IoT Data Configuration Platform
Challenge: Build a web-based cloud application for managing gateways and connected devices.
Deliverables: User testing, Wireframe, UI Prototype, Design specifications for development
Role: UX/UI Designer
2015-2020
Challenges
How to browse the structure of thousands of items in flat and nested structures.
How to set up selected items and allow defining how often data will be read from the sensors.
How to simplify routine setups and create predefined applicable snapshots of configurations.
How to monitor and see what is happening with a product line.
Dive deep into the challenge
How to monitor and see what is happening with a product line.
Managing multiple connected devices can quickly become complex, especially when each one has its own state, configuration, and dependencies.
The goal of this iteration was to make it easier for users to understand what’s happening across the product line at a glance.
Ideation
What about showing the status for both devices and the gateway?
We began by exploring methods to visualize system health in a clear and consistent manner. Showing device and gateway statuses side by side could help users identify issues faster.
Explore & Define
We defined a set of statuses, each associated with a specific icon and color.
This created a shared visual language that could be reused across cards, tables, and dashboards.
Design
Cards and accordions display the status information in the top-left corner, right before the device or gateway name.
This placement allows users to instantly recognize the current state without reading additional details.
Test
During testing, users mentioned it would be helpful to see historical events to understand what happened and when.
Design Iteration
In response, we designed a log view displaying key information about each event:
Event status
Timestamp
Message sent from the device or application
This feature gave users much-needed visibility into system behavior over time.
Further Ideation
To provide even deeper insight, we considered connecting gateway and device statuses with logical dependencies, helping users understand how one state affects another.
The story continued…
Dive deep into the challenge
How to simplify routine setups and create predefined applicable snapshots of configurations.
Repeating the same setup process for different devices proved to be inefficient and time-consuming.
The goal of this iteration was to reduce repetitive work and make configuration faster and more consistent across devices.
Ideation
Leveraging predefined configuration snapshots could save time and reduce repetitive work.
We explored ways to reuse existing configurations by introducing the concept of snapshots, ready-made templates that could be quickly applied to multiple devices.
Explore & Define
We proposed adding a new “Template” option alongside the existing “Manual” configuration mode, allowing users to choose from predefined configurations.
This approach could make onboarding new devices much faster while ensuring consistent setups.
Design
A new Template option was added to the configuration flow, enabling users to apply a predefined setup with a single click.
The interface visually separates manual configuration from templates, making the workflow intuitive and easy to follow.
Test
User feedback revealed that it would be convenient to have the Template option as the default choice and to display a list of applicable templates based on the selected device.
Design Iteration
Based on the feedback, the Template option became the default, and a dynamic list of available templates was introduced.
Users could now instantly see relevant templates filtered by device type, improving speed and accuracy during configuration.
Further Ideation
What about adding an option to save a manual configuration as a template?
This idea opened the door for even more flexibility, enabling users to create their own reusable templates and continuously optimize their workflows.
Achievement
IoT Data Configuration Platform was showcased with Microsoft at Hannover Messe in 2019.
