ARPath —
Procure-To-Pay B2B Platform
Incorporating the Purchase-Order module within the business configuration
Lilac's Pastries
Urban Oasis —
ARPath
PROCURE-TO-PAY B2B PLATFORM
E-commerce (pickup) App for gluten-free pastries, desserts and sweets based in Connecticut.
Intro
ARPath is a Saas company that provides a B2B Procure-to-Pay platform designed to assist businesses in automating their accounts payable and receivable processes.
The platform offers a configurable business setup, enabling users to tailor solutions to their specific business requirements
This customization capability empowers users to modify standard business processes, incorporate new features, or eliminate unnecessary ones. Such flexibility facilitates workflow automation, enhances operational efficiency, and drives cost reduction.
Procure-to-Pay (P2P) Process
The primary goal of the project was to integrate the Purchase Order (PO) module into the existing business configuration.
The PO module responsible for managing the entire purchase process, including customized workflows, integrations with other systems, custom fields, approval rules, and reporting customization.
The project aimed to expand and enhance the module's settings by integrating additional features to provide our clients with greater control and customization options directly within the system.
Objectives
Empowering Business Users
The configurable nature of the platform allows users to seamlessly integrate with other systems, such as CRM or ERP systems, facilitating data sharing and task automation.
This customization is typically undertaken by business users rather than IT professionals, who play crucial roles in overseeing procurement and payment processes. Access to account settings is restricted to these administrators to uphold security standards and ensure a specialized user experience.
To achieve our project goals within the constraints of our resources, we prioritized user needs by leveraging competitive analysis and best practices to inform our design decisions. This approach enabled us to create an interface that feels both intuitive and familiar to users, despite the limitations we faced.
My research focused on establishing a clear visual hierarchy to enhance navigation, ensuring that users can easily find and interact with key features. I also examined various use cases for Selection Controls and components, aiming to keep the design user-friendly while ensuring it remains competitive in functionality.
Navigating Constraints:
A User-Focused Design Journey
Mapping ARPath Settings structure
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Lack of Clear Module Separation
We identified that the absence of distinct separation between modules and subcategories resulted in user confusion.
Extended Challenges
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Order Flexibility Control
This feature allows businesses to adjust purchase orders (POs) by permitting suppliers to deliver more goods or delay delivery under certain conditions. For example, businesses can authorize slight increases in quantities or minor delays, helping manage changes in supplier lead times or customer demand while maintaining control and avoiding overpayment.
New Features Requirements
Requirements and Challenges
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Confirm Order and Schedules Simultaneously
This feature enables businesses to confirm orders and schedules in one step, streamlining the PO process and reducing the number of actions required.
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Information Overload
Mapping the settings page structure revealed that users faced overwhelming amounts of information and capabilities.
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Unclear Naming and Concepts
In our analysis, we found that ambiguous names, concepts, and terms within the system led to usability challenges for users.
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Inactive Module Clarity
Our evaluation highlighted the need to differentiate active from inactive modules on user accounts to enhance clarity.
Process governance new design structure
Designing Order Flexibility Control
To meet user needs, we designed PO Flexibility features that provide intuitive control over delivery timing and quantities.
Date Tolerance settings use input steppers for users to easily set acceptable windows for early or late delivery, with an on/off switch for splitting delivery lines as needed to better align with supplier schedules.
For Quantity Tolerance, users can define limits by percentage or absolute values, with the system applying the more conservative of the two.
These controls help users manage unforeseen changes smoothly, ensuring an adaptable, user-centered experience.
Zoom in on the new order flexibility control features
Confirm Order and Schedules Simultaneously
In designing the feature, we prioritized simplicity and user flow by enabling single-step confirmations when both Order Purchase Confirmation and Order Purchase Schedule Confirmation are active.
To maintain logical placement, we integrated this feature within the Schedule Confirmation section, following PO Confirmation.
As part of our effort to give customers greater control, we included radio buttons that allow users to choose whether to receive confirmations as a single message or two separate messages, ensuring seamless integration with their systems.
Zoom in on One step confirmation feature
A Glimpse at the Final Screens
Below are the final designs that showcase how our solutions come together to create a seamless and user-friendly experience.
