APC Uninterruptible Power Supply System

As part of the development of a new Uninterruptible Power Supply solution for the consumer market, APC wanted to provide a seamless and reliable combination of hardware and software.

APC is a leading developer and supplier of hardware and software solutions for power supply management. APC supplies a wide range of products to both business and consumers; products in the range include Uninterruptible Power Supplies [UPS], Power Management software and devices, Surge Protection products etc.

When APC began the development of a UPS power management solution for the consumer market, they recognized the need for a user-centred application. Frontend provided usability testing and design services to improve the usability and visual aspects of the software application.

The Project

The main purpose of the software was to assist the user while configuring the UPS and also to notify the user of power supply variations, while helping to avoid loss of data or damage to equipment:-

System Configuration Wizard - Helps the user to correctly adjust the UPS for their system. Sensitivity, integration with windows hibernation, advanced settings, automatic self testing

System Monitoring and Running on Battery Power - The user needs to be notified when the system goes onto battery power or is going to shutdown/hibernate.

Event Logging - Power events are recorded and can be viewed by the user. This allows users to see that the UPS is working correctly

Frontend carried out extensive requirements gathering, design and usability testing of the application:-

Requirement Gathering

• Initial Project Launch Client Workshop
• Task Analysis
• Heuristic Evaluation of the Existing Application
• Benchmark User-Testing of the Existing Prototype Application
• Requirement Gathering Report

Interface Design and Testing

• Detailed analysis of system requirements
• Interaction design and logic definition
• Cognitive walkthrough presentation
• System Design User Testing
• Visual Design
• Visual Design User Testing
• Post Implementation QA

Configuration Screen

Performance Monitoring Screen

To find out more about our experience and services, contact us.