Secure and attractive – UID designs the Numeron interface

The background

Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) is a leading supplier of banknote and ID card printing as well as specialized in chip cards and security solutions. The product range also includes bank note processing systems. Since 2002, G&D has been producing the desktop system Numeron which supports banks, security transport companies, casinos, and retailers in processing banknotes.

The starting point

Numeron allows to securely and efficiently examine and sort banknotes at the point of sale. To maintain the competitiveness of the system, G&D redesigned the hardware and software of the mobile Personal Maschine Interface (PMI) and relied on User Interface Design GmbH (UID) for the concept and design of the innovative touch user interface.

The objectives

From the cash center of an Arab shopping mall to the Indian central bank: For the design of the Numeron user interface, the focus was on implementing an internationally understandable product and thus developing an intuitive and easy-to- learn operating concept for worldwide use. Hardware and software had to be matched up ideally. Another challenge was to establish a design that can be transferred to additional device categories. To ensure a higher level of usability, the PMI should support touch operation in future.

The procedure

First, the UID experts conducted a use context workshop on site. They analyzed relevant use scenarios by means of videos of users handling desktop systems. The result: Working on a limited space, under time pressure and bothered by noise are only some factors that influence the work of the mostly trained employees. At the same time, handling Numeron requires utmost precision as errors must not occur in the cashing up. To ensure secure processing of the money, the new system must absorb these external factors as well as represent information for a clear and quick understanding.
In participatory design workshops, the UID designers developed the design grid of the desktop system together with the product managers of G&D. On this basis, UID elaborated a detailed interaction concept. The design line was based on a mood chart workshop with all project partners. Subsequently, the UID designers prepared screens, icons, and operating illustrations based on the extensive specification.

The result

What is special about the Numeron user interface is the icon alphabet that UID has developed especially for G&D including more than 200 self-explanatory pictorgrams. They visualize both the complex procedures of banknote processing and the technical settings of Numeron. This allows the touch screen to do mostly without text and thus, it is understandable worldwide. Furthermore, more than 50 illustrated instructions support the users in their work and in maintaining the system.
As regards the coloring, the interface picks up the design language of the PMI unit. Based on the transparent perspex case, transparent areas in the screen design communicate reliability and security. In situations that require more attention, the view of the user is directed by purposefully placed accents and thus allow optimal user guidance.

Project reference from 2011