3k - Innovation - MS - Retail

Girish Suryajoies

Principal UX Designer

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Microsoft - Retail

role: Senior Design Consultant

team: 1

responsibility: Design & Strategy

duration: 2 Months

Introduction

This project involves building a Power App designed specifically for the retail industry, to be integrated as a core collaborative tool within Microsoft Teams. The app aims to streamline communication, task management, and operational efficiency both within individual stores and across multiple store locations.

Requirement

A unified, single interface for collaboration that connects store associates and managers within stores and across different store locations.
Structured communication and task organization at both store and department levels.
Geo map functionality to enable searching for and locating nearby stores.
UPC reader capability to scan and identify product details such as color, size, style, and available units.
Department-level query broadcast to facilitate quick information sharing and issue resolution.
One-to-one discussion interface for direct communication between frontline workers.
Camera and picture widgets for real-time sharing of images and UPC codes to tag specific scenarios or inventory items.
Indoor navigation feature to help employees find specific aisles or product locations within stores.

User

Store Managers: Responsible for overall store operations, team coordination, and ensuring smooth communication across departments and stores.
Store Associates: Frontline retail workers handling inventory, customer interactions, and daily store tasks requiring real-time collaboration and support.

Goal

To enhance operational efficiency by minimizing the time store associates spend on administrative or communication tasks, while improving connectivity and collaboration between stores and their associate teams. The app should enable faster issue resolution, accurate inventory management, and empower store employees with intuitive tools for seamless in-store navigation and communication.

Decision Design - Story driven UX framework

Unified, Role-Specific Interface: Design the app interface with clear role-based access and functionality, ensuring store managers and associates see tools and data relevant to their needs without clutter.
Integrated Collaboration: Leverage Microsoft Teams’ collaboration features to embed chat, query broadcasts, and direct messaging seamlessly within the app for real-time communication.
Geo Map and Indoor Navigation: Implement easy-to-use, interactive maps with location awareness, enabling users to find nearby stores and specific aisles efficiently. Use visual wayfinding cues and clear map overlays for indoor navigation.
UPC Reader and Camera Integration: Design an intuitive scanning experience, with camera functionality that allows straightforward image capture and tagging, helping associates quickly log product details and share visual information.
Broadcast and Query Management: Provide department-level broadcast features with notification controls to ensure timely information dissemination without overwhelming users. Include search and filter mechanisms to manage queries effectively.
Mobile-First and Responsive Design: Ensure the app performs seamlessly on smartphones and tablets, given the mobile nature of frontline retail work, prioritizing ease of use under different lighting and physical environments.
Minimal Disruption, Maximum Efficiency: Focus on optimizing user workflows to reduce time on repetitive tasks, ensuring the interface is clean, accessible, and reduces cognitive load during fast-paced retail operations.

AI Integration in Retail Industry

Intelligent Task Management: AI can analyze task data and associate workflows to prioritize urgent issues and automate routine approvals, reducing manager workload.
Predictive Analytics for Inventory: AI algorithms can forecast demand trends and inventory shortages, prompting associates proactively through the app.
Natural Language Processing (NLP): AI-powered chatbots or conversational assistants can handle routine queries, freeing staff for complex tasks and accelerating communication.
Image Recognition: AI can enhance the UPC reader and image tagging by automatically identifying products, verifying compliance with planograms, or detecting stock anomalies from pictures submitted by associates.
Personalized Recommendations: AI can suggest best practices or optimal stocking sequences based on store layout and real-time data.
Sentiment and Operational Insights: AI can analyze internal communication sentiment or store data to identify bottlenecks or morale issues, supporting proactive management interventions.

Girish Suryajoies

Principal UX Designer

Microsoft - Retail

Introduction

Requirement

A unified, single interface for collaboration that connects store associates and managers within stores and across different store locations.

Structured communication and task organization at both store and department levels.

Geo map functionality to enable searching for and locating nearby stores.

UPC reader capability to scan and identify product details such as color, size, style, and available units.

Department-level query broadcast to facilitate quick information sharing and issue resolution.

One-to-one discussion interface for direct communication between frontline workers.

Camera and picture widgets for real-time sharing of images and UPC codes to tag specific scenarios or inventory items.

Indoor navigation feature to help employees find specific aisles or product locations within stores.

User

Store Managers: Responsible for overall store operations, team coordination, and ensuring smooth communication across departments and stores.

Store Associates: Frontline retail workers handling inventory, customer interactions, and daily store tasks requiring real-time collaboration and support.

Goal

Decision Design - Story driven UX framework

Unified, Role-Specific Interface: Design the app interface with clear role-based access and functionality, ensuring store managers and associates see tools and data relevant to their needs without clutter.

Integrated Collaboration: Leverage Microsoft Teams’ collaboration features to embed chat, query broadcasts, and direct messaging seamlessly within the app for real-time communication.

Geo Map and Indoor Navigation: Implement easy-to-use, interactive maps with location awareness, enabling users to find nearby stores and specific aisles efficiently. Use visual wayfinding cues and clear map overlays for indoor navigation.

UPC Reader and Camera Integration: Design an intuitive scanning experience, with camera functionality that allows straightforward image capture and tagging, helping associates quickly log product details and share visual information.

Broadcast and Query Management: Provide department-level broadcast features with notification controls to ensure timely information dissemination without overwhelming users. Include search and filter mechanisms to manage queries effectively.

Mobile-First and Responsive Design: Ensure the app performs seamlessly on smartphones and tablets, given the mobile nature of frontline retail work, prioritizing ease of use under different lighting and physical environments.

Minimal Disruption, Maximum Efficiency: Focus on optimizing user workflows to reduce time on repetitive tasks, ensuring the interface is clean, accessible, and reduces cognitive load during fast-paced retail operations.​

AI Integration in Retail Industry

Intelligent Task Management: AI can analyze task data and associate workflows to prioritize urgent issues and automate routine approvals, reducing manager workload.

Predictive Analytics for Inventory: AI algorithms can forecast demand trends and inventory shortages, prompting associates proactively through the app.

Natural Language Processing (NLP): AI-powered chatbots or conversational assistants can handle routine queries, freeing staff for complex tasks and accelerating communication.

Image Recognition: AI can enhance the UPC reader and image tagging by automatically identifying products, verifying compliance with planograms, or detecting stock anomalies from pictures submitted by associates.

Personalized Recommendations: AI can suggest best practices or optimal stocking sequences based on store layout and real-time data.

Sentiment and Operational Insights: AI can analyze internal communication sentiment or store data to identify bottlenecks or morale issues, supporting proactive management interventions.

Minimal Disruption, Maximum Efficiency: Focus on optimizing user workflows to reduce time on repetitive tasks, ensuring the interface is clean, accessible, and reduces cognitive load during fast-paced retail operations.