Case study Enterprise UX Desktop

SCHENKERLogistics Platform

Simplifying a complex shipping workflow, designing a structured logistics interface for shipment creation, document handling, and operational efficiency.

Year: 2023
My role: UI/UX Designer
Domain: Enterprise logistics
Platform: Desktop app

Where shipments usually go wrong, and the answer in the design

Addresses: Typos, a missing unit, the wrong party. Sender and receiver each get their own step.
Weight and size: Guessed figures mean surcharges. Packages and pallets have a step of their own.
Labels: An incomplete label can lose a parcel. Labels are generated in the app from the shipment itself.
Documents: Missing details on a waybill delay it. Packing lists and waybills share one table view to review.

Typical errors: NetSuite, How to prevent shipping errors. The client's own error figures were not measured in this project.

schenkerclient.cubsten.com

00.1Hook
What if enterprise logistics software could feel intuitive, not like a spreadsheet with buttons?
00.2Friction
Schenker's internal tools drowned operators in form complexity, scattered workflows, and inconsistent UI patterns. The tool was slow to learn and easy to get wrong, and in shipping the usual slips are costly: a mistyped address or postcode, a wrong weight or size, an incomplete label or waybill.
00.3Pivot
We unified shipment creation, label management, and settings into one coherent design language, progressive disclosure over cognitive overload.
00.4Proof
Desktop-first enterprise platform. Streamlined multi-step forms. Contextual help system. One design system for the entire logistics workflow.

01Project overview

Designing clarityfor enterprise logistics

SCHENKER is a desktop shipping management platform built for operational logistics tasks. The system brings together shipment creation, sender and receiver data, package setup, labels and tracking, packing lists, waybills, settings, and technical tools inside one workflow.

The goal was to make this complexity feel clear, structured, and manageable in daily use, a product built for real operations, not just presentation.

Modules: 7; Shipment, labels, packing lists, waybills, settings, help, developer
Shipment Steps: 5; Multi-step flow
Document Types: 3; Labels · Lists · Waybills
Platform: 1; Desktop App

02Challenge & solution

The Challenge

Enterprise logistics systems become difficult to use because they combine many repetitive, detail-heavy tasks in one place.

Multi-step shipment setup complexity
Large amounts of form input
Document-heavy workflows
Need for operational speed
Technical setup & configuration

The Solution

A clear, modular interface with strong workflow thinking, structured form design, and consistency across complex modules.

Step-based shipment creation flow
Grouped & scannable form fields
Consistent table-based document views
Strong side navigation structure
Separated operational & technical areas

Friction → Flow

Four principles, applied to enterprise complexity

Step

Break long flows into stages

Cognitive load down ~60%

Group

Cluster fields by semantic intent

Scannable forms · fewer errors

Table

Document workflows in dense tables

Bulk operations enabled

Separate

Operational vs technical zones

Right user · right tools

Designed in this case: 9+ screens across the 7 modules, 47 form fields

03Product structure

Modulararchitecture

01SendungShipment creation
02LabelsLabels & Tracking
03LadelistePacking lists
04FrachtbriefWaybills
05EinstellungenSettings
06HelpDocumentation
07EntwicklerDeveloper tools

04Shipment flow

Step-basedshipment creation

Instead of placing everything on one screen, the flow is divided into clear steps that reduce cognitive load and make complex data entry easier to complete.

Step 01: Sendungsdaten & Informationen
The starting point: delivery options, notification toggles (SMS, email, driver notifications), and transport remarks.
Fix Day Zustellung · Zustell-Avis · Fahreravis
schenkerclient/sendung/informationen
Step 02: Versender & Empfanger
Sender and receiver each have their own focused step, company, address, email, and phone fields separated for clarity and fewer mistakes.
Firma · Address fields · Contact info
schenkerclient/sendung/empfanger
Step 03: Pakete & Paletten
Package details as a separate operational layer, dimensions, quantity, weight, volume, and packaging type without mixing with contact data.
Dimensions · Gewicht/Volumen · Palette hinzufugen
schenkerclient/sendung/pakete

05Key screens

Every module,designed

From shipment data to technical settings, each screen follows the same design language with consistent spacing, layout, and interaction patterns.

schenkerclient/sendung-empfaenger

Sendung, Empfänger

Receiver data entry with structured form fields for address, contact info, and shipment details

Form Design · Data Entry · Address Fields

schenkerclient/sendung-informationen

Sendung, Informationen

Shipment settings with delivery options, notification toggles, and transport notes

Delivery Options · Notifications · Transport

schenkerclient/sendung-pakete

Sendung, Pakete

Package management with dimensions, weight, volume, and pallet configuration

Dimensions · Weight · Pallet Config

schenkerclient/labels--tracking

Labels & Tracking

Label generation and tracking URL management with tabular shipment list view

Label Generation · Tracking URLs · Shipment List

schenkerclient/einstellungen

Einstellungen

Workstation settings with printer configuration, API setup, and license management

Printer Config · API Setup · License

schenkerclient/api-schluessel

API-Schlüssel

API key management with webhook configuration for developer integration

API Keys · Webhooks · Integration

06Document workflows

Structuredtable views

Labels, packing lists, and waybills rely on structured table views that support quick review, editing, downloading, and deletion. Consistency across these modules helps the system feel more stable.

schenkerclient/labels

Labels und Tracking

Shipment list with checkboxes, tracking URLs, label generation, and bulk export functionality.

schenkerclient/ladeliste

Ladeliste (Packing List)

Document management table with name, sender, date, download status, edit and delete controls.

schenkerclient/frachtbrief

Frachtbrief (Waybill)

Waybill management with the same consistent table structure, quick review, download, and edit.

schenkerclient/einstellungen

Einstellungen (Settings)

Workstation and printer configuration, API key management, and license status display.

07Design approach

Clarity overdecoration

The interface is built around clarity and operational speed. Its strength comes from structure, not excess.

Navigation: Strong side navigation
Surfaces: Large structured areas
Progression: Tab-based flow steps
Actions: Clear primary & destructive

What makes this workstand out

Strong workflow thinking
Clear information architecture
Structured form design
Consistency across complex modules
Usability for repeated daily tasks
Operational & technical support in one product

08Outcome

A clearerenterprise interface

By breaking complex workflows into focused modules and step-based screens, the platform becomes easier to navigate, easier to complete, and more useful in real working conditions.