Enterprise workflow transformation
Originating the design vision for SolarWinds Observability SaaS
CLIENT
SolarWinds
TEAM
Design Lead, UX Strategist, Visual Designer
PRODUCT
SolarWinds Observability SaaS
THE CHALLENGE
Building a unified observability experience from the ground up
SolarWinds needed to create a new SaaS-delivered observability platform that would unify visibility across cloud-native, on-premises, and hybrid technology stacks. The challenge was to design an intuitive experience that could handle the complexity of full-stack observability while remaining accessible to DevOps, IT Ops, and Cloud Ops teams.
- 1Complex multi-domain data requiring unified visualization
- 2Diverse user personas with varying technical expertise
- 3Need to reduce tool sprawl with single-pane-of-glass visibility
- 4Accelerating cloud modernization while supporting legacy infrastructure
OUR APPROACH
From vision to scalable product
Discovery & Strategy
We conducted extensive research across SolarWinds' customer base to understand the diverse needs of IT professionals managing hybrid environments. This informed our design strategy for creating a unified experience.
Design System Foundation
We established the visual language and component library that would become the foundation for the entire Observability platform, ensuring consistency across all functional areas from APM to network monitoring.
Core Workflow Design
We originated the onboarding experience and core feature workflows, creating patterns for data visualization, alert management, and cross-domain correlation that could scale across the platform.
Team Enablement
Beyond design deliverables, we mentored and enabled the larger SolarWinds design team, establishing design practices and review processes that ensured quality across all functional areas.
Application Performance Monitoring Dashboard
Network Topology and Infrastructure Canvas
PRODUCT CAPABILITIES
Full-stack observability
Application Performance Monitoring
Unified code-level troubleshooting with transaction tracing, code-profiling, and exception tracking combined with end user experience insights.
Database Observability
Deep database performance monitoring for MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Azure SQL, Amazon Aurora, and Redis.
Network & Infrastructure
Hybrid, full stack monitoring including network devices, SDWAN, servers, VMs, and cloud infrastructure.
Hundreds of Integrations
Native support for AWS, Azure, Cisco, Slack, and language-specific monitoring across the technology stack.
OUTCOMES
Impact delivered
Single pane of glass
Unified visibility across cloud-native, on-prem, and hybrid environments
Reduced alert fatigue
AIOps-powered prioritization surfaces real problems automatically
Accelerated onboarding
Streamlined workflows get teams to value faster
Actionable insights
Complex system data is distilled into focused insights designed for quick comprehension and action
Scalable design system
Foundation enabling consistent UX across 10+ product areas
TEAM ENABLEMENT
Building design capability that scales
Beyond the design deliverables, a core part of our engagement was mentoring and enabling the larger SolarWinds design team. We established design practices, review processes, and collaboration patterns that ensured consistent quality across all functional areas of the Observability platform.
10+
Functional areas supported
Design Reviews
Weekly cross-team sessions
Pattern Library
Documented and maintained
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