Abstract:

This case study explores the design and implementation of a central data store system at SanDisk, aimed at enhancing the efficiency of managing product data across multiple platforms, including the corporate website and third-party e-commerce sites. The central data store streamlined the product management process, resulting in a reported 60% increase in efficiency.

Background:

Before the central data store project, SanDisk faced the challenge of managing product information across multiple platforms. Updating product descriptions, images, SKUs, prices, languages, sizes, and capacities required manual changes for each individual product and region within the content management system. This process was not only time-consuming but also prone to errors, leading to inconsistencies across platforms.

Objective:

The primary objective of the Central Data Store project was to:

  1. Simplify and centralize product management, reducing the need for manual updates.
  2. Improve data accuracy and consistency across all platforms.
  3. Increase the efficiency of the product management process.
  4. Enable seamless integration with third-party e-commerce platforms.

Research and Analysis:

  1. User Interviews: The project began with in-depth interviews with product managers and content administrators to understand their pain points and needs. Insights from these interviews informed the project’s requirements.
  2. Competitive Analysis: A study of similar solutions used by other companies in the industry revealed the need for a more streamlined and efficient product management system.
  3. Usability Testing: Prototypes were created and tested with a group of internal users, providing valuable feedback that guided the design process.

Data Modeling

This was the first time I ever dove in and modeled the data, mapping out how everything fit in and interacted together. Here is an example of the data modeling diagram that I created:

Wireframes

I started by creating a rough wireframe to get an idea of what elements we needed as well as how to organize them.

Design and Implementation:

The central data store was designed with the following key features:

  1. Unified Dashboard: The central dashboard provided a single point of access to manage all product data, making it easy to add, update, or delete information.
  2. Product Attributes Management: Users could manage a wide range of attributes, including product descriptions, images, SKUs, prices, languages, sizes, and capacities.
  3. Version Control: The system maintained version control, allowing users to roll back changes if needed and ensuring data consistency.
  4. Third-Party Integration: Integration with third-party e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon, was established to facilitate the simultaneous update of product information across all platforms.
  5. Role-Based Permissions: Access control was implemented to ensure that the right personnel could perform specific tasks and prevent unauthorized changes.

Results:

The implementation of the central data store had a significant impact on product management at SanDisk:

  • Efficiency Improvement: Users reported a 60% increase in the speed of managing product data, with the streamlined process reducing manual effort.
  • Data Consistency: Inconsistencies in product information across platforms were significantly reduced, enhancing brand integrity.
  • Error Reduction: The automated system led to a decrease in data entry errors, ultimately improving the user experience for customers.
  • Scalability: The system proved to be scalable, allowing SanDisk to expand its product offerings without a significant increase in administrative overhead.

Output:

Here is an example of a product page on the corporate site with elements pulling from the Central Data Store (which I also redesigned as part of this project):

Conclusion:

The Central Data Store project at SanDisk successfully addressed the challenges of managing product information across multiple platforms. By centralizing product data and automating the distribution process, SanDisk achieved significant improvements in efficiency and data consistency. The project’s success underscores the importance of user-centered design and the positive impact of streamlined data management processes.

This case study serves as an example of how thoughtful UX design can lead to practical and efficient solutions that benefit both users and the organization.