Optimizing On-Site Steel Inventory and Logistics
Revolutionizing Field Operations with a Streamlined Mobile Solution
The Challenge
SONASID, one of the leading steel manufacturers in Morocco, faced significant challenges in managing their on-site inventory and logistics. The existing processes were largely manual, leading to inefficiencies, frequent communication breakdowns, and data inaccuracies. The company needed a robust solution to enhance field staff efficiency, ensure real-time data synchronization, and streamline logistics management.
Our goal was to develop an intuitive mobile application that could seamlessly integrate with SONASID’s existing infrastructure while improving operational efficiency.
Understanding the Users’ Needs
I began with on-site observations and interviews to validate assumptions and identify pain points. By spending time directly with field technicians and site supervisors in their daily work environment, I witnessed firsthand the challenges they faced. These included:
- Manual data entry delays that caused inventory discrepancies.
- Breakdowns in communication between the field teams and logistics coordinators.
- Limited visibility of shipment status, leading to inefficiencies in tracking materials.
Through interviews with field technicians, logistics managers, and site supervisors, I uncovered deeper insights into their workflows and frustrations. Field technicians, for instance, struggled with time-consuming manual updates prone to errors, while logistics managers emphasized the need for real-time shipment tracking to enhance coordination and efficiency.
Strategy and Prioritization
Building on the findings from the primary research, I conducted a secondary analysis to shape the product strategy and ensure we were solving the right problems. Using methods like affinity mapping, I synthesized key insights into actionable themes, identifying the most critical pain points to address. This process helped prioritize features that would have the highest impact, such as:
- A simplified, intuitive interface for updating inventory.
- Barcode scanning functionality to reduce manual errors.
- Real-time logistics tracking for enhanced visibility and communication.
Blueprinting the Experience
The design process started with user flows to map out key the tasks. Low-fidelity wireframes helped visualize these flows and ensure intuitive navigation.
To ensure the flows truly addressed user pain points, I adopted a feedback-driven approach. Regular feedback sessions were conducted with field technicians, site supervisors, and logistics managers. These sessions involved walking users through interactive wireframes to test clarity and usability at each step. Based on user input, adjustments were made to improve navigation and simplify task flows. priorities.
This process not only refined the design but also allowed for flexibility in reprioritizing features to meet evolving user needs.
Designing with Users in Mind
We adopted a tablet-first approach to ensure the app’s usability for field technicians who needed a larger interface for on-site tasks. The clean, minimalist design avoided clutter and distractions, enabling users to focus on critical operations without visual overload.
The app was developed using React Native, allowing seamless performance across devices while ensuring smooth integration into SONASID’s existing infrastructure.
Refining Through User Feedback
Usability testing with SONASID’s field staff revealed key areas for improvement. Some field technicians, especially those wearing industrial gloves, struggled to interact with smaller buttons in harsh environments. To address this, we enlarged interactive elements for better accessibility.
Site supervisors also requested a more intuitive logistics tracking interface to quickly view shipment statuses. We simplified the design by presenting statuses like “In Progress,” “Delivered,” and “Delayed” in a clearer, more visual format.
The feedback was remarkably positive, with one field technician stating:
“The app has made my job so much easier. I no longer stress about manual errors.”
This iterative process ensured the app was intuitive, robust, and tailored to SONASID’s operational environment, significantly improving user satisfaction and efficiency.
Project outcomes
The implementation of the app delivered measurable improvements to SONASID’s operations:
- 40% Reduction in time spent on inventory management.
- 30% Improvement in logistics efficiency, with real-time data synchronization eliminating delays in communication.
The Head of Operations at SONASID praised the transformation:
“The app has transformed how we manage our on-site operations. The efficiency gains have been remarkable, and it has had a positive impact on our bottom line.”
These results highlight the app’s success in streamlining processes, improving productivity, and delivering tangible business value for SONASID.
