POSIM – Intuitive Inventory Management Platform For POS (Point Of Sales) Machines
Project Type
UI/UX Design
Duration
2 Months
Tools Used In This Project
My Role
UI/UX Designer
My Role
Nicole - UI/UX Designer
Dora - UI/UX Designer
Nicolas - Developer
Deriq - Developer
Contributions
User Research
Competitor Analysis
Design Sprints
Design Iterations
User Surveys
Design Decisions
User Testing
Information Architecture
Overview
My team at BCIT developed POSIM, a platform for companies like IOT Pay to manage their POS machines, aiming to help similar companies streamline their inventory systems.
The Problem
IOT Pay, a company specializing in mobile payment solutions that supports an array of payment networks, is struggling with tracking the deployment and status of their POS machines, which are currently managed through Monday software. This system fails to provide critical information such as which merchant is using a terminal, installation details, and the sales history of each machine
"How might we integrate a tracking system for IOT Pay that enhances payment terminal management by ensuring transparent usage, installation, sales history, and providing actionable insights on operational status for optimal performance?"
Proposed Solution
Our proposed solution is to develop "POSIM: POS Inventory Management" a streamlined service designed for businesses like IOT Pay, offering a intuitive way to manage and track POS terminal inventories. With capabilities mirroring Monday.com, POSIM ensures efficient access to terminal data, enhancing operational clarity and decision-making for IOT Pay's inventory processes.
User Research
Competitor Analysis
I conducted an analysis of competitive inventory management systems to identify best practices and areas for innovation. This strategic review is pivotal in positioning POSIM to meet and exceed industry standards, addressing gaps in the current market offerings.
Monday
Pros
😀 Customization user interface
😀 Easy access
😀 Constant tracking
😀 Collaboration
Cons
🙁 Customizing options
🙁 Time Consuming
Clear Spider
Pros
😀 Real-Time Inventory Visibility
😀 Integrated Shipment Tracking
😀 Customer Inventory
😀 Scalable Cloud Platform
Cons
🙁 Complexity small operations
🙁 Interface is a learning Curve
Affinity Mapping using FigJam. Click to Zoom
Identified Needs
We have identified two key features that require prioritization for the design of our app.
These features include
1) Inventory for detailed tracking
2) Dashboard for at-a-glance monitoring of key metrics and statuses
These features, takes the following into consideration
Real-time Visibility
Users require access to accurate and up-to-date information on POS inventory levels and transactions to make informed decisions and manage operations effectively.
Efficient Processes
Users seek streamlined processes and tools for managing stock levels and tracking POS inventory, aiming to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual efforts.
Enhanced Insights
Users value features such as customizable reporting and analytics to gain deeper insights into POS inventory performance and trends, enabling proactive decision-making and strategic planning.
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User Survey
I conducted quick user surveys to gather data directly from end-users. These discussions were useful in understanding the practical challenges and specific needs faced by individuals when interacting with current inventory systems.
Solution
Why We Chose a Platform-Based Solution?
The UX research revealed key pain points in managing POS machines, such limited visibility into machine status, inefficient tracking, and a lack of actionable insights. The platform-based solution will directly address these issues by offering real-time data, intuitive tracking, and tailored reporting. This platform provides a centralized, scalable platform, which a process change alone could not achieve as effectively. This approach enhances efficiency and reduces manual effort, solving the core challenges identified through user insights.
Minimum viable product (MVP)
The MVP focuses on essential features that fulfill the core objectives of facilitating match discovery, scheduling, and player management.
Search &
Filter Functionality
Implement search and filter capabilities to quickly locate specific machines based on criteria such as machine ID, location, or status. Enable users to apply filters to narrow down search results and find relevant information efficiently.
Management Dashboard
A central dashboard providing an overview of all POS machines registered within the system. Display essential details such as machine ID, location, current status (active/inactive), and last activity timestamp.
Machine
Tracking & History
Track the lifecycle of each POS machine, including installation, activation, deactivation, and any maintenance or service activities. Maintain a chronological log of all actions performed on each machine, along with timestamps and user identifiers.
Inventory
Management
Basic inventory management functionality to track the availability of POS machines. Allow users to add new machines to inventory, update machine details, and mark machines as deployed or decommissioned.
Reporting
& Analytics
Basic reporting features to generate insights into machine usage, deployment status, and inventory trends. Provide pre-built reports and simple analytics dashboards to visualize key metrics such as machine utilization rates and deployment efficiency.
Click to Zoom
Design Sprint 1: Inventory Feature
For the first design sprint we focus on finishing the Inventory page that consist of two sections;
1) Outbound
2) Inbound
Outbound - refers to sending POS devices to vendors or clients. This includes new devices, replacements, and additional units. The inventory page tracks all devices that have left the warehouse and are on their way to their destinations.
Inbound: The inbound process tracks POS devices coming back from vendors or retail spots for repair, maintenance, returns, or upgrades, recording their condition and return reasons for inventory and quality control.
Inventory Wireframe: Click to Zoom
High-Fidelity Prototype: Click to Zoom
Design Sprint 2: Dashboard
For the second design sprint, our focus is on refining the Dashboard page, which is composed of three main components:
1) Overview of POS Status
This section offers a visual summary of the active, inactive, and maintenance-needed POS devices, allowing for quick assessment and action planning.
2) Inventory and Error Monitoring
The inventory monitor provides a snapshot of stock levels and device availability, while the error monitor tracks and displays system alerts, operational issues, and their resolution statuses.
3) Real-time Updates and Notifications
Integrates a dynamic update system that alerts staff instantly about changes in inventory status or system errors, ensuring that they can respond to issues proactively and maintain optimal operational flow.
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Dashboard Wireframe: Click to Zoom
High-Fidelity Prototype: Click to Zoom
UI Kit Design
Designed in Figma, the UI kit I developed for POSIM harmonizes components, iconography, typography, and color palette to ensure a visually consistent and user-engaging interface.
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Rapid User Testing
Renamed 'Person' to 'Customer' to alleviate user frustration over ambiguous terminology; testers suggested 'Customer' as it directly reflects the end-user involved with the POS device.
Updated 'Location' to 'Customer Location' in response to users wanting a clearer distinction that this field refers to the POS device's deployment site, as opposed to the device's physical storage location.
Added a 'View Status History' option beneath the 'Condition Status' tab following tester recommendations for immediate access to a machine's full status log, addressing their need to track and understand the device's performance over time without extra steps.
Words from users
"Managing our POS inventory has always been a logistical hurdle. With POSIM, tracking each device and accessing its history is now seamlessly integrated into our daily workflow. The intuitive interface and detailed analytics have significantly reduced the time we spend on inventory audits, allowing us to focus on improving client relationships and operational efficiency."
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System Operations Analyst
IOT Pay
Learnings
Proactive Communication
Understanding that clear, consistent communication within the team and with stakeholders is essential for aligning goals and expectations.
Adaptable Scheduling
Recognizing the need for flexible timelines to accommodate unforeseen changes and maintain project momentum.
Collaborative Tools
The effective use of collaborative platforms like Figma facilitated real-time teamwork and seamless transitions between project stages.
Iterative Design
Embracing the iterative nature of design, where ongoing user feedback is integral to refining and improving the end product.
User-Centric Approach
A reinforced commitment to user-centric design, ensuring that user needs and experiences drive the development process.
What's Next For POSIM?
