Making Enterprise AV Hardware Configuration Accessible
Problem
XTP is a complex enterprise AV system with many configuration options, previously configured without a software UI.
Solution
Designed a software configuration tool for global enterprise and education clients, launched with XTP hardware on day one.
Impact
- Designed and shipped a new software UI alongside the day-one hardware release
- Replaced analog configuration methods with a single, structured interface
- Ran weekly usability tests to maintain quality and team alignment
- Delivered detailed interaction specs and annotated prototypes to support engineering development
Overview
XTP is a highly complex hardware system with an enormous range of configuration possibilities.
The software had to be ready for day-one shipment with the XTP hardware, which made fast research, alignment, and iteration essential.
Two-person UX team, including myself, partnering closely with a Product Manager.
The Problem
XTP had many configuration options but no software UI. Field technicians configured systems through analog methods, often on site.
Key Challenges
- Configuration relied on analog methods, with no single, structured interface
- Technicians needed to configure systems correctly the first time while on site and within budget
- Technicians needed clear feedback that reflected the true system state
- Useful features were cumbersome and overly complex
Solution
A clean, uncluttered interface made advanced configuration accessible without overwhelming users with visual noise, and it launched alongside the XTP hardware on day one.
We designed a software configuration tool for global enterprise and education clients that replaced analog configuration methods with a single, structured interface.
Research
The UX team involved stakeholders, subject matter experts, and real end users from the very beginning, then worked with the Product Manager to define the MVP scope for the day-one launch.
Discovery activities
Stakeholder interviews
Interviewed stakeholders and subject matter experts to understand the XTP system and its range of configuration possibilities.
Requirements and workflows
Gathered requirements and mapped workflows to define the MVP scope with the Product Manager.
Information architecture
Created site maps to plan the information architecture before starting any design work.
User interviews
Held one-on-one interviews and contextual inquiry with end users to identify patterns, expectations, and behaviors.
John Turner
A senior field technician whose goal is to configure systems correctly the first time. His frustrations with unclear feedback and overly complex features led to a focus on reliability, clarity, and a clean information hierarchy.
Design Process
Because of the product's complexity, continuous feedback from stakeholders and users was built into every stage, validating information architecture and interaction patterns before moving into visual design.
System Configuration
Sketching, wireframing, and rapid prototyping validated the information architecture. System Configuration was the most technically complex screen, showing inputs, outputs, and live device status.
Weekly Usability Testing
Results were shared with the full team to keep product, development, and design aligned.
- Local and remote usability sessions with field technicians and AV system integrators
- A/B testing of key interface patterns, especially around the matrix configuration view
- Time-per-task analysis to measure configuration efficiency against the analog baseline
Final Interface
Designed in Illustrator and Sketch with a clean, uncluttered interface, and delivered with annotated documentation reviewed in bi-weekly stand-ups.
Outcome
By keeping users at the center of every design decision and collaborating closely with the cross-functional team, the XTP MVP shipped alongside the beta release of the XTP hardware.
Delivery
The software UI was designed and shipped on schedule with hardware release.
Research
Defined MVP scope with Product Manager based on field technician needs.
Iteration
Ran weekly usability tests to ensure design quality and team alignment.
Design
Replaced analog configuration with a clean, structured software tool.
Skills Highlighted
- Enterprise Design
- User Research
- Persona Development
- Contextual Inquiry
- Wireframing and Prototyping
- Weekly Usability Testing
- A/B Testing
- Information Architecture
- Illustrator and Sketch
- Design Documentation
- Stakeholder Collaboration