GlobalWorx

DSD industry's leading communcation Platform

Role: Product Design Lead

Collaborators: Raina Asid

Year: 2024-2025

Introduction

Overview

GlobalWorx is an advanced communication and execution platform designed to optimize on-shelf availability for Direct Store Delivery (DSD) products. As the evolution of Pipeline 2.0, it streamlines real-time issue reporting, automated ticketing, and vendor communication to ensure faster replenishment and minimize out-of-stock issues. With enhanced workflow automation and analytics, GlobalWorx improves supply chain efficiency, strengthens retailer-distributor collaboration, and helps maximize sales by keeping products readily available.

Tactiq

Tactiq, A leading provider of innovative solutions for the Direct Store Delivery (DSD) industry, Tactiq specializes in streamlining supply chains for retailers, manufacturers, and distributors. With over 20 years of experience, they offer cutting-edge technology to optimize efficiency, enhance productivity, and drive profitability in the retail sector.

Acquisition of GlobalWorx

In late Q2 2024, Tactiq acquired GlobalWorx, an indirect competitor in the DSD space. This acquisition brought a significant number of large-format grocery retailers, including Kroger, ADUSA, and Target, into Tactiq’s customer base. To unify its offerings, Tactiq made the strategic decision to sunset all legacy platforms including Pipeline and Legacy GlobalWorx and consolidate under the GlobalWorx brand. The goal was to develop a new, scalable, and configurable platform that would surpass the capabilities of both predecessor systems, providing a superior solution for all customers.
KADO Research

The Problem

Tactiq's Pipeline 2.0

Pipeline 2.0 was Tactiq's solution for small-format store operations, where it thrived in that market segment. However, it lacked presence in other areas of the DSD industry due to significant limitations. Large-format store operations differ fundamentally, and Pipeline was not designed to support their complexities. Additionally, being built on AWS (Amazon Web Services) posed a major barrier to adoption among large grocery retailers, who view Amazon as a competitor due to its ownership of Whole Foods and are unwilling to store their data on an Amazon-backed infrastructure. As a result, Pipeline was not equipped to handle integrations or onboard new customers following Tactiq’s acquisition of GlobalWorx.

Legacy GlobalWorx

The existing GlobalWorx platform was built on outdated technology, making it incapable of scaling to meet modern DSD demands. It also suffered from a poor user experience, with a lack of product development culture that resulted in disjointed, patchwork feature additions. Initial product surveys reflected significant customer dissatisfaction. Early in the integration process, it became clear that a complete rebuild from the ground up was necessary to effectively serve their customer base.

Research & Discovery

Methodologies

Our initial user research was driven by our dual experience building both products. Internal teams highlighted key flaws in Pipeline and GlobalWorx, prompting the product team to conduct audits of both platforms. These audits helped identify redundancies and gaps, ensuring we could effectively scope improvements for both customer bases.

The Product Manager and I continued user interviews and surveys to uncover pain points, desired features, and overall user satisfaction. This iterative feedback loop allowed us to curate a robust dataset that validated our assumptions and guided improvements for the next iteration of our products.

Goals

  • Natural Evolution of Product Solutions: Our approach focuses on refining and scaling the needs and desires of existing users while strategically introducing features that enhance the overall experience. By addressing pain points and delivering meaningful improvements, we aim to create a compelling value proposition that encourages customers to migrate to the new platform.
  • Optimizing and Enhancing Item Scanning: Scanning is a core feature of Pipeline, and the new platform presents an opportunity to refine and expand its capabilities. Our goal is to develop a plug-and-play universal module that drives revenue while reducing reliance on Zebra scanning units. By implementing camera-based scanning for mobile devices, we enhance accessibility and usability. Additionally, we are rethinking item grouping to incorporate out-of-stock images and custom notes for assigned distributors, further improving inventory management. This evolution allows us to build upon the original concept and deliver a more efficient, flexible solution.
  • Aligning Platform Communications: As the industry leader in DSD technology, Tactiq has the opportunity to standardize and streamline all DSD communications and processes. By replacing the fragmented and inconsistent communication methods used by individual retailers, we can introduce a unified system that creates familiarity and efficiency across retailers and their suppliers. This alignment enhances collaboration, reduces friction, and establishes a more cohesive industry standard.
  • Implementing Human-Centric Design: Prioritize user needs, behaviors, and experiences throughout the design process to ensure products, services, and systems are intuitive, accessible, and meaningful. Leverage user insights and continuous iteration to create solutions that genuinely resonate and drive engagement.

Implementation Challenges

Navigating the Strategic Product Evolution

Our challenge was identifying gaps in both products, leveraging their strengths, and crafting a brand-new user experience that is scalable, modular, and customizable to each retailer's unique needs. To succeed, we had to set aside egos, move beyond past product trajectories, and focus entirely on the future.

Conclusion

Success

...

GlobalWorx Screens

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