Datana System
Case Study · Flexible Data Analytics Platform
Datana System is a flexible data analytics platform developed in-house at Sertis Co., Ltd. It combines data visualization with in-house biometric and motion detection technologies to deliver adaptable solutions for industries ranging from retail and agriculture to sports. As the main UX/UI designer, I worked with a cross-functional squad to create a modular, scalable system that balanced customization with usability.
Client
Sertis
Year
2019
Role
Main UX/UI Designer
Platform
SaaS · Data Analytics · Biometrics
My Role
Main UX/UI Designer
Collaborated with
1 PO · 2 Frontend Developers · 2 Backend Developers · 1 QA
As the main UX/UI designer for Datana System, I was responsible for shaping the end-to-end user experience of the platform. I defined the design framework for the modular dashboard, created wireframes and prototypes, and designed the UI components for data visualizations, configuration tools, and admin controls. I worked closely with frontend and backend developers, the QA team, and the product owner to ensure that the design was practical, scalable, and aligned with technical and business requirements. My focus was on creating an experience that made complex data accessible and actionable, while supporting customization for a wide range of client needs.
The Challenge
Problem
Clients across industries — from retail to agriculture and sports — needed a flexible analytics solution that could adapt to their unique data and operational needs. Existing tools often required extensive customization or failed to integrate with specialized technologies, such as biometric authentication or motion detection systems. The challenge was to create a platform that could bring these capabilities together in a modular, easy-to-configure framework that worked across domains.
Design Goal
The goal was to design a scalable, modular system that allowed clients to configure dashboards, visualizations, and data inputs to suit their specific use cases — without needing deep technical expertise. The platform also needed to integrate seamlessly with Sertis’s in-house technologies (e.g., biometric systems, IoT sensors) while maintaining clarity and usability.
Constraints
The system had to balance flexibility with simplicity: it needed to offer rich configuration options without overwhelming users. We also had to ensure interoperability with existing client systems (e.g., CRM, ERP, IoT devices) while working within the technical limits of in-house tools and APIs.
The Design
Modular Architecture and Configuration
Datana’s interface is built on a robust design system and a modular architecture that empowers clients to tailor their analytics environment without heavy technical intervention. At the foundation is a library of reusable components—buttons, cards, filters, and chart types—each governed by a shared set of design tokens for colors, spacing, typography, and iconography.
Above these building blocks sits a suite of interchangeable “dashboard widgets,” including line and bar charts, heatmaps, map overlays, and data tables. Clients can drag-and-drop these widgets onto their workspace, configure data sources on a per-widget basis, and resize or reorder them to prioritize the metrics they care about most. Each widget adheres to the same visual and interaction standards—ensuring consistency even as layouts vary wildly between use cases.
Behind the scenes, the design system enforces accessibility, responsive behavior, and theming capabilities. Whether a retail client needs a heatmap for in-store traffic or an agricultural user wants a biosecurity alert panel, the same asset library scales to support new modules. This modular approach not only accelerates development but also keeps the interface coherent and maintainable as the platform grows.
Data Visualization and Interaction
The platform supported over 20 types of data visualizations, including line charts, bar graphs, heatmaps, and custom map overlays. I focused on ensuring consistency across these elements, with clear labeling, accessible color palettes, and scalable layouts that adapted to complex data without overwhelming users. Interactions were kept simple: hover states for quick insights, click-throughs for drill-downs, and filter panels that allowed users to adjust views on the fly.
The Result
Adaptability Across Use Cases
Datana System delivered a scalable, modular platform that successfully met the varied data analytics needs of clients across industries. The flexible dashboard design allowed users to configure views without technical support, and the integration of biometric, IoT, and motion detection data gave clients richer insights. The design addressed varied industry needs:
Retail (Vision Lab): Dashboards visualized in-store behavior using heatmaps, demographic segmentation, and dwell-time analytics.
Agriculture (Farm Lab): Interfaces provided access control monitoring, biosecurity alerts, and perimeter surveillance.
Sports (Sport Lab): Movement detection, static record analysis, and performance heatmaps supported athlete coaching and review.
The Reflection
What I Learned
Datana was my first experience designing a SaaS platform and data visualization tool at this scale. It taught me the importance of creating systems that can flex across industries without sacrificing usability. I saw how a modular architecture, paired with a consistent and accessible UI, can empower users to adapt tools to their needs — whether in retail, agriculture, or sports. The project reinforced how essential it is to balance clarity and depth when visualizing complex data.
What I Would Improve
If I were to revisit the project, I would advocate for more frequent usability testing with actual client end-users during early design phases. This would have helped fine-tune the dashboard configuration tools and validate assumptions about how users interact with large, multi-layered datasets.
What Comes Next
Datana helped sharpen my approach to enterprise design — showing me how to create systems that are not only functional but adaptable and future-ready. The lessons from this project continue to inform my work in complex platforms where flexibility and clarity are critical to success.