John Hughes Group
Lateral addressed performance and usability challenges in John Hughes Group's innovative Buy Backs system, transforming it into a dynamic, user-friendly tool. Optimised database architecture and improved UX design led to faster report generation and seamless client interactions, enhancing user engagement and maximising the system's potential.
Problem
Performance and Usability Issues with the Buy Backs System
John Hughes Group grappled with their Buy Backs system's performance issues, specifically slow report generation and a challenging user interface. These factors were affecting client utilisation of the system, posing a risk to long-term customer relationships and potential profitability. They required a more user-friendly and efficient system to bolster their unique offering.
Solution
Revamped Database Architecture and Improved User Experience
Lateral delivered a solution that preserved the Buy Backs system's core functionality while tackling performance and usability issues. The existing code base and architecture were found to be outdated, threatening future system robustness. Lateral proposed and executed a complete rewrite of the database architecture to boost report generation performance.
Previously, the system relied on the Titan database, John Hughes Group's proprietary database for vehicle information and inventory data. Each report generation required the system to scan this extensive database, leading to time-consuming operations.
Lateral developed a dedicated Buy Backs database that was regularly updated using Structured Query Language (SQL). This innovative architecture eliminated the need for the system to query the Titan database for each report, significantly speeding up the process. Report generation times were reduced from minutes to mere seconds.
Additionally, focusing on user experience, Lateral redesigned the system's forms following UX best practices. This improved data entry and overall system usability, addressing client utilisation issues.
Result
Boosted System Efficiency and Client Engagement
Through the strategic partnership with Lateral, John Hughes Group transformed their Buy Backs system into an efficient, value-rich tool. Lateral's expertise in design, navigation, and architecture overhauled the system's interface, delivering a seamless user experience that encouraged client engagement and maximised the system's utilisation.
The optimised database architecture drastically cut down report generation times, moving from minutes to seconds, increasing the system's efficiency. Improved user experience from the form redesign made the system more user-friendly, further boosting client interactions.
This transformation of the Buy Backs system strengthened John Hughes Group's unique offering, enhancing its value to clients and unlocking the system's full potential, ultimately contributing to the company's continued success.
“Thank you for all your hard work over the years.”
Donald Martin
General Manager IT of John Hughes Group
