Display manager software

Display manager software

Transforming digital display management in betting shops across the United Kingdom

Transforming digital display management in betting shops across the United Kingdom

Tab Screenshot
Tab Screenshot
Tab Screenshot
Overview

In the high-paced world of retail betting, managing digital displays across thousands of shops is a challenge that demands precision, efficiency, and scalability. Gantry is a content streaming platform developed to revolutionize how Ladbrokes and Coral control digital displays in their 2,700 UK retail shops. By automating asset distribution and streamlining workflows, Gantry empowers the Broadcasting team to focus on monitoring and strategic oversight rather than repetitive manual tasks.


As a UX Designer, I led the design process for this transformation, from research and discovery to wireframes and implementation, crafting an intuitive and scalable solution that reduced user error, training time, and operational inefficiencies.

In the high-paced world of retail betting, managing digital displays across thousands of shops is a challenge that demands precision, efficiency, and scalability. Gantry is a content streaming platform developed to revolutionize how Ladbrokes and Coral control digital displays in their 2,700 UK retail shops. By automating asset distribution and streamlining workflows, Gantry empowers the Broadcasting team to focus on monitoring and strategic oversight rather than repetitive manual tasks.


As a UX Designer, I led the design process for this transformation, from research and discovery to wireframes and implementation, crafting an intuitive and scalable solution that reduced user error, training time, and operational inefficiencies.

In the high-paced world of retail betting, managing digital displays across thousands of shops is a challenge that demands precision, efficiency, and scalability. Gantry is a content streaming platform developed to revolutionize how Ladbrokes and Coral control digital displays in their 2,700 UK retail shops. By automating asset distribution and streamlining workflows, Gantry empowers the Broadcasting team to focus on monitoring and strategic oversight rather than repetitive manual tasks.


As a UX Designer, I led the design process for this transformation, from research and discovery to wireframes and implementation, crafting an intuitive and scalable solution that reduced user error, training time, and operational inefficiencies.

The challenge

The existing system for managing digital displays was outdated and inefficient, relying on two separate platforms for Ladbrokes and Coral.

Key pain points:

  • Time-Consuming Tasks: The manual drag-and-drop asset assignment was labor-intensive and prone to error.

  • Fragmented Workflows: The need to switch between two platforms created unnecessary complexity.

  • High Cognitive Load: The disjointed user experience overwhelmed new employees, requiring extensive training.

The result? A system that struggled to meet the demands of a dynamic retail environment, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

The existing system for managing digital displays was outdated and inefficient, relying on two separate platforms for Ladbrokes and Coral.

Key pain points:

  • Time-Consuming Tasks: The manual drag-and-drop asset assignment was labor-intensive and prone to error.

  • Fragmented Workflows: The need to switch between two platforms created unnecessary complexity.

  • High Cognitive Load: The disjointed user experience overwhelmed new employees, requiring extensive training.

The result? A system that struggled to meet the demands of a dynamic retail environment, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

The existing system for managing digital displays was outdated and inefficient, relying on two separate platforms for Ladbrokes and Coral.

Key pain points:

  • Time-Consuming Tasks: The manual drag-and-drop asset assignment was labor-intensive and prone to error.

  • Fragmented Workflows: The need to switch between two platforms created unnecessary complexity.

  • High Cognitive Load: The disjointed user experience overwhelmed new employees, requiring extensive training.

The result? A system that struggled to meet the demands of a dynamic retail environment, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

The existing system for managing digital displays was outdated and inefficient, relying on two separate platforms for Ladbrokes and Coral.

Key pain points:

  • Time-Consuming Tasks: The manual drag-and-drop asset assignment was labor-intensive and prone to error.

  • Fragmented Workflows: The need to switch between two platforms created unnecessary complexity.

  • High Cognitive Load: The disjointed user experience overwhelmed new employees, requiring extensive training.

The result? A system that struggled to meet the demands of a dynamic retail environment, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Mobile Screenshot
Mobile Screenshot

Proposed solution by an external agency

Mobile Screenshot
Mobile Screenshot

Proposed solution by an external agency

Mobile Screenshot
Mobile Screenshot

Proposed solution by an external agency

Approach: Merging User-Centered Design with Business Objectives
  • I have run user interviews with the broadcasting team to understand their expectations and pain points using the software and the dev team to conduct tech feasibility.

  • I hosted Heuristic Evaluation workshop with a couple of colleagues to evaluated both softwares to identify critical issues based on Jakob Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics.

  • I created an indirect competitor analysis to comprehensively understand the market landscape and identify potential areas for improvement.

  • I run +10 workshops with the wide stakeholders to brainstorm ideas and discuss potential solutions.

  • I have run user interviews with the broadcasting team to understand their expectations and pain points using the software and the dev team to conduct tech feasibility.

  • I hosted Heuristic Evaluation workshop with a couple of colleagues to evaluated both softwares to identify critical issues based on Jakob Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics.

  • I created an indirect competitor analysis to comprehensively understand the market landscape and identify potential areas for improvement.

  • I run +10 workshops with the wide stakeholders to brainstorm ideas and discuss potential solutions.

  • I have run user interviews with the broadcasting team to understand their expectations and pain points using the software and the dev team to conduct tech feasibility.

  • I hosted Heuristic Evaluation workshop with a couple of colleagues to evaluated both softwares to identify critical issues based on Jakob Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics.

  • I created an indirect competitor analysis to comprehensively understand the market landscape and identify potential areas for improvement.

  • I run +10 workshops with the wide stakeholders to brainstorm ideas and discuss potential solutions.

Example of the 'Our Horses' and 'Horse Profile' screens presented to the stakeholders

Example of the 'Our Horses' and 'Horse Profile' screens presented to the stakeholders

UX strategy

I organized a workshop with to discuss key pain points, wants and needs. We classified all gathered insights and established the clear objective by outlining four fundamental components of the potential solution: the Asset Library, Screen Layout & Playlist, Screen Assignment Process, and Automation.

I organized a workshop with to discuss key pain points, wants and needs. We classified all gathered insights and established the clear objective by outlining four fundamental components of the potential solution: the Asset Library, Screen Layout & Playlist, Screen Assignment Process, and Automation.

I organized a workshop with to discuss key pain points, wants and needs. We classified all gathered insights and established the clear objective by outlining four fundamental components of the potential solution: the Asset Library, Screen Layout & Playlist, Screen Assignment Process, and Automation.

Designing a User-Centric platform

The goal was clear: create a unified, intuitive platform that automates repetitive tasks, reduces errors, and simplifies training.


Introducing automation and profiles


The solution combined automation with manual flexibility:

  1. Automated Asset Assignment: Content is automatically distributed across displays using predefined profiles.

  2. Unified Platform: One platform for both Ladbrokes and Coral, eliminating the need for separate systems.

  3. Flexible Manual Control: Broadcasting teams retained the ability to manually assign assets for bespoke setups.


These features significantly reduced the cognitive load, time spent on tasks, and error rates.

The goal was clear: create a unified, intuitive platform that automates repetitive tasks, reduces errors, and simplifies training.


Introducing automation and profiles


The solution combined automation with manual flexibility:

  1. Automated Asset Assignment: Content is automatically distributed across displays using predefined profiles.

  2. Unified Platform: One platform for both Ladbrokes and Coral, eliminating the need for separate systems.

  3. Flexible Manual Control: Broadcasting teams retained the ability to manually assign assets for bespoke setups.


These features significantly reduced the cognitive load, time spent on tasks, and error rates.

The goal was clear: create a unified, intuitive platform that automates repetitive tasks, reduces errors, and simplifies training.


Introducing automation and profiles


The solution combined automation with manual flexibility:

  1. Automated Asset Assignment: Content is automatically distributed across displays using predefined profiles.

  2. Unified Platform: One platform for both Ladbrokes and Coral, eliminating the need for separate systems.

  3. Flexible Manual Control: Broadcasting teams retained the ability to manually assign assets for bespoke setups.


These features significantly reduced the cognitive load, time spent on tasks, and error rates.


Phased development and iterative learning

Phased development and iterative learning

Phased development and iterative learning

We delivered incremental improvements by breaking the ideal solution into manageable phases while gathering valuable user feedback at each stage.


For Phase 3, where automation and a more complex solution were introduced, we conducted targeted user testing to validate usability and ensure the software was easy to navigate by the users.

We delivered incremental improvements by breaking the ideal solution into manageable phases while gathering valuable user feedback at each stage.


For Phase 3, where automation and a more complex solution were introduced, we conducted targeted user testing to validate usability and ensure the software was easy to navigate by the users.

We delivered incremental improvements by breaking the ideal solution into manageable phases while gathering valuable user feedback at each stage.


For Phase 3, where automation and a more complex solution were introduced, we conducted targeted user testing to validate usability and ensure the software was easy to navigate by the users.

Sample questions from the stakeholders interviews

Responsive to constraints

Responsive to constraints

Responsive to constraints

Agile collaboration with cross-functional teams allowed us to address technical and resource constraints in real time. Whether it was re-prioritizing features or finding alternative solutions, we worked closely with stakeholders to deliver the best possible experience at each stage.

Agile collaboration with cross-functional teams allowed us to address technical and resource constraints in real time. Whether it was re-prioritizing features or finding alternative solutions, we worked closely with stakeholders to deliver the best possible experience at each stage.

Agile collaboration with cross-functional teams allowed us to address technical and resource constraints in real time. Whether it was re-prioritizing features or finding alternative solutions, we worked closely with stakeholders to deliver the best possible experience at each stage.

Competitor Analysis

Design system and accessibility: creating a user-friendly interface

During the UI stage it was required to create a Design System. I deliberately chose neutral colours to maintain a non-distracting interface for users, preventing eye strain during prolonged usage of the software throughout the day.

During the UI stage it was required to create a Design System. I deliberately chose neutral colours to maintain a non-distracting interface for users, preventing eye strain during prolonged usage of the software throughout the day.

During the UI stage it was required to create a Design System. I deliberately chose neutral colours to maintain a non-distracting interface for users, preventing eye strain during prolonged usage of the software throughout the day.

The project demanded frequent touchpoints across disciplines, ensuring that every iteration addressed both user requirements and technical feasibility. This agile environment fostered rapid decision-making and a shared sense of ownership among the team.

The project demanded frequent touchpoints across disciplines, ensuring that every iteration addressed both user requirements and technical feasibility. This agile environment fostered rapid decision-making and a shared sense of ownership among the team.

The project demanded frequent touchpoints across disciplines, ensuring that every iteration addressed both user requirements and technical feasibility. This agile environment fostered rapid decision-making and a shared sense of ownership among the team.

The result
Delivered within 7-weeks deadline
Delivered within 7-weeks deadline
45,000 members within first two weeks sicne lauch
45,000 members within first two weeks sicne lauch
Access to personalized content based on their membership status
Access to personalized content based on their membership status
Key learnings


Stakeholder management

A stakeholder miscommunication on the delivery date was resolved via email confirmation. To prevent this, we recommend setting clear deadlines with PMs via email.

Stakeholder management

A stakeholder miscommunication on the delivery date was resolved via email confirmation. To prevent this, we recommend setting clear deadlines with PMs via email.

Stakeholder management

A stakeholder miscommunication on the delivery date was resolved via email confirmation. To prevent this, we recommend setting clear deadlines with PMs via email.

Stakeholder management

A stakeholder miscommunication on the delivery date was resolved via email confirmation. To prevent this, we recommend setting clear deadlines with PMs via email.

Managing expectations

Clearly communicate to PMs that any changes to requirements will extend the project timeline.

Managing expectations

Clearly communicate to PMs that any changes to requirements will extend the project timeline.

Managing expectations

Clearly communicate to PMs that any changes to requirements will extend the project timeline.

Managing expectations

Clearly communicate to PMs that any changes to requirements will extend the project timeline.

Open communication

Working with a defensive, secretive creative team taught me the value of open communication.

Open communication

Working with a defensive, secretive creative team taught me the value of open communication.

Open communication

Working with a defensive, secretive creative team taught me the value of open communication.

Open communication

Working with a defensive, secretive creative team taught me the value of open communication.

Get in touch

smolarczykkarolina@gmail.com

© Karolina Smolarczyk 2024

© Karolina Smolarczyk 2024

Get in touch

smolarczykkarolina@gmail.com

© Karolina Smolarczyk 2024

© Karolina Smolarczyk 2024

© Karolina Smolarczyk 2024

© Karolina Smolarczyk 2024

Get in touch

smolarczykkarolina@gmail.com

© Karolina Smolarczyk 2024

© Karolina Smolarczyk 2024

Get in touch

smolarczykkarolina@gmail.com