CISCO NAVIGATOR

A touch panel device that combines controls, sensors, and an intuitive display. It comes in two versions: table-stand and wall-mount, and can be used in different workspace settings.

Role: Product Design Lead | UX Researcher Lead

BACK

DISCOVER

BACKGROUND

Design and Functionality

The Cisco Room Navigator comes in two distinct versions: a
table-stand model and a wall-mount model, each tailored to suit

different workspace configurations and user preferences. Both

versions boast a sleek, modern design that seamlessly integrates into

any professional setting, offering a sophisticated aesthetic alongside

robust functionality.

Core FeaturesIntuitive Display: The Room Navigator features a user-friendly touchscreen interface that allows for easy navigation and control. The display is designed to be both visually appealing and highly responsive, ensuring a smooth interaction for users.

Integrated Sensors: Equipped with advanced sensors, the Room Navigator can monitor and adjust environmental conditions such as lighting and temperature. This ensures a comfortable and optimal meeting environment, enhancing the overall user experience.

Comprehensive Controls: The device provides centralized control over various room features, including audio-visual equipment, room booking systems, and connectivity options. This eliminates the need for multiple remote controls and simplifies the management of meeting spaces.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The decision to make changes to the Cisco Room Navigator stemmed from several key factors aimed at improving user experience, enhancing functionality, and keeping pace with technological advancements. Here are the primary reasons:

User Feedback and Usability Studies

User Experience Improvement: Continuous feedback from users highlighted areas for improvement in the device’s interface and overall user experience. Usability studies provided insights into how users interact with the Navigator, identifying pain points and opportunities for enhancement.
Ease of Use: Simplifying the user interface to make it more intuitive and accessible for all users, regardless of their technical proficiency, was a crucial goal. Changes were aimed at reducing the learning curve and making navigation more straightforward.

Room Navigator_wall mount_front view.png

Design and Aesthetic Updates

Modernization: Updating the physical design of the Navigator to reflect contemporary aesthetics helped ensure ed appealing in modern workspaces. A sleek, modern look can contribute to a more professional and high-tech image for organizations using the device.
Ergonomics: Improving the ergonomics of the device made it more comfortable and convenient to use, whether placed on a table or mounted on a wall. These changes helped reduce user fatigue and improve overall satisfaction.

Overall, these changes were driven by a commitment to delivering a superior product that meets the evolving needs of users, stays ahead of technological trends, and maintains a competitive edge in the market.

DISCOVER: USER-CENTERED DESIGN

We conducted several rounds of interviews to understand the users' requests for the Cisco Room Navigator. Our users' short-term goal is to have a designated space to view and manage all the devices and applications currently integrated within their conference room systems. Long-term, clients would like the option to customize the interface by excluding any unnecessary data columns from the comprehensive control and monitoring display, ensuring a streamlined and personalized user experience.

DESIGN

Understanding and addressing user needs was crucial for developing effective and user-friendly products. Here’s how we took user feedback and collaborated as a team to create a customizable Cisco Room Navigator that meets and exceeds user expectations.

UNDERSTANDING USER NEEDS

User Interviews and Feedback Collection

Multiple Rounds of Interviews: We conducted several rounds of detailed interviews with a diverse group of users to gather comprehensive insights into their needs and preferences.
Identifying Short-term and Long-term Goals: Users expressed a short-term need for a centralized space to view and manage all meetings and applications within their conference rooms. Long-term, they desired the ability to customize the display by excluding unnecessary data columns for a more tailored interface.Designing Solutions

Design Workshops and Brainstorming Sessions

Collaborative Approach: Our design team held workshops to brainstorm solutions that addressed the identified user needs. We focused on creating an interface that was both comprehensive and flexible.
Prototyping and Iteration: We developed several prototypes and iterated on them based on continuous feedback from users. This iterative process ensured that our designs were closely aligned with user expectations.

TEST & ITERATE (T&I)

Beta Testing: We conducted beta testing with a group of users to ensure that the new features were intuitive and met their needs. Feedback from these sessions was crucial in refining the final product.
Continuous Improvement: Based on user feedback, we made further adjustments to enhance the functionality and usability of the customization features.

RESULTS

By closely aligning our design and development process with user feedback, we were able to create a highly customizable Cisco Room Navigator that meets both the short-term and long-term needs of our users. The enhanced flexibility and user-friendly interface have significantly improved user satisfaction and productivity in managing conference room environments.

To further improve the Cisco Room Navigator and address specific user needs, we incorporated visual indicators to show room availability and included accessibility features for color-blind users, which integrates unique background patterns for each state, ensuring that the room status is easily identifiable regardless of color perception.

State 1: Room Available

Color Background: We used a green background to clearly indicate that the room is free and available for use.
Intuitive Visual Cue: The green color is universally recognized as a signal for "go" or "available," making it easy for users to understand at a glance.

State 2: Room Reserved Soon

Color Background: We chose a yellow background to indicate that the room is reserved soon but currently available.
Advance Warning: The yellow color acts as a warning that the room will soon be in use, allowing users to plan accordingly.

State 3: Room Occupied

Color Background: A red background was used to signify that the room is currently occupied.
Immediate Recognition: The red color serves as an immediate visual cue for "stop" or "busy," helping users quickly determine room status.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

After implementing design changes to the Cisco Room Navigator, including visual indicators for room availability and accessibility features for color-blind users, a prominent company initially considering Microsoft panels decided to temporarily deploy our devices due to delays with the Microsoft solution. The company's employees were impressed by the enhanced user experience, intuitive visual cues, and customizable interface of the Cisco Room Navigators. This positive feedback led the company to permanently adopt our solution, ultimately placing an order for approximately 1,600 devices, underscoring the success and effectiveness of our recent enhancements.

Shortly after, another company bought over 31,500 navigators for both, desk and wall units in Q4, resulting in a $17 million profit increase.