SELECTRON

Field Portal

Helping Government Inspectors Work Smarter, Not Harder!

As product designer for the Field Portal project, I was tasked with creating a mobile app that would make government field inspectors' lives easier by helping them plan better routes, work more efficiently, and collect more accurate data. These inspectors have challenging jobs that take them all over the place - from safety checks to environmental assessments and infrastructure maintenance.

My Role: Product Design, Front-End Development | Tools: Adobe CC, Sketch, VXML, Bootstrap, SCSS, HTML

From Paper Chaos to Digital Efficiency: Making Every Inspector's Day Count!

Before our app, these hardworking folks were stuck with old-school paper schedules that ate up their time, led to mistakes, and couldn't adapt when plans changed (which they always do in fieldwork!). Imagine trying to visit 15 different locations across town efficiently using just a paper list and map - that was their daily reality!

Our mission was to build something that would work perfectly for their unique needs while keeping all their important data secure and making sure the app could grow with them. I wanted to create a tool that would transform their workday from a scheduling headache into a smooth, productive experience.

Bringing the App to Life: A Hands-On Approach

My role on this project was super fun because I got to wear multiple hats! Beyond designing the user experience, I jumped into front-end development and even created Android demos that our sales team could show off in the field.

I built a consistent UI library by customizing Bootstrap, which gave all our applications that polished, branded look while working smoothly on any device. For the data visualization challenges (and there were many with all those inspection routes!), we used Kendo UI and created custom widgets that made complex information easy to understand at a glance.

We started by sketching wireframes that really focused on simplicity - because the last thing our inspectors needed was a complicated app when they're already juggling so many responsibilities in the field! Our design made complex scheduling feel intuitive while still being powerful enough to handle unexpected changes.

The development journey was collaborative and exciting, especially as we built the backend system for optimizing routes. My favorite features we created were the smart route planning system that saved inspectors hours of drive time, and the real-time notifications that kept everyone in the loop when plans changed. Seeing inspectors test our prototypes and hearing their "wow, this makes my job so much easier" reactions made all those late-night coding sessions completely worth it!

The Results: Making Inspectors' Lives Better!

Our new system was a game-changer for everyone involved! The improved route visualization and IVR framework meant inspectors could implement their schedules faster, manage their own routes, and complete inspections in record time. This took a huge burden off the customer support team too - they were no longer swamped with scheduling questions and changes.

One inspector's feedback made my day: "I can't believe it - you've made scheduling fun!" That's when I knew we'd created something truly special.

The Field portal became a major business driver, bringing in both new customers and renewals. Our sales and marketing teams were thrilled to report higher conversion rates thanks to the more intuitive interface and enhanced features. What makes me proudest is that we didn't just solve a technical problem - we created an experience that actually delighted our users and made their workday better.