Context
Overview
PowerFlex is a leading renewable energy company providing advanced monitoring, data analysis, remote control, and management solutions for companies across the USA, including high-profile clients like Netflix, FedEx, and Amazon. These companies, utilizing technologies such as solar panels, EV charging stations, and energy storage systems, require a robust platform to efficiently manage their onsite and remote operations. The platform aims to reduce costs while helping companies achieve their sustainability and financial goals.
My role
In this ongoing project, my responsibilities included the continuous improvement of existing features and the ideation, design, testing, and delivery of new features. This process required constant communication and collaboration with managers, stakeholders, users, and developers to ensure the platform met the evolving needs of its users.
Background
PowerFlex has a vast network with over 980 sites, serving more than 300 customers, and has installed over 10,000 EV charging stations. This extensive infrastructure highlights the company's commitment to providing comprehensive renewable energy solutions.
Target audience
Our target audience includes large-scale logistics and delivery companies, such as DHL, which are committed to ambitious sustainability goals. For instance, DHL aims to eliminate carbon emissions from its operations by 2050 and has invested in electrifying its fleet, driving over 60 million miles with EVs. PowerFlex supports these efforts by providing turnkey EV charging installations and intelligent energy management platforms to optimize energy use and reduce costs.
Feature 1/4: Stations
The Stations feature allows users with EV charging stations at their sites to monitor their stations' real-time status, make informed decisions, manage stations remotely, and download relevant data.
Research and Ideation
The existing Stations feature had usability issues that needed addressing. User feedback indicated that the feature was overwhelming and inconsistent. Through user interviews and competitive analysis, we identified three main challenges: statuses, remote commands, and filters.
Design Process
1. Statuses
Challenge
The original design included 11 different statuses, which made the interface cluttered and confusing.
Solution
I streamlined the statuses to four primary ones: Charging, Not Charging, Available, and Not Available. To maintain context and granularity, I introduced a new column called "State," displaying additional contextual information such as current draw and readiness.
Outcome
This approach simplified the user interface, reducing user overwhelm and enhancing usability.
2. Filtering
Challenge
The existing filters were inconsistent, with some column-level filters and some general ones, causing confusion.
Solution
Through A/B testing and user feedback, I developed Advanced Dynamic Filters, providing a consistent filtering experience across the app.
Outcome
This solution resolved inconsistencies, made hidden filters accessible, and was applied across all tables and features, significantly improving user experience.
3. Remote Commands
Challenge
Users needed a way to manage their stations remotely but lacked an integrated solution.
Solution
Leveraging the Stations page's existing information, I implemented remote commands directly within this feature.
Commands
Start Charging, Stop Charging, Soft Reset, and Hard Reset.
Outcome
This integration provided a seamless remote management experience for users.
4. Schedules
Challenge
Users required a way to schedule charging sessions remotely, with complexities around overlapping schedules.
Solution
I designed a schedule builder, allowing users to create schedules easily, including relevant details like name, stations to be scheduled, and schedule times.
Outcome
The schedule builder provided a user-friendly way to manage charging schedules, addressing the complexities effectively.
Feature 2/4: PV+
PV+ is a feature designed for clients with solar technology. It enables users to monitor real-time data of their solar assets, including solar panels, inverters, and meters. Additionally, it incorporates an alert system to notify users of critical issues affecting their devices.
Research and Ideation
The development of PV+ was driven by the need for solar clients to have real-time visibility into their solar assets and to promptly address any issues. User feedback emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive monitoring and alert system to enhance operational efficiency and ensure optimal performance.
Design Process
1. Device Monitoring
Challenge
Clients needed an efficient way to monitor various solar assets and access relevant data points.
Solution
I designed a user interface that lists all solar equipment and assets with detailed information, such as make, model, and key data points. The interface prominently displays the status of each device.
Outcome
This provided users with a clear and organized view of their solar assets, making it easier to monitor and manage their operations.
2. Alerts
Challenge
Users required timely notifications of critical issues to maintain optimal performance of their solar assets.
Solution
I integrated an alert system within PV+ that includes four key alerts: No Communication, No Production, Low Production, and Device Fault. These alerts are displayed with relevant details, allowing users to quickly identify and address issues.
Outcome
The alert system improved users’ ability to respond to and resolve problems swiftly, reducing downtime and maintaining efficiency.
3. Usability Testing
Conducted usability tests to ensure the device monitoring interface was intuitive and easy to navigate.
Gathered feedback on the alert system to verify its effectiveness in providing timely and actionable information.
Iterated on the designs based on user feedback to enhance usability and functionality.
4. Conclusions
The PV+ feature provided solar clients with comprehensive visibility into their assets through an organized interface listing all solar assets with essential data points and status indicators. The integrated alert system offered real-time notifications for critical issues such as No Communication, No Production, Low Production, and Device Fault. Post-implementation feedback highlighted increased user satisfaction and operational effectiveness, with clients appreciating the streamlined monitoring and alert capabilities.
Feature 3/4: Ops Center
The OpCenter is designed for internal users to facilitate troubleshooting and provide comprehensive oversight of all client operations. This feature aggregates information across all clients and assets, enabling internal teams to monitor, manage, and address issues efficiently.
Research and Ideation
The development of OpCenter was driven by the need for a centralized platform for internal users to access all relevant information, perform remote commands, download data, and visualize statistics. User feedback and internal requirements highlighted the necessity of a robust troubleshooting tool to enhance support and operational efficiency.
Design Process
1. Troubleshooting
Challenge
Internal users needed a feature to effectively troubleshoot issues reported by clients.
Solution
I designed a troubleshooting interface that consolidates information from all clients and assets, allowing users to quickly identify and address issues. This interface includes detailed asset information, status indicators, and remote command capabilities.
Outcome
This provided internal teams with a powerful tool to resolve issues swiftly, reducing downtime and improving client satisfaction.
This is an outdated design, with legacy UI.
2. Comprehensive Monitoring
Challenge
Internal users required access to all client and asset information in one place for efficient management and oversight.
Solution
The OpCenter interface was designed to display all relevant data, including real-time monitoring, management tools, and remote command functionalities. Users can download information and view charts for overviews and statistics.
Outcome
This centralized approach streamlined operations, allowing internal teams to manage and monitor all clients and assets effectively.
This is an outdated design, with legacy UI.
3. Usability Testing
Conducted usability tests to ensure easy navigation. Feedback was used to iterate and improve the final outcome.
4. Conclusions
The OpCenter feature provided a centralized platform for troubleshooting with real-time monitoring, management capabilities, remote commands, and visualizations. It included contact management to support customer communication. Internal users gave amazing feedback, appreciating the comprehensive and intuitive design. However, development was paused to prioritize other customer-facing features.
This is an outdated / WIP design, with legacy UI.
Feature 4/4: Alerts
Following the successful implementation of alerts in PV+, the Alerts feature was designed to provide a comprehensive alert system across all technologies for customer-facing users. This feature allows users to monitor, filter, sort, and troubleshoot alerts for various assets, helping them make informed decisions over time.
Research and Ideation
The expansion of the alerts system was driven by positive feedback from the PV+ feature. Customers expressed the need for a unified alert system that could provide insights across all their technologies, enhancing their ability to manage and maintain their assets efficiently.
Design Process
1. Comprehensive Alerts
Challenge
Extend the alert functionality to cover all technologies and assets, ensuring users have a unified view of all alerts.
Solution
Designed a user interface that displays all alerts across different assets and technologies. Users can filter and sort alerts based on various criteria, view detailed information, and troubleshoot issues directly from the interface.
Outcome
This provided a centralized and consistent alert management system, allowing users to handle issues efficiently across all their assets.
2. Filtering and Sorting
Challenge
Users needed to easily find and manage relevant alerts from potentially large lists.
Solution
Implemented advanced filtering and sorting options, enabling users to quickly locate specific alerts and manage them effectively.
Outcome
Enhanced user experience by making it easier to navigate and manage alerts.
3. Statistics and Insights
Challenge
Users needed to understand trends and patterns in their alerts to make informed decisions.
Solution
Integrated statistical tools and visualizations that provide insights into alert trends over time. Users can download data and generate reports to aid in decision-making.
Outcome
Empowered users with actionable insights, helping them optimize asset management and maintenance.
4. Usability Testing
Conducted usability tests to ensure easy navigation. Feedback was used to iterate and improve the final outcome.
5. Conclusions
The Alerts feature introduced a unified interface for comprehensive alert management, with advanced filtering and sorting options. It included tools for viewing detailed alert information, troubleshooting issues, downloading data, and analyzing statistics. This feature significantly improved operational efficiency and decision-making. User feedback highlighted the effectiveness of the unified alert system and its positive impact on asset management.
General Conclusions
The PowerFlex project has been a dynamic and ongoing initiative, involving both the design and iteration of new features and the enhancement of existing ones. Each project within the platform was approached in different ways, addressing different goals, needs, and stakeholders. This process required extensive learning and iteration, leading to significant improvements in the app’s usability under my lead.
See something you like? Lets chat :)
soyandresgar@gmail.com
Remote from Colombia
