Modernizing Small Business IT

Small businesses often lack dedicated IT support, leaving owners and employees to manage complex technology with limited expertise. Intel recognized this challenge and developed Small Business Advantage (SBA), a suite of hardware, firmware, and software utilities designed to provide crucial IT and security features in an accessible way. However, after two years on the market, SBA 3.0 was due for a refresh. Intel sought a partner to not only modernize the user experience but also to thoughtfully reassess the user journey and create a scalable interface for future growth. This is where Concrete stepped in.

Intel entrusted Concrete with the full design, usability testing, and development of the user interface (UI) for SBA 4.0, encompassing both Windows desktop and Android mobile platforms. User experience was identified as a key differentiator for this new release. Intel’s vision for SBA 4.0 centered around a suite of collaboration capabilities, which would become a cornerstone of the redesigned software.

Concrete embarked on a complex and multidisciplinary project that involved several iterative cycles of interaction design (IxD) and visual design (VxD). These cycles were characterized by weekly reviews and close collaboration with the Intel team, ensuring alignment and incorporating valuable client feedback throughout the process.

A core element of Concrete’s approach was the creation of a high-functioning and fully responsive prototype. This prototype was crucial for simulating the new collaboration and management features in a realistic way across both desktop and mobile platforms, allowing for thorough testing and refinement.

To ensure the design resonated with the target audience, Concrete conducted hands-on usability testing of the prototype. The insights gained from these sessions were meticulously analyzed and synthesized, directly informing both the design iterations and the very definition of the product. This research-driven approach ensured that the redesigned SBA 4.0 would truly meet the needs of small business owners.

Beyond functionality, Concrete focused on the visual design and language, applying a client brand refresh to create a modern and cohesive look and feel. This included explorations of icons for the application and its various features.

To facilitate a seamless transition to development, Concrete embedded developer resources with the Intel team. These resources provided expertise in presentation layer development for both Windows and Android platforms. This close collaboration ensured that the final product was not only well-designed but also technically sound and aligned with the intended user experience.

Recognizing the importance of market adoption, Intel also engaged Concrete to understand their marketing objectives and to create sell-in materials and a full promo video showcasing users interacting with and reacting to the SBA 4.0 design. This included scriptwriting, on-camera interviews, footage production, and the final video editing.

The comprehensive scope of the project is reflected in the deliverables Concrete provided, which included:

• Detailed project schedule

• Analysis of the product, personas, and potential interaction models

• Axure prototypes – responsive in the browser plus a native Android app simulation

• Visual design mood boards, comps, and specs

• Usability test screener, protocol, and final report with detailed analysis

• Windows and Android UI code and supporting documentation

• Promotional product brief

• Script, on-camera interviews, footage, production, and final video

• Source files for all of the above

The result of this intensive collaboration was a resounding success. Intel benefited from a full research-driven design process, yielding early product insights that shaped the development of SBA 4.0. The iterative interaction and visual design process explored various options to maximize user value, culminating in a tested and refined design. The UI development was firmly grounded in both the intended design and the valuable user data gathered during testing. Furthermore, the promotional video served as a powerful marketing tool, validating the positive user experience with target customers.

Concrete's partnership with Intel on the Small Business Advantage suite demonstrates the power of a user-centered, research-driven design and development process. By combining deep expertise in UX, visual design, prototyping, usability testing, and development, Concrete delivered a modern and intuitive software solution that met Intel’s objectives and delighted potential users.

Ready to transform your product idea into a successful reality? Contact Concrete today in the form below to discuss your next product development project.