Mentor Graphics /Siemens: Time Tracker Mobile Application
Mentor Graphics (now Siemens) engaged GRAYBOX to create a system that would better manage the time entries of their staff. After several in-depth meetings going over the vision for what Mentor Graphics was seeking, GRAYBOX came to the conclusion that an application that tracks engagement and time entries would be ideal for their purposes.
Overall Outcome
Employees were able to input time consistently within a system designed specific to the needs of Mentor Graphics.
The Results
GRAYBOX worked with the Mentor Graphics team to create a structurally unique and flexible application that improved employee engagement.
7
Device Configurations
5
Different Data Types
3
Significant Data Inputs / Components
The Overall Problem
Digital sales tools afford managers the ability to see everything that’s happening in a sales pipeline in real-time to empower them to take action. This bird's-eye view is vital for businesses to thrive. Without visibility, sales managers can’t manage people or measure results. The app was meant to serve the sales team by making everything simple and repeatable.
When Mentor Graphics, now Mentor, came to GRAYBOX, their staff was using an internal time tracking tool that staff found cumbersome and which didn’t grant management the visibility they needed to track sales efforts. Mentor Graphics engaged GRAYBOX for the ability to create UX/UI interfaces and digital business tools. Mentor Graphics needed a firm to that would partner closely with their sales team, building something custom and tailored to the unique needs of their business.
We’ve been pleased with our partnership with GRAYBOX. Your team is consistently knowledgeable and very helpful in our projects.
Our Solution
1. Deep Dive Into User Needs
The most successful apps always start with a deep understanding of the needs of the user. Focus group and survey data was gathered from their sales team so the GRAYBOX development team could have a more focused understanding what’s needed for the app and ensure the sales team was directly informed how the app worked.
2. UX/UI Driven By User Requirements
The user experience design of the app was crafted to match the workflow of the Mentor Graphics sales team. Click paths, menu organization, and functionality were all dictated by what the team needed.
3. Structure Informed by Data Requirements
We integrated five different data types across two major systems to form our final data structure for the app. The client needed the app coded in React, and GRAYBOX’s dev team took it upon ourselves to learn and engineer the entire system in this programming language.
4. Common Core of Code Across Interfaces
To optimize efforts and streamline our back end coding workflow, we worked hard to build a core code set that we could pull from across all interfaces. Between the mobile apps, the vast majority of it is common with just a wrapper to differentiate between the various device sizes and OS. Some of the code is reused in the web app as well. This is in contrast to other cross-platform and cross-device apps which are often built mostly from scratch for each device, leading to a costly and complicated iterative workflow.
It was our pleasure to work with Mentor Graphics prior to the Siemens acquistion — we worked as an overflow to their internal web services team, building powerful and tightly integrated internal line of business tools like their time tracker application.
Our Services
GRAYBOX worked with Mentor Graphics to create an app transforming their business operations along with other services.
The Mentor Graphics sales team saw a significant drop in time in app to record time entries – freeing up salespeople to focus on what they’re good at and work on getting results for the company.
GRAYBOX made three significant components: a core API with data store in the cloud, iOS and Android apps that connected to the API, and a website that connected to the API. The app was built to function on seven different device configurations: iPhone, iPad, Android Mobile, Android Tablet, and within a browser on Mobile, Tablet and Desktop screens.
One of the new features we added to the app was the ability for users to create multi-day time entries – if they’re working on one client for multiple days or weeks, the can enter all their time in one fell swoop. The final app has a UX that is designed exactly for the people who are using it. It’s elegant, fast and intuitive and presents click-paths with the least amount of friction to complete time entries.
7
Device Configurations
5
Different Data Types
3
Significant Data Inputs / Components
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