FOBOH
The FOBOH platform aims to assist companies who use analogue systems when running all areas of their business within the food and beverage sector. Leveraging AI, natural language processing and machine learning, the platform aims to move the user to a more profitable and sustainable business model.
Ways of Working
The FOBOH project consisted of weekly sprints utilising agile methodology. Each sprint addressed epics that shape the platform into the product it is today. I worked alongside the CPO, CEO, CTO and two business analysts. We worked as a collaborative team and employed a outsourced company, Next Dynamics to assist in the deployment of code throughout the build of the alpha product.
Problem to Solve
There are a surprising number of mid market businesses that run their day to day operations via a lengthy and inconsistent manual process, leaving them little time to optimise business growth.
Time lost, stock level inconsistencies stock wastage were some of the major issues this application sought to address.
Possible solutions
Ideation techniques were utilised to push the boundaries concepts and interface executions. Throughout this project I often employed technique such as Crazy 8s, not only to encourage more creative possibilities but also engage the team and secure commitment.
Below is an example of a lo-fi ideation sketch that was utilised within the final dashboard design.
The concept of visualising business health and active orders on the dashboard came from an ideation session
The FOBOH Solution
From sign up all the way through to processing payments the alpha product automates all business processes, and organises all relevant information in one place.
The flow has been simplified for presentation purposes
Dashboard
The 'Dashboard' focuses on ensuring users can easily access relevant and important information in real time. It consolidates key business health metrics like profit and revenue and signals where action may be required via updates on stock levels and active order information.
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Order snapshot table allows the user to understand the order volume of the business at a glance
Intuitive side nav allows the user to move between the main areas of the platform with ease
Prominent realtime stock alerts address the problems the users expressed regarding order complications.
Data points displayed inform the user of the most relevant performance metrics of the business at that time
Alert and message notifications inform the user of urgent actionable items of the day
The active orders table located in the lower half of the dashboard automates the users order management regarding the most recent and urgent orders. The addition of this feature allows the user to check orders at a glance, click into individual orders if needed and monitor "urgent" item orders.
Products
The 'Product' section of the site was designed to address the research findings that reported lost time and inventory due to systems that were not responsive to realtime events. For example there was no way to update their customers when new stock came in if the customer was placing an order, now the supplier sees inventory in realtime.
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Pagination allows the user to view the entire product range
The bulk import feature allows the user to add large lists straight to the platform, making the transition from analogue practice seamless
The product table allows the user to monitor the status of each product at a glance
Customers
The 'Customers' area within the platform largely mirrors the products page but with some additional functionality. The table for example allows the user (supplier) to identify if the customer is active, their order volume, current spend and region of operation.
Furthermore the table allows the supplier access to each customer's details when selected.
Bulk import feature
Customer table allows the user to monitor their customer base with ease
Pagination
Orders
The 'Orders' section solved some of the most crucial user issues. The ability to monitor all orders and their status significantly reduced the likelihood of errors and time wasted due to manual process and delayed communication
On the orders home page the supplier has the ability to create a new order for their customer, view all open orders, view urgent orders to action as well as open any individual order to review.
Data points set high on the dash display all relevant information to the user regarding all live orders
Action required orders displays new, pending and mod specific expediating the process that would have taken 4 or more interactions previously
Orders table allows the supplier to view all orders at a glance
Within the action required items the user has the ability to review all orders under the selected tab allowing them to see what orders need attention and if needed open the individual order to modify/further review.
The orders table located lower in orders allows the supplier to view all relevant information to current and past orders. Previously the supplier would search through email, text and physical files to perform the same action. Key elements such as status, date, update and payment allow the supplier to prioritise certain orders when needed.
My Resposibilities
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Style guide creation
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Market research
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Information Architecture
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Workshop facilitation
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Ideation
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UX patterns within each feature of the product
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UI of the prototypes
Outcomes
The build of the alpha product delivered on investor expectations, allowing the founding members to progress to the next stage of support.
Prototypes beyond the initial scope, developed in response to changing market conditions, also allowed the founders to secure additional funding from a broader range of investors, as we were able to demonstrate the potential expansion of the application.