DMC Global - NobelClad
NobelClad quoting tool redesign.
Background
NobelClad, a subsidiary company of DMC Global, is a $100M manufacturing company known for its advanced materials technology. The goal of this project was to design and implement a product quoting tool web app, aimed at streamlining and improving the efficiency of the quoting process for NobelClad. The solution not only enhanced customer service but also integrated NobelClad's industrial expertise with innovative digital solutions.
My Role
Conceptualizing and implementing user-friendly interfaces, collaborating closely with product managers and development teams to ensure seamless integration of design and functionality. This position required an in-depth understanding of user experience principles and a commitment to creating efficient, intuitive designs that align with the specific needs of a manufacturing context.
Duration
May - Nov 2023
Software
Sketch, Invision, Zeplin, Azure DevOps
User Interviews
Through weekly interviews with users of NobelClad's quoting tool, a deep dive was conducted into the intricate mechanics of the quoting process, particularly focusing on the complexities involved in assembling various product configurations. These discussions yielded valuable insights, key among them being:
Insights
Diverse User Requirements: Users expressed a need for a tool that accommodates a wide range of metal shapes and sizes, highlighting the diversity in customer requirements and the necessity for a versatile quoting system.
Efficiency in Process Alignment: There was a significant emphasis on the need to streamline the process of matching metal types and specifications, indicating a demand for a more intuitive and time-saving approach within the tool.
User-Friendly Interface for Complex Tasks: Many users pointed out the challenge of navigating complex tasks within the existing system, suggesting a need for a more user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of combining different metal shapes for quotes.
Heuristic Evaluation
In the process of redesigning the quoting tool, exhaustive research was conducted on its older version, involving meticulous analysis alongside users and stakeholders. Each screen and feature was scrutinized to uncover potential areas for improvement and to gain a comprehensive understanding of the tool's strengths and limitations. This thorough examination provided a foundation for a more informed and user-centric redesign.
Insights
Enhanced Customization: Stakeholders and users alike expressed the need for greater flexibility in the tool, allowing for more personalized and specific quoting options.
Improved Navigation: Difficulty in navigating between different sections was a common issue, suggesting the need for a more intuitive and user-friendly navigation system.
Faster Load Times: Analysis revealed that slower load times were impacting user efficiency, highlighting the need for performance optimization.
Clearer Information Display: Feedback suggested that the way information was displayed could be made clearer and more accessible, aiding in quicker and more accurate quote generation.
Persona
Problem
Through user personas, interviews, and heuristic evaluation, it was identified that users of NobelClad's existing quoting tool faced challenges with its complex interface, lack of customization options for diverse metal fabrication needs, and inefficient navigation leading to prolonged quote generation times. These issues hindered accuracy and user productivity, impacting overall client satisfaction.
Solution
The redesigned quoting tool for NobelClad will offer a streamlined, user-friendly interface with enhanced customization capabilities to cater to a wide range of metal fabrication projects. Improved navigation and interface design, informed by user feedback and heuristic analysis, will significantly reduce quote generation time and increase accuracy, thereby improving user efficiency and client satisfaction.
Designs
Insights
Designs were meticulously tailored to align with the company’s strategic objectives, as defined by comprehensive research. User interface elements were carefully chosen to reduce cognitive load, thereby speeding up the quoting process without sacrificing accuracy—a key goal highlighted by user feedback. Interactive elements and visual cues were introduced to guide users seamlessly through the complex task of metal assembly quoting, directly addressing the desire for a more intuitive experience. Lastly, the overall aesthetic was modernized to reflect Noble Clad's innovative ethos, while ensuring that the functionality remained grounded in the practical, everyday needs of the users.
Main Changes
Web App Styled Navigation: Designed the main page with a tabbed interface akin to a web app, facilitating easy access to different sections of the tool for swift navigation.
Metal Size To Order: Refined the user flow for selecting metal sizes to order, making it more intuitive and reducing the number of steps required.
Information Hierarchy: Implemented a clear hierarchy of information to transform what were previously lengthy forms on the Assembly page into digestible sections.
Visual Feedback for Input Accuracy: Added real-time visual feedback mechanisms for input fields to immediately flag errors, enhancing data accuracy.
Responsive Design Overhaul: Overhauled the design to be fully responsive, ensuring a seamless experience across various devices and screen sizes.
Interactive Quote Summary: Developed an interactive quote summary feature that allows users to review and edit selections before final submission.
Results
The quoting tool yielded transformative results, significantly enhancing the efficiency of the quoting process. Over the past year, it has become the sole platform responsible for generating 100% of the company's quotes, efficiently handling an average of $100M in revenue. This success underscores the tool's critical role in the company's operations and its contribution to maintaining a robust revenue stream through improved operational efficiency.
