Redefining Industrial Data Management Through UI/UX

The Story

Improving Operational Efficiency with Transformative Digital and Hardware Design

Following the success of our collaboration on a new hardware design language, highlighted by the introduction of FlexEdge™, Red Lion Controls (RLC) partnered with M3 again for the development of their NT5000 product line. The goal of this project was to expand the design language to a new line of products and create a new digital experience for Red Lion customers with a strong emphasis on ease of use. M3 focused on ensuring consistency in the visual brand story and transforming a data-rich user workflow into and intuitive digital dashboard. Our meticulous approach to both the hardware and digital aspects, particularly in addressing the on-screen experience’s significance to the user’s workflow, contributed significantly to the ultimate success of the Nt5000 system.

Our Solution

A Seamless Digital and Physical Ecosystem that Conveys the Essence of the Red Lion Brand

Develop a holistic design approach that seamlessly integrates physical and digital elements to create a unified experience.
Craft thoughtful user workflows that streamline installation, setup, and diagnostics to enhance operational efficiency.
Enable Red Lion customers to take control of their workflows by offering the ability to tailor the digital dashboard to meet their specific needs.
Deliver a digital design language that will work hand-in-hand with the hardware design language to distinguish Red Lion from their competitors, enhance brand equity, and grow brand visibility across their diverse portfolio.

The Vision

Making the Digital Experience Intrinsically Red Lion

Through our strategic research process we developed a nuanced vision for Red Lion's digital experiences that seamlessly aligns with their core brand attributes – Progressive, Purposeful, and Reliable. At the core of this strategy are optimized user workflows and simplified data presentation. These elements, combined with the modern and progressive visual characteristics of the new digital design language, not only distinguish the NT5000 platform from competitors but also establish a scalable framework that guides the direction for all future RLC offerings.

"M3’s team of engineers and designers moved us outside of our comfort zone and ultimately helped us create a fantastic product." Colin Geis Director of Product Management

The Experience

Defining the Digital Tone

As part of our process, we collaborated closely with Red Lion's key stakeholders to refine and document the visual toolkit, laying the groundwork for the future of RLC's digital experiences. This comprehensive toolkit includes guidelines for color usage, iconography, and the overall tone and presentation of information.

How Do We Reimagine the Data Management Experience?

M3 collaborated with the RLC team to not only create a new desktop portal but also to revolutionize their data management experience. At the start of the project, we dove headfirst into various cycles of research, aiming to gain a deep understanding of users, their respective markets, and how Red Lion could enhance their services to better meet their needs.

potential UI pages taped to a whiteboard

Optimize the Workflow

The M3 team meticulously planned the site architecture for the new NT5000 user experience, taking into consideration all opportunities to streamline setup, installation, and management processes.

By understanding the diverse user groups interacting with the products, we crafted tailored workflows that effectively addressed and eliminated significant pain points within existing offerings.

Test Quickly and Often

An integral part of the M3 process was the rapid prototyping and testing of our design hypotheses. Constantly having stakeholders work through the wireframes of our envisioned enhanced workflows and information architecture provided valuable insights and critiques, ultimately guiding us toward optimal user experience improvements.

Simplify the Presentation of Data

After defining the user workflows and information architecture, the focus shifted to communicating the data in meaningful and digestible ways. M3 and RLC worked tirelessly to present rich data fields in a manner that is easy to understand.

The Result

An Intuitive, Scalable Experience that Redefines Usability for Data Management

A cohesive and seamless ecosystem of experiences that optimizes the holistic user journey a Red Lion customer encounters.
A strategic digital design language system that will enable operational efficiency for both Red Lion and its customers.
A purposeful and progressive hardware and software DNA that promotes the continual growth of the Red Lion brand.

Up Next

Design for Users in Rugged Environments

View the Case Study

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