User Interface Design for Global Websites
Overview
As Arrow began the long effort to convert to an ERP system from their traditional mainframe, a team was established to investigate how these new systems should be used on the web to replace and upgrade existing online tools. During this task force, it was decided that a new, consistent user interface was needed to apply the updated capabilities across Arrow's varied global websites.
Goals & Objectives
- To develop an Internet strategy and functional specs for the Global Components Business
- To develop detailed specifications for Oracle to implement
- To install new site and strategy within the Oracle platform as it rolls out region by region
Challenges
- Creating a single set of interfaces for all uses, as each region has different needs and capabilities
- Gaining stakeholder comprehension and agreement of many complex interactions of online tools
- Working between two outsource agencies to coordinate deliverables so that the independent software vendor had the detailed specifications needed
- Developing nearly complete interfaces (CSS/XHTML/JS) with no access to prototype of the tool set
- Incredibly tight timeline to develop information architecture, full UI documentation and over fifty functional templates. All deliverables were due in sixty days from signing with third party
Solutions
- Develop business version of UI documentation to gain understanding and agreement from all stakeholders on how the web
- Met with design vendor and business team three times a week to review wireframes and make changes quickly and keep to our timeline
- Vendor created UI documentation with review and editing by Arrow UI team
Outcome
- Timeline was met and templates are currently being used to create functional prototypes of new systems
- Design was base for arrownac.com design changes later that year
- First full website should be launched in the second quarter of 2009
- Business Design Document
- Formal UI Documentation (from 3rd party)
- Final design