An AIoT Smart Pole Management System
I rebuilt the design system and information architecture. Users hesitated 43% less on selection pages and clicked into wrong pages 57% less.
- Industry
- B2B SaaS AIoT
- Role
- UX/UI Designer
- Date
- 2024
- Tools
- Figma, GA4
Click-through rate on unintended pages.
Also: average dwell time on selection pages dropped 43%.
About the system
ServicePleX is a smart pole management system designed for city managers and maintenance teams. It integrates IoT devices, enabling clients to access real-time data, perform remote operations, and efficiently manage urban infrastructure.
What is 5G smart pole?
5G smart poles are multifunctional urban infrastructures that integrate various technologies such as smart lighting, surveillance cameras, environmental sensors, and digital displays. These poles serve as a backbone for smart cities, enabling better data collection, energy efficiency, and improved public services.
Why did we redesign the system?
Before I joined, the system had been built without a UX evaluation. I came in to reassess the experience and rebuild the foundation.
Design limitations & scalability issues
- For users : A rigid design results in an increasing number of UI components, making interactions more complex over time.
- For the business : As more devices are integrated into the system in the future, the lack of flexibility will make system management increasingly difficult.
Lack of clear user goals & navigation issues
- For users : Poor information architecture makes it difficult to quickly locate essential information, increasing the time required to complete tasks. Instead of improving efficiency, the system becomes a burden.
- For the business : Users encountering difficulties will require more customer support, leading to higher operational costs.
Research insights
I audited the system with heuristic principles and reviewed in-product usage data. Two issues stood out.
The design system lacks consistency, with variations in similar components, increasing the learning curve when navigating pages.
Usage data showed users hesitated when navigating to target pages.
Interaction metrics indicating hesitation
- Increased dwell time on selection pages If users spend significantly more time on pages where they need to choose a target (e.g., device lists, map view, or category pages), it may indicate difficulty in decision-making or uncertainty about where to find the needed information.
- Higher click-through rates on unintended pages If users frequently enter the wrong pages and navigate back, it suggests they are unsure about the correct path to their target.
Design goals
Consistency & Standardization
Creating a unified and intuitive design system to enhance usability.
Reduced Cognitive Load
Simplifying interactions to improve decision-making speed.
Flexible & Scalable Architecture
Ensuring the system supports future device expansions without sacrificing usability.
Redesigning the design system
I started by rebuilding the visual foundation, so similar interactions look and behave the same across pages.
A new systematic and scalable design system
Layout
Interface
Restructuring the information architecture
With the design system in place, I turned to the navigation itself: how pages are grouped, and how users move between them.
The structure of ServicePleX maintains consistency with hardware smart poles
Users should not have to wonder whether different words, situations, or actions mean the same thing. Follow platform and industry conventions.
Based on the fourth principle of Jakob Nielsen's ten heuristics — Consistency and Standards — we designed the system's structure to closely align with the physical smart pole, improving findability and ensuring that users can easily understand the navigation without confusion.
A flat hierarchy for better usability
Additionally, considering the product type and business strategy, the hierarchy should remain flat rather than deep to facilitate future device expansions. Keeping the hierarchy flexible and shallow helps prevent menus from becoming overwhelming due to excessive depth or cluttered organization.
Information architecture improvements
Overall Improvement Summary
- Dwell time on selection pages decreased significantly, indicating that users could find their target pages faster.
- Wrong click rate dropped, suggesting that navigation paths became more intuitive and users made fewer mistakes.
- The overall user experience improved by reducing hesitation and streamlining decision-making.
Project reviews
“The intuitive design structure greatly simplified our user's navigation process. We've seen immediate reductions in user errors and improved efficiency.”
“The new design system's consistency has streamlined our development and maintenance processes. It's much easier now to manage and scale.”