PRIVM (Precise Inventory Manager)

Platform

Android & iOS

Client

PRIVM LABS

Role

UX/UI Designer

Duration

4 Weeks

Overview

PRIVM (Precise Inventory Manager) is a digital platform designed to help users manage and keep stock of their stores and goods. Tailored for merchants (store owners) and storekeepers (employees who manage stores under merchants), PRIVM provides an intuitive way to monitor inventory, sales, product expiry, and store assets in real-time.

Project Goals

  • Simplify inventory and asset management for business owners.
  • Provide merchants with high-level overviews and detailed insights.
  • Enable storekeepers to operate within assigned permissions.
  • Notify users about key activities, such as low stock levels, product expirations, and store activity.
  • Offer robust onboarding for both account types with flexible sign-up options.
  • Target Users

  • Merchants: Business owners who want to manage their inventory across one or multiple stores.
  • Storekeepers: Employees responsible for managing inventory within stores assigned by merchants.
  • User Research

    We conducted user interviews and observational studies across 15 store owners and 10 storekeepers in local markets. A key finding was that many of the merchants were elderly and had challenges using other digital inventory tools due to small text sizes and complex UI structures.

    Another important insight was that all users (both merchants and storekeepers) relied on WhatsApp as their primary instant messaging app. Many did not frequently check SMS inboxes, and using WhatsApp for communications was both familiar and data-efficient.

    Key Insights:

  • Merchants preferred simpler interfaces with minimal text.
  • Many relied on their device’s default settings for readability.
  • Text-to-speech and larger font sizes were commonly requested.
  • WhatsApp was preferred over SMS for receiving messages, including one-time passwords (OTPs).
  • Design Response:

  • App font size defaults to match the user’s device setting.
  • Long-press text-to-speech was implemented to improve accessibility.
  • OTPs during signup are now sent via WhatsApp instead of SMS to save cost and improve delivery success.
  • User Personas

    1. Adewale - The Elder Merchant

  • Age: 64
  • Occupation: Store owner with 3 shops
  • Goals: Track what is selling fast, keep storekeepers accountable
  • Pain Points: Difficulty reading small text, forgets which products are about to expire
  • Needs: Voice-assistance, larger fonts, summaries instead of full reports
  • 2. Grace - The Young Storekeeper

  • Age: 27
  • Occupation: Works in two stores under different merchants
  • Goals: Restock items fast, keep inventory clean and updated
  • Pain Points: Confusing UIs, delayed OTPs, no way to report stock problems
  • Needs: Clear navigation, easy-to-use item restock interface, push notifications
  • Onboarding Flow

    To create a frictionless entry into PRIVM, the onboarding includes:

  • Four Welcome Screens: Educate users about core features with a visual walkthrough.
  • Flexible Sign-up Options: Google, email, or phone number with OTP verification for trust and security.
  • WhatsApp OTP Support: OTPs are sent through WhatsApp to ensure better delivery and cost savings based on user habits.
  • Account Type Selection: Merchant or Storekeeper selection impacts access levels and permissions.
  • User Profile Setup: Name, username, optional email, password, DOB, location, and address help personalize experiences and support compliance.
  • UX Rationale: Clear, multi-step onboarding reduces cognitive load, builds trust, and sets expectations, especially important for users managing critical inventory data.

    Information Architecture & Structure

    PRIVM is structured around a bottom navigation bar with four sections:

  • Dashboard
  • Stores
  • Notifications
  • Profile
  • This layout ensures that essential features are easily accessible and encourages exploration without overwhelming users.

    Key App Sections

    1. Dashboard
    Displays real-time metrics:

  • Total No. of Items Sold Today
  • Total No. of Items Onboarded Today
  • Total No. of Stores
  • Total No. of Items in All Stores
  • Total Value of Items in All Stores
  • Line chart comparing items onboarded vs. items sold (filters: 24hrs, 1mo, 6mo, 1yr)
  • Expiring items (next 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 360 days)
  • Goods expiring soon (sorted from soonest to latest with days left)
  • UX Rationale: Visual summaries and charts allow users to quickly grasp performance trends. Time filters provide meaningful historical comparisons.

    2. Stores

  • Overview of all stores and their values.
  • Storekeepers assigned to each store.
  • Store assets: equipment, tools, etc.
  • All goods categorized by:
  • a) Expiring soon
    b) High demand
    c) Low demand

  • Actions:
  • a) View/edit items
    b) Onboard new items
    c) View product history
    d) Restock/sell units

    UX Rationale: A comprehensive yet segmented layout ensures that merchants and storekeepers can manage everything at a glance, with drill-downs for deeper insight.

    3. Notifications

  • Inventory updates: onboarded/sold
  • Item expirations
  • Storekeeper/store activity
  • UX Rationale: Keeping users informed helps prevent stockouts and reduces errors. A dedicated tab avoids cluttering other sections.

    4. Profile

  • Edit user profile
  • Payment methods
  • Upgrade account (to add more stores)
  • Preferences:
  • a) Currency & language
    b) Notification settings (push, email)
    c) Biometric login
    d) 2FA
    e) Low stock threshold setting
    f) Dark mode toggle

  • Accessibility:
  • a) Font size control
    b) Long-press for text-to-speech

  • Help Centre:
  • a) FAQs
    b) Step-by-step guides
    c) Contact support

    UX Rationale: This section provides full user control while supporting inclusivity and assistive technologies. Customizability increases user satisfaction and app longevity.

    Ideation & Structure

    Initial ideation included stakeholder interviews and user stories to identify primary needs. Merchants demanded quick overviews, expiry notifications, and asset history. Storekeepers needed streamlined restocking and sales recording.

    Wireframes & Prototyping:

  • Low-fidelity wireframes validated the IA and user flows.
  • Mid-fidelity prototypes helped test UI component clarity and navigation logic.
  • High-fidelity mockups applied the final visual identity and components.
  • Testing Insights:

  • Users preferred OTP for phone number sign-up over email due to speed.
  • Merchants appreciated the expiring items countdown feature.
  • Storekeepers requested easy item restocking from the history view.
  • WhatsApp was preferred for OTP delivery over SMS.
  • Visual Identity

  • Typography: Satoshi
  • a) Body text: 14px
    b) Headings: 18px
    c) Subheadings: 16px

  • Primary Color: #0F3695 (Deep Navy Blue)
  • Icons: Outline style for minimal, modern appearance
  • UX Rationale: Satoshi was chosen for its geometric, clean lines that enhance readability and give a modern tech-forward feel. Deep navy (#0F3695) signifies trust and precision, aligning with the brand's promise of accurate inventory management.

    Accessibility Considerations

  • Long-press to activate text-to-speech
  • Font resize controls
  • Default font size matches device setting
  • Biometric and 2FA for secure but accessible login
  • Contrast checked for color combinations
  • Annotated Wireframes & Screens

    1. Onboarding Screens
  • Highlights key features and app value props
  • Annotation: Swipe or tap to continue, designed for visual clarity
  • 2. Dashboard Overview
  • Visual summary of store metrics
  • Annotation: Interactive filters and charts allow time-based comparisons
  • 3. Store Details Page
  • Includes expiring stock, high/low demand goods
  • Annotation: Quick actions like restock and sell built into item cards
  • 4. Profile Settings and Accessibility
  • Customizable experience based on user needs
  • Annotation: Font size, language, and accessibility tools prioritized
  • Conclusion

    PRIVM empowers merchants and storekeepers with the tools they need to efficiently manage stores and goods. Through thoughtful onboarding, a robust dashboard, and smart notifications, it transforms traditional inventory headaches into streamlined, data-informed workflows.

    The design and UX decisions were grounded in clarity, precision, and adaptability, ensuring PRIVM stands out as a dependable inventory companion for growing businesses.