For example, an unpublished room may not appear when a new timetable entry is created.

If MARTA or a function is not visible

First:

1. Refresh the administrator area.
2. Confirm that you are using the correct website and account.
3. Clear any active filters above the data list.
4. Ask the administrator to check your permissions.

A normal administration panel user should not modify component files, database tables or the global Joomla configuration.

What next?

Begin entering data with Buildings. Once the first building exists, you can assign rooms to it.