The client, a logistics company managing 5 hubs and 97 depots, tasked us with revamping their 11-year-old desktop application into a modern web application integrated with Transport Management Systems (TMS). This application serves various user roles, including super admins, hub admins, depot admins, general users, and gatehouse users.
I joined the project after the requirement gathering phase. As the sole product designer in the newly formed Product design team, I faced a challenging situation. The logistics domain was unfamiliar to me, but my experience with UX in several B2B applications made the learning curve somewhat manageable. Understanding the flow of cargo was both challenging and interesting. Despite these hurdles, I completed the UX and first phase UI confirmation within 150 days.
The logistics company's legacy desktop application had become a significant bottleneck. It was slow, cumbersome, and out of step with modern usability standards. Users struggled with the outdated interface and inefficient workflows, leading to frustration and reduced productivity.
One of the user remarks from user interview session: "Navigating through the current system feels like being stuck in a maze. It's time-consuming and frustrating.”
A complete redesign and development of the application into a modern web-based platform. The new application needed to maintain the core functionalities users were familiar with while introducing improvements to usability and efficiency. Our approach was to create a seamless transition to a more intuitive, efficient, and visually appealing system.
The primary challenges were:
<aside> <img src="/icons/pencil_gray.svg" alt="/icons/pencil_gray.svg" width="40px" /> Preserving the integrity of essential features from the old system.
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<aside> <img src="/icons/friends_gray.svg" alt="/icons/friends_gray.svg" width="40px" /> Ensuring a smooth transition for all user types.
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<aside> <img src="/icons/bullseye_gray.svg" alt="/icons/bullseye_gray.svg" width="40px" /> Integrating complex logistics data in an accessible and intuitive manner.
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