Product UI UX Design consulting for a
Streamlining Printing Supply with Custom ERP
I recently worked with a printing supplier who was in need of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to manage their business operations. The printing supplier provides a wide range of printing services to their customers, including digital printing, offset printing, and large format printing. Their existing ERP system was outdated and was not able to keep up with the growing demands of their business. They needed a new ERP system that would help them streamline their processes and improve their efficiency.
The printing supplier's existing ERP system was outdated and not able to keep up with the growing demands of their business. The system was slow and prone to errors, causing delays and impacting their ability to deliver products to customers on time. Additionally, the system lacked integration with other tools and software, leading to redundant data entry and inefficiencies. The printing supplier needed a new ERP system that would be faster, more reliable, and integrate seamlessly with their existing tools to improve their overall efficiency.
To understand the problem and its context, I conducted extensive research into the printing industry and ERP systems. I reviewed the client's existing system and identified pain points and inefficiencies. I also conducted interviews with stakeholders and employees to understand their needs and pain points. Based on this research, I identified the need for a new ERP system that would provide better integration, faster performance, and improved reliability.
Persona 1: The Operations Manager
The Operations Manager is a 40-50 year old professional responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a printing company. They have a Bachelor's degree in business administration and have been with the company for over 10 years. Their primary goal is to streamline the printing process and ensure that all orders are completed on time and within budget. Their pain points include dealing with a high volume of orders and managing a large team of employees.
Persona 2: The Purchasing Manager
The Purchasing Manager is a 30-40 year old professional responsible for managing the printing company's supply chain. They have a Bachelor's degree in supply chain management and have been with the company for over 5 years. Their primary goal is to reduce costs and ensure that the company has a steady supply of printing materials. Their pain points include managing a large number of suppliers and dealing with unpredictable fluctuations in material costs.
Persona 3: The IT Manager
The IT Manager is a 35-45 year old professional responsible for managing the printing company's technology infrastructure. They have a Bachelor's degree in computer science and have been with the company for over 7 years. Their primary goal is to ensure that the company's technology systems are reliable and secure. Their pain points include dealing with legacy systems and managing a large number of software applications.
As a graphic designer, I want to be able to upload my artwork to the printing supplier's system, so that I can quickly place orders for printing without having to communicate my design files separately.
As a small business owner, I want to be able to see real-time pricing information for different printing options, so that I can make informed decisions about which products to offer my customers.
As an event planner, I want to be able to track the status of my print orders in real-time, so that I can adjust my event planning timeline accordingly.
As a graphic designer, I want to be able to preview what my design will look like on different printing materials, so that I can make informed decisions about the final product.
As a small business owner, I want to be able to save frequently ordered printing options, so that I can easily place repeat orders without having to re-enter all the details.
As an event planner, I want to be able to easily communicate with the printing supplier about any changes or updates to my print order, so that I can ensure that the final product meets my needs.
As a graphic designer, I want to be able to access detailed information about the printing supplier's processes and materials, so that I can make informed decisions about which printing options to choose.
As a small business owner, I want to be able to order a variety of print materials, including business cards, flyers, and banners, all in one place, so that I can streamline my ordering process.
As an event planner, I want to be able to see a history of my past print orders, so that I can easily track my event planning history and make informed decisions for future events.
As a graphic designer, I want to be able to receive real-time updates on the status of my print orders, so that I can provide my clients with accurate information about delivery dates.
The design team used an iterative design process to develop the ERP system, starting with low-fidelity wireframes and gradually refining the design based on user feedback. They worked closely with the client's team to ensure that the system met their needs and integrated seamlessly with their existing systems.
The ERP system had a modular architecture, with different modules for order management, inventory control, production tracking, and reporting. The system was designed to be highly customizable, allowing the client to configure it to their specific needs and workflows. The system had a modern and intuitive user interface, with clear navigation and contextual help to guide users through their tasks.
The design team tested the system with a group of beta users from the client's team, who provided feedback on usability, functionality, and performance. The team made several improvements based on the feedback, including simplifying the order entry process, adding more detailed reports, and improving the performance of the system.
The ERP system was successfully implemented at the printing supplier, enabling the client to manage their operations more efficiently and effectively. The system provided real-time visibility of orders, inventory, and production, which enabled the client to identify and resolve issues quickly. The system