Client Objectives
Marks & Spencer asked our mobile experts to evaluate their Hand Held Terminal (HHT), a mobile PDA device used for scanning product codes, filing returns and checking availability. They wanted a streamlined process for ordering stock to warehouses and to track products around the UK. Central aims included avoiding over-ordering and improving customer services.
Our Solution
We analysed product documentation and best practice guidelines and recommended improvements that would ensure staff could easily understand and use the HHT device. Suggested improvements included an assessment of the device’s physicality, the potential for audio feedback, the colours and onscreen typography and making sure it would continue to be usable in different environments.
Successes and Achievements
Once our recommended design improvements were implemented, M&S took on the improved device for a three-month test period. We emphasised simple solutions, minimising clutter and creating design consistency. This meant typical upgrade overheads such as staff re-training could be kept at a minimum.