The Brief
HP StorageWorks provide their customers with a massive range of storage solutions, including software storage, disk storage, virtualised storage and tape storage. The problem they faced, with the tape storage in particular, was creating an effective method of matching compatible storage media and hardware which both the sales team and customers would find easy to use.
The existing solution was a large folded, printed matrix of products, which was proving expensive and near impossible to keep up-to-date.
Our Solution
The obvious solution was web-based interface with an integrated product administration area which allows products and categories to be updated or added instantly.
Built using Flash the tool has a funky feel about it and is also intuitive to use, with large tabbed categories so the media products could be found within a couple of clicks, a quick search and an advanced search. Each media product has some basic details and a list of compatible hardware.
Extra functionality was added as the tool grew, such as a feedback form to get users ideas on how the tool could be improved; the ability to export the results to PDF, CSV or TXT; the ability to print the results and the ability to register with the site, receive regular newsletters and view additional information.
Such was the success of the tool that three other departments at HP contacted us to create similar tools for their product ranges: hpsancompat.com, hpecompattool.com and hpecompattool.com/iwsles
Key Areas
- Product admin area
- Dynamic Flash interface
- Site registration
- Printable compatibility tables
- Compatibility export
- Newsletters