Through on-site research and observation of warehouse workers across 35 stores, I identified numerous pain points in their workflows, validating the initial hypotheses raised in the business requirements. Further insights were gained through in-depth interviews, allowing me to better understand the context in which different actors operated and performed their tasks and processes. This information guided the selection of tasks and processes to be included in the sales assistant, such as inventory validations, requirements, and regularly generated reports. Additionally, witnessing scenarios not evident in initial insight reports uncovered broader issues that had been overlooked at the project’s inception.

Scope of work

I engaged in extensive research with staff and managers to gain a comprehensive understanding of their needs and identify the root causes of any pain points. I then framed the problem as enhancing the user-friendliness and informativeness of the sales and inventory processes. To address this challenge, I employed a design thinking approach, generating a multitude of potential solutions and meticulously testing the most promising ones.

After thoroughly analyzing the project during the exploration and research phase, we crafted a comprehensive work schedule that encompassed the project’s entire scope. We divided the schedule into distinct stages, each meticulously designed to address specific project elements. These stages are defined as follows:

Approach with end users
Products Catalog
Billing
Onboarding
Customer Support
Logistics operation
Follow-up during implementation
QA and fixes (iterations)
The delivery dates for each stage and their respective deliverables (wireframes) were also determined.

Outcomes

After generating functional wireframes, prototypes were developed to facilitate user testing and validate design assumptions. Focus groups and interviews were also conducted to gather valuable insights, ensuring the product aligned with the business’s objectives and user needs within the project’s scope. The outcome was an intuitive mobile app that outperformed the existing software and effectively tracked and gathered valuable business information.

In today’s fast-paced retail environment, it’s crucial for businesses to provide their employees with the tools they need to work efficiently and effectively. A sales and inventory assistant can be a valuable asset for both salespeople and plant workers, providing real-time access to stock information and enabling them to assist clients anywhere in the warehouse.

Key Benefits of a Real-Time Sales and Inventory Assistant:

• Real-time stock checks: Salespeople and plant workers can instantly access accurate stock levels, ensuring they can always provide customers with the information they need.
• Enhanced customer service: With real-time stock information at their fingertips, employees can quickly locate products and answer customer inquiries, providing a seamless shopping experience.
• Improved efficiency: By eliminating the need to manually check stock levels or search for products, employees can save time and focus on more productive tasks.

Additional Features of a Real-Time Sales and Inventory Assistant:

• Product information: Access detailed product information, including descriptions, specifications, and pricing.
• Client order tracking: Track the status of customer orders, providing customers with up-to-date information on their purchases.
• Warehouse navigation: Easily navigate the warehouse using maps and location-based features.By implementing a real-time sales and inventory assistant, businesses can empower their employees, enhance customer service, and improve overall operational efficiency.