The Border Force goes digital
The World Customs Organization (WCO) is the international authority on customs and border security. The body oversees 98% of world trade and its role is to secure the international trade supply chain.
It created the IPM system, a real-time communication hub that connects border force officers on the ground and private members. After 4 years its usage remained limited to a handful of border agencies.
Research revealed that user interface issues were a major blocker to adoption. The WCO approached us to rethink the system. We adopted a user-centred approach to improve the usability. Following the release of the new system, usage grew to cover border agencies in 100+ countries and improved the results of ground operations manifold.
OUR CONTRIBUTIONS
UX Design
Responsive Web Development
Software Application Architecture
User Research
OEM Software Development
Information Architecture
Quality Assurance
UI Design
User Testing
It is an excellent tool for Customs to combat IPR infringements.
ULTRAFAST ERGONOMICS
Customs officers use the web platform all over the world, from the port of Frankfurt to the outback in Kazakhstan. To enable people with completely different backgrounds to use the system, we shaped the user experience with straightforward interaction patterns and we tested them with users before integrating them into the UI concept.
A LOGICAL INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
We completely restructured the information architecture according to principles from cognitive science. A logical overview and a coherent experience reduce the need for training and support, making it easier to scale the number of users. We hid little features in the app that educate the users about hacks for specific tasks. Thus, we have observed that as they use the app, their productivity goes up.
The new version helped customs officers to improve their efficiency in policing shipments and controlling goods.
CONTEXT AWARE COMPUTING
The app supports officers with as much useful information as possible. It can gather information from the context, from the database and from the command center, to interpret it and thus guide officers during interventions with reliable and comprehensive intelligence. The app becomes smarter every day as it is fed with new data and it builds a historical database.
OUTCOMES
107 governments signed up to the system
200% increase in right holder user sign-ups
Platform use increased by 20% among officers and 67% among right holders
The system was used in field operations involving 2000+ officers
Training costs for officers were reduced by 78%
Significant decrease in support tickets and associated costs
See Also
WCO’s global actions to tackle counterfeiting
SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS
Policing opportunities and threats in Europe
Knowledge sharing practices and issues in policing contexts
See Also
WCO’s global actions to tackle counterfeiting
SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS
Policing opportunities and threats in Europe
Knowledge sharing practices and issues in policing contexts