Vendor Management App

Vendor Management App: A User-Centric Approach

This app streamlines vendor management for flash sales and seasonal merchandise procurement. Here’s a breakdown of the user journey:

Merchant/Sales Team:

  • Login & Profile Creation: Merchants and the sales team create login IDs to access the app.
  • Flash Sale Management:
    • The sales team submits requests for flash sales with specific requirements.
    • Vendors can regularly upload product catalogs with details like:
      • Price
      • Manufacturing Capacity
      • Production Time
      • Size Availability
  • Collaboration & Selection:
    • Merchants can review catalogs and share them with the sales team and designers.
    • A voting system allows for collaborative selection based on popularity and price fit.
  • Merchant Dashboard:
    • Provides a comprehensive overview:
      • Inventory Levels
      • Sales Team Demands
      • Vendor Payment Status
      • Defective Product/Return Management
      • Shipment Tracking
      • Vendor Performance Metrics
      • New Vendor Discovery
  • Catalog Management:
    • Dedicated tab for exploring new catalogs.
    • Ability to like, comment on, and search by catalog or user.
  • Vendor Management:
    • Access vendor profiles to view performance reviews and control access permissions.
  • Notifications System:
    • Centralized notification hub with search functionality, especially for system-generated alerts.

Vendor Side:

  • Vendor Profile & Catalog Creation:
    • Vendors create dedicated profile pages showcasing their products.
    • Upload product catalogs with detailed information.
  • Product Reviews & Feedback:
    • View and respond to user reviews submitted on their products.
  • Special Offers Management:
    • Create targeted promotions for sales or festive seasons.

This user-centric design promotes efficient collaboration between merchants, sales teams, and vendors, ensuring successful flash sales and seasonal product procurement.

Wireframe Image
Screenshot of wireframe
Some brainstorming and feature exploration with stakeholders
Mind map
Sequence map designed for some high level touch points
Flow chart

Unified Login Experience

The app employs a single login page for merchants, vendors, sales teams, and designers. This ensures a consistent user experience across different user groups. Access control through Single Sign-On (SSO) or Role-Based Least Privilege (RLS) then grants users access to the specific features and functionalities relevant to their roles after successful login.

This approach offers several benefits:

  • Simplified login process: Users only need to remember one set of login credentials.
  • Reduced development and maintenance effort: Maintaining a single login page is more efficient than managing multiple variations.
  • Improved user experience: Users benefit from a consistent login experience regardless of their role.

Merchant Home: A Centralized Hub for Inventory Management:

Designed to cater to the core needs of merchants, this homepage serves as a central hub for efficient inventory management. Key features include:

  • Inventory Overview: Gain instant insights into current stock levels and projected demand, enabling informed decision-making.
  • Payment Management: Conveniently track and manage outstanding payments and facilitate new vendor enrollments.
  • Defect & Returns Management: Streamline the process of handling defective products and customer returns.
  • Catalog Management:
    • Review new or existing catalogs containing detailed product information.
    • Collaboratively share catalogs with internal teams for feedback and review.
    • Leverage voting to select the most suitable products for upcoming sales based on demand metrics.

Comprehensive Search Functionality:

Recognizing the vast number of vendors and products, I prioritized a robust search functionality to cater to diverse user needs:

  • Multifaceted Search: Users can efficiently search for:
    • Catalogs: Find specific catalogs based on relevant criteria.
    • Vendors: Locate specific vendors by name or other relevant parameters.
    • Products: Search for specific products within the app’s inventory.
  • Enhanced Functionality:
    • Search within Notifications: Easily locate specific notifications amidst system-generated messages using a dedicated search bar.
    • Generic Search: Perform broad searches within the app for versatile information retrieval.

User Profiles: Tailored Experience for All Stakeholders

The app provides dedicated profile pages for both merchants and vendors:

Vendor Profile:

  • Self-service creation: Vendors can create and manage their profiles, showcasing their product offerings.
  • Performance tracking: Vendors can access and monitor their performance metrics.

Merchant Profile:

  • Vendor access control: Grant or revoke vendor access to various functionalities within the app.
  • Vendor performance review: View detailed information about vendor performance, including submitted catalogs and past collaborations.

Vendor Inventory Management: Streamlined Product Uploading

Designed specifically for vendors, this page facilitates efficient inventory management and product promotion:

  • Simplified Catalog Creation: Vendors can easily create and manage their catalogs on-the-go, selecting relevant categories and adding details like price, quantity, and size sets.
  • Seasonal Promotions: Leverage the ability to create special offers tailored to festivals or sale periods, making their products more attractive to potential buyers.
  • Catalog Feedback & Performance: Vendors can access reviews and feedback on their submitted catalogs, providing valuable insights into product reception and potential sales opportunities.