Nokia Remote Tool
— A Case Study of Nokia Corporation
Thesis
The target of the thesis is to address the common pain points in remote work by utilizing the Network as Code concept. The thesis was conducted in collaboration with Nokia Corporation, following the Design Sprint method, which included a five-day Sprint week.
The concept developed is called Nokia Remote Tool, designed specifically for remote workers. The application enhances the user’s internet connection and provides the option to boost the connection during critical tasks. The connection is optimized and analyzed in real time, ensuring the best possible performance throughout the remote work.
The main features of the application include a boost feature, as well as optimization and analysis of the user’s internet connection. These features leverage Network as Code and 5G technologies such as network slicing, Quality of Service and Quality of Service on Demand. The application addresses common pain points in remote work including unreliable internet connections, dropped video calls and slow internet speeds.
Various development methods were used during the design process. Ideation was conducted through brainstorming sessions within the team. Benchmarking helped clarify the key features of the application. A survey was conducted to gather research data, providing a comprehensive understanding of user’s needs. The creation of a persona offered concrete representations of potential user challenges. A prototype was developed to illustrate the application interface and its main functionalities.
This was a team project involving four students. While all team members participated in every phase of the project, larger tasks were divided into individual responsibilities. My main tasks included benchmarking and designing the prototype using Figma. Additionally, I was responsible for presenting our final work to the client during the pitching session, alongside one other teammate.
Client
Nokia
Year
2024
Design Sprint Schedule
MONDAYIdeation & BrainstormingSparring with the clientDefining the scope of the idea and forming a vision for the solution
TUESDAYBenchmarkingCreating and sending the survey to the test groupRefining the concept’s functionality
WEDNESDAYAnalyzing survey dataDesigning the prototypeSparring with the client
THURSDAYFinalizing the prototypeRehearsal for the pitch
FRIDAYPitching the work to the client
Ideation
During the sprint week, the team collaborated on a Miro board to generate ideas, discuss potential solutions, and document them. The ideas were then organized into categories for better clarity. This collaborative brainstorming process helped refine the concept and ultimately led to the development of a final solution.
Benchmarking
The focus of benchmarking was the internet connection boost feature, which is not widely available in the market. The comparison was made between boost services offered by Elisa and Telia. The comparison covered boost time options, costs, boost speed, speed assurance, and the ordering and notification processes.
The benchmarking clarified the key advantages of the Nokia Remote Tool, including its flexible boost time, cost-efficiency for employers, automated network optimization, and overall functionality.
Survey
The survey aimed to gather detailed information to guide the development of the Nokia Remote Tool. Insights from respondents helped the team make modifications to the application and identifying areas for further improvement. The results indicate a potential market for this concept, as a majority of remote workers faced network connectivity issues that likely impact their work negatively. Based on these findings, the team gathered sufficient information to move forward with the development of the Nokia Remote Tool.
Prototype
Once the concept was clarified, the team built a prototype to demonstrate the basic functionality of the idea. Since the survey revealed that unreliable internet connections during video calls were a common challenge among remote workers, the prototype showcases the application’s boost feature specifically in the video call context.
The main considerations when designing the prototype were ease of use, clear functionality, and overall user experience. The boost feature during video calls needed to be simple yet informative, ensuring it didn’t unnecessarily interrupt the user. Testing was conducted after the first prototype version, and based on the feedback received, the design was further developed to better meet the users' needs.
The prototype was created using Figma, and this task was primarily my responsibility.
The first part of the prototype features the boost functionality during video call meeting. A pop-up window appears when the internet connection is too weak for the task, giving the user the option to boost the connection immediately or access the boost settings. Once the boost is activated, a smaller icon representing the boost time remains visible in the bottom-right corner. This reduced icon ensures that boosting information doesn't disrupt the user experience, while still providing easy access to boost time details if needed.
The second part of the prototype demonstrates the Nokia Remote Tool application interface. The application includes settings for boost, optimization, and analytics. The boost settings feature options for activating the boost, viewing boost usage information, and requesting additional boost time.
Key Takeaways
Recognized the importance of ideation in generating innovative solutions.
Understood the value of staying on schedule and getting things done within deadlines.
Learned how to work efficiently within a limited timeframe to maximize productivity.
Emphasized the importance of user research and testing to ensure the design meets user needs.
Gained improved confidence in presenting ideas and solutions.