Case Study
An OCR extraction configuration editor
A Paymentus internal tool enabling the configuration of documents for OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capture. This tool allowed account managers to specify the location of key payment information enabling the system to correctly identify them.
The engineering team at Paymentus had built a proof of concept OCR configuration editor.
The tool allows users to setup documents for OCR capture. It was found difficult to use in its initial state. I led efforts to improve its usability and make document setup more intuitive.
I redesigned the editor, applying established standards for representing, exposing and positioning functionalities.
Functionality that affects the entire document (Save Changes, Zoom in, Replace Image) were placed in a toolbar at the top. Selections are represented and listed in a side panel which also displays helpful guidance.
I redesigned all visual states for the area selection, and made it easier to tell them apart by numbering them. The number also reflects in the sidebar where they are listed, allowing users to quickly identify which selections on the document (the canvas) corresponds to the ones in the side-panel.
I worked closely with engineering to understand the underlying technical implications and math that made the editor work.
I analyzed the initial interface and discovered many usability heuristic violations within. (unconventional controls, unpredictable feedback mechanisms, data loss etc…) I then recommended solutions to address the usability issues and worked with engineering to implement them iteratively.
