Streaminling Laptop Management
for Los Angeles County with M.I.T (Mobile Inventory Tracker)

Delete The Divide team partnered with Los Angeles County (LA County) to develop a secure mobile application for efficient tracking of county-owned laptops. This application, equipped with an integrated barcode scanner, will streamline processes for Los Angeles County staff and the Delete The Divide (DTD) Administration.

Delete The Divide team partnered with Los Angeles County (LA County) to develop a secure mobile application for efficient tracking of county-owned laptops. This application, equipped with an integrated barcode scanner, will streamline processes for Los Angeles County staff and the Delete The Divide (DTD) Administration.

Role

Role

UI/UX Designer Co-lead

Industry

Industry

Public Sector Technology

Tools

Tools

Figma, Miro, MS Office Suite

Design Team size

Design Team size

10

Challenge

Challenge

Current Inefficiencies:

  • Manual processes for recording laptop locations and handoffs.

  • Inaccuracies, wasted time, and need for more transparency.

Solution

Solution

M.I.T. is a mobile application designed for DTD administrators and warehouse workers to streamline the laptop management process, from receiving shipments to distributing them to recipients with an integrated barcode scanner for eacy tracking.

Key Design Decisions

Key Design Decisions

01

Integrated Barcode Scanner

Reasoning: To minimize manual data entry errors and improve efficiency.

Outcome: Allowed for quick and accurate logging of laptop details during each stage of the management process.

02

User-Friendly Interface

Reasoning: To ensure the app is accessible to both tech-savvy and non-technical users, reducing training time and improving adoption rates.

Outcome: Simplified navigation and clear labeling of functions made it easier for users to perform tasks without confusion.

03

Real-Time Updates

Reasoning: To provide up-to-date inventory data, enabling better decision-making and resource management.

Outcome: Enhanced transparency and accuracy in laptop tracking, reducing instances of lost or misplaced items.

Design and Prototyping

Design and Prototyping

Tight deadlines demanded efficiency. I implemented a task division by page and fostered a supportive mentor-mentee environment within the design team to empower newer designers. I led weekly Figma workshops, addressingfunctionalities and concerns. Our collaborative effort resulted in a pre-built UI component library, ensuring consistency and accelerating the wireframing process.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Before and After User Feedback

Side-by-Side Comparison: Before and After User Feedback

2 Key Findings

2 Key Findings

Unintended User Flow - Scan Items

Unintended User Flow - Scan Items
Scan Workflow (Before)

Scan Workflow (Before)

Scan Workflow
(Before)

Users bypassed the scan icon in the navigation bar and accessed scan history directly through a "view history" button on the home page.

Improved Scan Workflow (After)

Improved Scan Workflow (After)

Improved Scan Workflow (After)

Streamlined the scanning process so users can access scan history and various scanning options directly on the main page.

Impact

Impact

A 50% increase in scanning productivity and bypassing unnecessary navigation steps.

A 50% increase in scanning productivity and bypassing unnecessary navigation steps.

Flagged Laptop Visibility

Flagged Laptop Visibility
Laptop Summary (Before)

Laptop Summary (Before)

The lack of a filter for flagged laptops made it difficult for users to quickly identify them when there were many laptops in the system.

Improved Laptop Summary (After)

Improved Laptop Summary (After)

Enhanced visibility of flagged laptops on the summary page by visually separating them from non-flagged ones.

Impact

Impact

Boosted workflow efficiency by enabling quick identification of flagged laptops.

Boosted workflow efficiency by enabling quick identification of flagged laptops.

High Fidelity Mock Up

High Fidelity Mock Up

Iteractive Design

  • Home Page

    The redesigned home page prioritizes the primary task (scanning) by removing clutter like scan history and notifications. This resulted in a 50% usability boost.

  • Notification

    Real-time notifications keep DTD administrators informed about new arrivals, event assignments, tamper seal breaches, and reported damage.

  • Settings

    A streamlined interface with smaller text provides easier access to account details, support resources, and an in-app tutorial.

  • New Shipment

    Enables efficient scanning and logging of incoming laptop shiments. In addition to allowing users to indicate if the seal is intact which will then be sorted for easier reading.

  • Bulk - Report Damage

    Allows users to scan affected laptops and provide a brief incident description. Ideal for situations with multiple damaged devices.

  • Distribute device

    Assign laptops to individuals with custodian capture for clear accountability. Avalaible for groups (orgs/businesses) distribution.

  • View History

    Provides administrators with a comprehensive history of each laptop's movement, offering valuable insights for asset tracking and management.

  • Update Custodian

    Efficiently transfer ownership of multiple laptops to new custodians during relocation, simplifying record-keeping and preventing unauthorized access (theft). Single laptop transfers also supported.

  • Individual - Report Damage

    Allows administrators to document damage on an individual laptop.

  • Home Page

    The redesigned home page prioritizes the primary task (scanning) by removing clutter like scan history and notifications. This resulted in a 50% usability boost.

  • Notification

    Real-time notifications keep DTD administrators informed about new arrivals, event assignments, tamper seal breaches, and reported damage.

  • Settings

    A streamlined interface with smaller text provides easier access to account details, support resources, and an in-app tutorial.

  • New Shipment

    Enables efficient scanning and logging of incoming laptop shiments. In addition to allowing users to indicate if the seal is intact which will then be sorted for easier reading.

  • Bulk - Report Damage

    Allows users to scan affected laptops and provide a brief incident description. Ideal for situations with multiple damaged devices.

  • Distribute device

    Assign laptops to individuals with custodian capture for clear accountability. Avalaible for groups (orgs/businesses) distribution.

  • View History

    Provides administrators with a comprehensive history of each laptop's movement, offering valuable insights for asset tracking and management.

  • Update Custodian

    Efficiently transfer ownership of multiple laptops to new custodians during relocation, simplifying record-keeping and preventing unauthorized access (theft). Single laptop transfers also supported.

  • Individual - Report Damage

    Allows administrators to document damage on an individual laptop.

Phased Design Handover

Phased Design Handover

To facilitate a smooth development workflow, we adopted a phased design handover approach. We initially provided the developer lead with the wireframes. This enabled them to start planning the application's backend structure and defining the necessary data fields.

Once the high-fidelity prototypes were finalized, the development team could focus on integrating the UI elements (visual design) on top of the already established functional core. This approach streamlined the development process and ensured efficient utilization of time and resources.

Future Opportunities

Future Opportunities

Their is no current application within the Los Angeles County that is similar to M.I.T. With that said we have been told by other department heads and our stakeholders there's a growing possibility of the application being adopted by other departments within the Los Angeles County to manage their specific inventory needs. This potential expansion highlights the scalability and adaptability of the M.I.T. application which will assist more than 2,000+ employees.

Personal Growth and Learnings

Personal Growth and Learnings

Adapting to Change

Adapting to Change

The initial team size of 15 members, including myself, fluctuated due to unforeseen circumstances.  This challenged us to adapt by redistributing tasks efficiently, leveraging each team member's strengths to ensure progress with our team of 9 designers.

Inclusive and Empowering Team Leadership

Inclusive and Empowering Team Leadership

Built an inclusive, learning-focused team. Rewarding to see everyone contribute to design, even newcomers.

Expanding Skillset

Expanding Skillset

Project expanded my skillset through hands-on design, research, and development. Gained invaluable real-world knowledge.

Importance of Setting Boundaries

Importance of Setting Boundaries

Effectively managing client/stakeholder expectations was a crucial learning experience. I learned the importance of assertiveness in managing scope creep by politely declining additions that could potentially derail the project timeline.

Annahi Paez © 2023.

Annahi Paez © 2023.

Annahi Paez © 2023.