The Ask
An international power plant approached our team with a request to develop a proof of concept (POC) for automating patch updates and system backups across its network of nodes. The goal was to modernize and streamline the way nodes within different sections of the plant were managed, ensuring reliability and reducing manual overhead.
The application needed to:
- Be integrated into an existing system, and/or booted into a new location.
- Automatically detect and read nodes across the network.
- Provide a user-friendly interface for managing patches and backups.
- Offer clear navigation from login to dashboard, patch management, and into node-level details.
Key Features Demonstrated in the POC
- Login & Dashboard Flow: A streamlined entry point into the system, leading to a centralized dashboard.
- Patch Management Interface: Easy access to patch status across different plant sections.
- Node Drill-Down: Detailed views of individual nodes, including backup requirements and patch history.
- Visual Hierarchy & Feedback: Clear indicators of user location within the app and actionable insights.
Above, is the view of the Backup Details for a particular Asset. The Asset Details are summarized on the left.
Team & Collaboration
The POC was a collaborative effort involving:
- Developers
- System Engineers
- Stakeholders
- UI and UX Consultants
We worked closely with the client’s UX design team based in India, using their initial designs as a foundation. However, we identified gaps in functionality and workflow clarity, which required refinement and enhancement.
Design & Workflow Improvements
While the original designs provided a visual starting point, they lacked the necessary depth in user flow and functionality. Through a series of productive meetings with the development team, we:
- Reassessed the user journey.
- Simplified navigation to make it easier for users to track their location within the app.
- Enhanced the Patch Management section to allow intuitive drill-down into individual nodes.
- Improved the Node Details view to clearly display backup status and patch history.
These changes resulted in a more cohesive and user-friendly experience.
Above, displays a round table conversation with developers and architects to get everyone on the same page with the technical relationships of the Backups to better represent them visually. While understanding the complexity and limitations of the system.
Outcome
The POC was completed on time and met all success criteria. It demonstrated:
- A functional and scalable approach to automated patch and backup management.
- A cleaner, more intuitive design than the existing application.
- Improved traceability and usability for plant operators and IT staff.
The client was thrilled with the results, and the POC validated our ability to bring the system to life, paving the way for the next phase of the full application.
