Hilco Global
Hilco Global operates across five continents with a diverse portfolio spanning asset valuation, advisory, monetization capital, and disposition services. The client faced a critical business problem stemming from an outdated legacy application that encompassed both an external Client Portal and an internal Administrative Portal, leading to operational inefficiencies and data silos. They were looking for a long-term data strategy assessment, to identify internal and external products that can give Hilco an edge in the marketplace.
I was tasked with spearheading the design of various software solutions, encompassing an external-facing Customer Dashboard, internal marketing tools, financial dashboards tailored for executives, and more. My role was to drive the design process that aligns seamlessly with the business requirements. Collaborating closely with stakeholders and our development team, the goal was to not only address the existing challenges but also enhance the overall user experience for both external clients and internal administrative users.
Business Problem
Outdated Legacy Solution & Process
The existing technology solution was outdated, challenging to scale and support, and suffered from performance and usability issues.
The legacy application needed a comprehensive replacement to align with modern technological standards.
Operational Inefficiencies
Multiple business units relied on disparate tools such as spreadsheets, shared drives, and applications lacking robust reporting functionality.
Siloed data hindered the aggregation necessary for operational reporting, dashboarding, and analytics.
Integration Challenges
A comprehensive solution was required to bridge the gap between external client-facing needs and internal administrative requirements.
Approach
Stakeholder Meetings
Met with key stakeholders to understand the nuances of external client needs and internal administrative workflows.
Identified pain points in the legacy system to inform the design process.
Comprehensive User Research
Undertook extensive user research, interviewing end-users from various business units to gain insights into their current tools and challenges.
Identified opportunities to streamline workflows and improve data accessibility.
Development Team Collaboration
Worked closely with the internal IT team to understand technical constraints and possibilities.
Facilitated a collaborative design and development process to ensure integration feasibility.
UI Design and Prototyping
Designed an intuitive and visually appealing user interface, considering both external client-facing aesthetics and internal administrative functionality.
Developed interactive prototypes to validate the user experience and gather feedback.
Usability Testing and Iteration
Conducted usability testing sessions with end-users to validate the design solutions.
Iterated on the designs based on user feedback, ensuring a user-centric approach.
A pivotal element of my design approach involved creating a design system around the bootstrap framework - a limitation provided by the development team. Drawing inspiration from the user-friendly principles of Material, I undertook the task of developing a system that not only harmonized with the client's brand but also elevated the overall user experience throughout the applications, ensuring a seamless experience across the various tools. The following highlights a selection of the elements and components:
Hilco Valuation Services (HVS) has engaged Aspirent to assist in building a Customer Dashboard / Industry Insights customer-facing module.
The project with Hilco and the new, modern platform design deliverables exemplifies a successful collaboration that tackled complex challenges. By focusing on user needs, streamlining workflows, and addressing the limitations of the legacy system and processes, we successfully delivered a modernized solution. The platform not only meets the diverse requirements of external clients and internal administrative users but also positions Hilco Global for continued success in the competitive landscape.
