Introduction
PureCount successfully transformed their outdated inventory counting system that required counters to carry laptops in backpacks into a modern, efficient solution. The project delivered a mobile-first application with voice recognition capabilities, coupled with a web-based administration platform. This new system not only streamlined the counting process but significantly reduced counting time by eliminating manual entry.
Key achievements
- Successfully developed and integrated voice recognition capabilities
- Turned numerical data into an intuitive and user-friendly software
- Modernized a legacy system into a mobile app
Research
Understanding users through deep discovery
Our research phase began with a pre-discovery survey to understand user needs, followed by competitive analysis of existing inventory solutions. While these insights were valuable, we ultimately drew heavily from the stakeholders' experience with the original system.
From discovery, we determined that the product needed to serve four distinct user types - from Count Admin to the Counter - who all shared common frustrations with manual processes and high error rates. This validated our mission to create an automated system that would make counting both faster and more accurate.
Iterations
Crafting a human centered experience
I began with creating low-fidelity wireframes for both the desktop and mobile app. In the mobile app, I prioritized the voice recognition feature to enable developers to test these core functionalities in their intended environment. This was probably my favourite feature to design because I had full creative freedom over the interface and I had fun designing the different states of the voice recognition with icons and micro-animations. For the admin dashboard, I focused on the count management since it was the platform's core feature.
I conducted moderated usability tests with five participants, each completing five different count management tasks using Figma prototypes. The goal was to validate the system's usability, given the multiple steps users needed to complete during the counting process. The user testing revealed that despite the platform's complexity, participants found it easy to use and informative. They noted that the button placement and design clearly guided their actions, however some expressed uncertainty about specific task requirements.
Outcomes
Transforming inventory counting for the modern era
To complete the project, I applied the brand guidelines to the wireframes to ensure visual consistency throughout.
The mobile app stands out as the most impressive achievement of this project, in my opinion. I designed a system that leverages voice recognition technology to streamline inventory counting, significantly reducing time by eliminating manual entry.
Now that the MVP is complete, PureCount's next step is to acquire clients in which we can come back in to conduct real-world testing to validate the improved counting speed.
Reflection
Lessons learned along the way
The project scope expanded significantly during wireframing when the client identified essential features that weren't covered in the initial Discovery phase. Although this required adjustments to timeline and budget, it led to a more robust solution.
Working with complex numerical data and logic flows was both challenging and rewarding. The complex variance logic required thorough analysis of multiple scenarios, helping me develop my analytical thinking skills.