Relcom
components
A new design for an ERP software, used by an electronic components distribution company, made to simplify and enhance the main functions of usage for each user and scenario of the company's day by day workflow.
Research
I have been visiting my client in his office and workspaces, observing and asking questions about his workflow and habits. I have found that the most frequent activities they did where tracking of orders and follow ups on clients and inventory, the client easily pointed out the difficulties he encountered when using his current software and what was lacking to make his work easier.
The main issues derived from 4 screens which are here presented and they will be addressed in the new design.
Users and their needs
The core activity of Relcom is selling electronics components,
in this process there are mainly 3 figures involved, a manager, a sales agent and a logistic manager making this process more efficient means that these users need a more fluent and easy workflow each of them in his specific role and as a team.
Not all of the users are in the office during the day forcing them to communicate via phone or mails,
some users are only in the office and the one's in the storage facility are in a different area.
Making them communicate and being constantly updated was necessary.
Main screen
The main screen has a menu displaying the various tabs of the software, at the top bar more tools are present, most of them are not used notice the usage of hebrew.
Issues found
When typing both languages mistakes occur
Purchase order
Relcom buys and sells electronic components, a constant update of the purchases is needed to keep the demand and order
Issues found
No clear display of the relevant content, a lot of irrelevant content is present.
Client screen
The client page is filled with tables and various irrelevant columns, many unused tools are present in this screen.
No information about payment status of each client.
Issues found
A critical issue was the lack of knowing if a client approved a pending proposal
Orders
In the orders screen a detailed information about the actual order is shown but without it's correlation to the inventory and deliveries.
Issues found
This page is mostly updated by the logistics and viewed by other members when forming an order, a constant check needs to be done and a constant update as well
Product page
Each product has it's card, detailing quantities and general descriptions, it's basically a catalogue of all the products that Relcom trades with.
Issues found
This page needs to be updated manually each time a new product arrives or leaves the catalogue.
Most of the day I need my workers feedback on various operations of the business
Inbal A. | CEO of Relcom
Most of the day I need my workers feedback on various operations of the business
Inbal A. | CEO of Relcom
Usually i'm working out of the office while making appointents with clients.
IIan T. | Sales Agent
During the day i'm in the storage packing and receiving deliveries.
Michael R. | Storage Manager
Design objectives and solutions
The screens addressed in the design are the ones according the research and the issues raised by the users.
Some tabs from the original version are unified according the workflow and real life usage.
A mobile version is also a very practical solution for many functions workers need to do.
Based on Relcom's branding, the UI design aims to be simple, clear, visible and functional.
making the learning curve of all users as smooth as possible.
Usually i'm working out of the office while making appointents with clients.
IIan T. | Sales Agent
Most of the day i'm walking in the storage packing orders and receiving deliveries.
Michael R. | Storage Manager
Purchase order
Order scan
Update order
Testing and usage
The testing phase is constantly done with the reviews and help of the workers, so far most of the issues found in the research where successfully resolved, more to come as the work is always in progress.
Other users
Other workers are using in different ways and locations the software, using a mobile version solves their needs and makes the operations fully available and running to Relcom's full team.
Observing the usage and the users in a typical work day, defining the problems and issues raised.
RESEARCH
Defining screens and functions of the new design based on issues raised by the research
DESIGN
Testing how the design solves issues in a real daily work routine, constantly trying to find the optimal solution.
TESTING
Project case study
The process
Main screen
The main screen is a menu displaying the various tabs of the software, notice the usage of hebrew language causing flips when typing both in english.
Purchase order
Relcom buys and sells electronic components, a constant update of the purchases is needed to keep the demand and order
Client screen
The client page is filled with tables and various irrelevant content, many unused tools are present in this screen. No information about payment status of each client.
Orders
In the orders screen a detailed information about the actual order is shown but without it's correlation to the inventory and deliveries.
Product page
Each product has it's card, detailing quantities and general descriptions, it's basically a catalogue of all the products that Relcom trades with.