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Challenge
Vertex is a cyber security data analysis platform that had already built a working product (Synapse) that ran in the terminal, but they needed an interface (Optic) to take it the next level. While Vertex isn’t the first firm to tackle big data analysis, they are the first to approach it in a novel way, so they didn’t want to be seen as just another platform. They wanted to be THE platform—the Photoshop of the data analysis world. They wanted Optic to stand above the others as the industry standard, not only through a simpler interface, but also (and more importantly) through a simpler, more efficient experience.
Several large corporations that were already using Synapse had developed their own in-house front-ends for it. Not only did Optic need to stand against competitors, but also against those interfaces built by in-house teams.
The Vertex team’s primary focus was on the backend of their app, which left little time to create a front-end. It also didn’t make sense to spend resources hiring and managing an entire in-house team to build their app. Turning to an outside firm that specializes in UX/UI design and app development with cybersecurity experience that could work alongside the current team, and on their own when necessary, was the best option. Off-loading much of the front-end project management to us allowed Vertex more time to focus on other priorities. How much time could you save by having an experienced design/dev partner?
Since Vertex had been working on and investing in Synapse for years, it had become something they felt a personal connection with and they didn’t just want anyone working on it. They wanted a team with experience in and a passion for cybersecurity that would put as much thought and care into the design and development of Optic as they put into the creation of Synapse.
Approach
In order to do this, we used our Designtific Method, where the needs of our customer’s customers come first. It starts with our Strategy Workshop, where we work with you to determine who your users are, what their needs are, and how we can best meet those needs. We then move on to UX design, where we take what we learned about your users and their needs, and determine the best way to meet those needs through design. We then take that design and turn it into an interactive experience with code.
Vertex wanted a fast interface that wouldn’t slow their users down.
The team wanted the limiting factor in productivity for those using the app to be the speed at which they could work, not the speed that data could load onto the screen, or how long it took to work through a form or close a modal. It doesn’t matter how quickly data loads onto the screen if an analyst has to click through 5 forms to accomplish a task, but it also doesn’t matter how quickly a form can be filled out it takes multiple seconds for data to load on each form.
Results
We accomplished the goals by building a clean, streamlined interface that still keeps a complex set of features surfaced and easy to access.
Vertex has a unique and instantly recognizable interface from across the room.
Vertex has landed several fortune 100 companies and three letter acronym government agencies.
Even as the product continued to evolve over the years, Vertex has been able to build upon the initial work we provided.
The Sodium Halogen team has proven expertise in designing and building advanced workflows and tailored data visualizations. They work tirelessly to understand the users needs in order to provide valuable insight into the UX patterns that could be tailored to fit even the most complex use cases. We have been able to build upon the designs they provided for years even as our own products continue to evolve.
We highly recommend involving them in the earliest stages of research to help guide UX, presentation, and visualization of research results to help stake holders understand the benefits provided by powerful new capabilities. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with them for years to come.
The Sodium Halogen team has proven expertise in designing and building advanced workflows and tailored data visualizations. They work tirelessly to understand the users needs in order to provide valuable insight into the UX patterns that could be tailored to fit even the most complex use cases. We have been able to build upon the designs they provided for years even as our own products continue to evolve.
We highly recommend involving them in the earliest stages of research to help guide UX, presentation, and visualization of research results to help stake holders understand the benefits provided by powerful new capabilities. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with them for years to come.
