Effective Solutions to Successful Business Transformation!
Tech Harbor ERP System - Transforming Sales and Resource Efficiency.
About Tech Harbor ERP System
Project Details
Tech Harbor ERP System is designed for convenient management of large companies involved in product creation and collaboration with distributors. It proves beneficial for directors, managers, marketers, lawyers, and finance professionals within the organization. This system is designed for 5 departments of the company: Management, Warehouses, Finances, Lawyers, Marketers. And there is also a separate interface for Distributors.
The system remains relevant and intuitively understandable for both tech-savvy individuals and those less familiar with progressive technologies. This Case Study explores how users address their daily work tasks based on their respective roles.
Problem statement
Create a functional system that will help automate business processes and help move away from doing business on paper.
My Role
UX Researcher and Designer / UI Designer
<span data-metadata=""><span data-buffer="">My Responsibilities
Conducting interviews, paper and digital wareframing, low and high-fidelity prototyping, conducting usability studies, accounting for accessibility, and iterating on designs.
Tools Used<span data-metadata="">
Design Process
The project methodology comprised identifying and empathizing with the problem, understanding its nuances, defining the problem, ideating solutions, translating designs, prototyping, and conducting testing.
This iterative process significantly contributed to organizing my thoughts and providing a structured approach.
01
Understand
User research / Qualitative interviews / Problem identification
02
Explore
Product hypothesis / USER JOURNEY MAP / Wireframes / Mockups
03
Materialize
Front-End Prototype / Test / QA Test / Edit Bugs / Implement
04
Alteration
After Implementing, we return to the desired stage of the Design Process
Understanding the User
User Research: Pain Points
- Convenience
Almost the entire interface includes tables and cards. The interface should be convenient and intuitive.
- Trust
“This service must be safe for our business and for the business of distributors cooperating with us.” (David)
- Navigation
Some users expressed their thoughts about the ability to add breadcrumbs to most screens. This will allow users to quickly scroll back a few steps.
- Accessibility
The interface will have night and day themes. The functions of increasing the text and reading from the screen have also been added.
User Research: Summary
I conducted several qualitative interviews and created empathy maps to understand the needs of users and their positive and negative impressions and emotions of using the ERP system interface. The main group of users identified by the research are working adults aged 22 to 65 who are engaged in intellectual development and do not have time for inconvenient and incomprehensible tasks.
This group of users confirmed the initial assumptions about users of the Tech Harbor ERP system, but the study also showed that the interface was convenient and understandable. But users need some time to get used to navigating within the system.
Persona: David
David is a co-owner of a large international business that works with distributors all over the world. He has a wonderful family. His son helps run the business and communicates with international customers. David is technically minded and therefore quickly learns modern technologies. However, his current systems do not communicate well with each other leaving David to pock up the slack-often by having to take many notes and later addressing each one through the different systems his company users.
It would be more convenient for him to control all processes with the help of one system instead of having to interact with multiple applications and needing to ensure one computer language can integrate with the other.
About
- Age – 46
- Education – Business Adelphi University
- Hometown – New York City, USA
- Family – Wife, son, daughter
- Occupation – Business owner
Goals
- Fast and intuitive performance of tasks depending on the role
- It is convenient to use in transport, on the go and on various devices
Frustrations
- Interface texts are too large for mobile devices
- Impossibility to edit distributor's personal information
- Hometown – New York City, USA
- Family – Wife, son, daughter
- Occupation – Business owner
Problem statement
David does not want to manage the company’s affairs by filling out papers, but wants to use a convenient system.
User Journey Map
Goal: to find a distributor and sell products to him/her online by signing a contract.
Starting the Design
Sitemaps
I took the time to check the structure tables that the general manager gave me, and I developed a Sitemaps – which helped me come up with ideas for the structure of the interface.
Sitemaps – helped to remove pain points of users in advance and make the interface intuitively convenient to use in any situation. On the main screen, it is very easy to immediately go to the desired functionality.
Digital Wireframes
The ERP system consists of five departments and an interface for the Distributor. I created Wireframes of all the screens and showed user paths for each department.
I also worked closely with developers and team managers to understand the functionality of the system. We gathered for BRAINSTORMING SESSIONS and analyzed the design and logic of all departments.
Mockups
After conducting a second usability study, I found that search fields, filters and some buttons should look bigger on smartphones and tablets. Larger margins were also added between input fields and buttons – so that users click exactly on the elements they need.
I tried to follow the principles of the responsive mode and only slightly reduced the font size in some elements.
Responsive Design
Accessibility Considerations
I also used a sans-serif font family “Poppins” – for easy reading of texts in the application.
I used colors and contrast for input fields and buttons to make it convenient and understandable for people with weak vision.
I created a dark theme design for convenient use of the ERP System by various users.
Going Forward
Design System
During the course of the project, I meticulously crafted a comprehensive Design System tailored specifically for the ERP System. This endeavor involved a continuous refinement process, wherein the system organically expanded and evolved with the addition of new elements and components over time.
By integrating this Design System into our workflow, we achieved notable improvements in efficiency and productivity. It facilitated the seamless design of new functionalities, enabling rapid iteration and refinement, while also streamlining the process of implementing global updates across the system.
Next Steps
User-Centric Testing and Documentation
The forthcoming phase will involve rigorous testing of the ERP system’s usability and functionality. Any identified issues or errors will be meticulously documented, and tasks will be strategically delegated among the team. This iterative approach ensures that every aspect of the system aligns seamlessly with user needs and expectations, fostering a user-centric and efficient environment.
User Interviews to Propel System Enhancement
To continually refine usability and alleviate user pain points, the ERP system will undergo qualitative interviews with its users. This hands-on approach allows us to delve into user experiences, gather invaluable feedback, and implement targeted improvements. By prioritizing user insights, we aim to create an ERP system that not only meets but exceeds user expectations.
Inclusive Usability Research for Accessibility
Embracing inclusivity, the ERP system will undergo multiple rounds of usability research specifically tailored for individuals with disabilities. This forward-thinking approach ensures that our product becomes more accessible, fostering a seamless interaction experience for everyone. By prioritizing accessibility, we are committed to creating an ERP system that truly caters to diverse user needs.
In Summation
Elevating the ERP system’s performance involves a holistic strategy encompassing comprehensive testing, user-centric enhancements, and a commitment to accessibility. By prioritizing user feedback and inclusivity, we’re not just optimizing the system; we’re cultivating an environment where every user’s needs are met.
Link to the website of the company for which ERP System was developed: rifbar.com.
Impact
Users responded positively after the first month of using the ERP System, which will help automate most processes in business. Here is one quote from a user:
“For me, time is money – this product allows me to save more time and, as a result, to save my company’s budget.”
What I Learned
When I created the first version of the ERP System, I learned to use empathy and get rid of my own prejudices. Usability research has helped to improve functionality, which will positively affect user interaction and affect the development of his business.
Thank you for taking the time to review my Case Study "Tech Harbor ERP System".
We will create a creative design for you and build a website from scratch.
There is the creative design of my daughter Maria