Slotxpert
Migrating a decade-old desktop app into one unified web platform for container buyers and sellers.
The Port of Singapore Authority
SlotXpert aimed to replace its decade-old desktop application with a unified web-based platform for buyers and sellers.
The biggest challenge was making the transition easy for users who were deeply accustomed to Excel-like workflows.
01 / 05
The Challenge
Understanding the challenge
One web platform for buyers and sellers, without losing anyone on the way.
- From
A decade-old desktop app.
- To
One unified web platform.
- The catch
Users were deeply used to Excel-like workflows.
02 / 05
UX Outcomes
One platform for buyers and sellers, and what followed.
35%
drop in errors in 6 months
Fewer Mistakes, Faster Work
Clearer tables, filters and actions made data easier to read and act on.
85%
adoption in 6 months
One Platform, Everyone Onboard
One dashboard for buyers and sellers. No more juggling platforms.
88%
retention in 3 months
Retention with Familiar Workflows
The Excel-like structure stayed, so the new platform felt familiar from day one.
03 / 05
Research
Surveys
Separate surveys for buyers and sellers set the baseline to measure UX gains.
Buyer survey: booking a container
1 in 4
rated it only “normal”
What came up
- Slow search
- Unclear filters
- No feedback
Functional, not optimised. Bookings needed more clarity and speed.
Seller survey: listing a container
~30%
not fully confident
What came up
- Managing listings
- Real-time inventory status
Simpler listing actions, less clutter, clearer inventory and offer states.
Interviews
How
- My interview script, run by PSA’s product team with a wider group of users
- Two contextual interviews of my own: one buyer, one seller
What I asked
- How do you use the desktop app day to day?
- Which features do you rely on most?
- What frustrates you today?
- How do you feel about moving to the web?
- What would make the move easier?
Challenges identified
- 01
User Migration
Moving users from the long-used desktop app to the web platform without creating friction or user loss.
- 02
Unified UX
Buyers and sellers were on separate platforms; the new system needed to merge them seamlessly.
- 03
Maintain User Base
Any frustration during the transition could cause attrition, so it was vital to keep the learning curve low.
04 / 05
Design Process
Site maps
Seller wireframes
Buyer wireframes
05 / 05
Final Design
Sneak peek of final UI
