Intelligent Lot Management
Project Overview
Ikon Technologies is a leader in automotive inventory management, asset protection, and vehicle theft recovery. Our Toolbox application suite integrates hardware and software solutions, empowering automotive dealerships to efficiently map, track, and safeguard their vehicle inventory and keys. Dealers can also offer this service to their customers, creating a new revenue stream and enhancing their value proposition.
My Role
I started this project as the sole designer at the company. I established the product and design strategy and built out the foundational design structure and design system. After hiring a junior designer for this product I transitioned to a design leadership role where I continued to contribute hands on design work while directing and mentoring the other designer.
The Process
Discovery
We identified opportunities by understanding the inner workings of dealerships and those that work there.
We identified opportunities by understanding the inner workings of dealerships and those that work there.
We identified opportunities by understanding the inner workings of dealerships and those that work there.
Planning
We worked out what a core experience could look like and how each component was connected through several exercises.
We worked out what a core experience could look like and how each component was connected through several exercises.
We worked out what a core experience could look like and how each component was connected through several exercises.
Design
With a solid understanding and plan in place, we set out to design the product.
With a solid understanding and plan in place, we set out to design the product.
With a solid understanding and plan in place, we set out to design the product.
Testing
We connected with internal and external parties to get hands on feedback at every milestone we hit.
We connected with internal and external parties to get hands on feedback at every milestone we hit.
We connected with internal and external parties to get hands on feedback at every milestone we hit.
Discovery
Research
The team and I used various methods of research to gather initial research on the project. These included stakeholder interviews, whiteboarding, user interviews, competitive analysis and more. 
The team and I used various methods of research to gather initial research on the project. These included stakeholder interviews, whiteboarding, user interviews, competitive analysis and more. 
The team and I used various methods of research to gather initial research on the project. These included stakeholder interviews, whiteboarding, user interviews, competitive analysis and more. 
Mapping
We generated several journey maps from our research to help us understsand the dealership landscape better. Below are a couple of those journeys.
We generated several journey maps from our research to help us understsand the dealership landscape better. Below are a couple of those journeys.
We generated several journey maps from our research to help us understsand the dealership landscape better. Below are a couple of those journeys.
New Vehicle Intake Journey
Prior to a vehicle being displayed and available for sale, there is a whole sequence of events that need to occur.
Sales Journey
The process most of us are at least some what familiar with.
Personas
A dealership has many roles but we narrowed our primary focus to a handful of personas that would have the most usage and benefit from our system.
A dealership has many roles but we narrowed our primary focus to a handful of personas that would have the most usage and benefit from our system.
A dealership has many roles but we narrowed our primary focus to a handful of personas that would have the most usage and benefit from our system.
The Problem
Through industry insights and conversations with customers and stakeholders we identified key problem areas to focus on.
Through industry insights and conversations with customers and stakeholders we identified key problem areas to focus on.
Through industry insights and conversations with customers and stakeholders we identified key problem areas to focus on.
1. Inefficient Sales Process
Dealer customers were frustrated about the amount of time it took to purchase a vehicle. A good chunk of time was wasted while the salesperson was busy searching for the key and even the vehicle!
2. Vehicle Theft and Fraud
Dealers regularly have vehicles stolen off of their lot or purchased under fraudulent conditions. Finding and recovering the vehicle as quick as possible is key to keeping business moving.
3. Too Many Tools
Dealers and their employees are inundated with different vendors, tools, and services. It's our goal not to become more noise to those benefitting from our products.
Workflows
High Level Information Architecture
High Level Information Architecture
High Level Information Architecture
The primary feature set was mapped out at a high level for both the mobile and web app versions, showing how the overall structure of the app connected and the differences between the two versions.
Web App Architecture
Web App Architecture
Web App Architecture
For an MVP release, we focused on building features for each platform based on the most common users and use cases. For the web platform, our users were primarily manager types who were behind desks for most of the day and not out walking the lot. Their primary features were administrative and tracking.
For an MVP release, we focused on building features for each platform based on the most common users and use cases. For the web platform, our users were primarily manager types who were behind desks for most of the day and not out walking the lot. Their primary features were administrative and tracking.
For an MVP release, we focused on building features for each platform based on the most common users and use cases. For the web platform, our users were primarily manager types who were behind desks for most of the day and not out walking the lot. Their primary features were administrative and tracking.
Mobile App Architecture
The mobile experience catered primarily to those employees that work the lot and interact with customers. These users are typically salespeople, lot attendants, technicians, and similar roles. The features we focused on delivering first were finding and pairing vehicles and keys.
The mobile experience catered primarily to those employees that work the lot and interact with customers. These users are typically salespeople, lot attendants, technicians, and similar roles. The features we focused on delivering first were finding and pairing vehicles and keys.
The mobile experience catered primarily to those employees that work the lot and interact with customers. These users are typically salespeople, lot attendants, technicians, and similar roles. The features we focused on delivering first were finding and pairing vehicles and keys.
Detailed User Flows
Detailed User Flows
Detailed User Flows
Each feature was then described in user flow format, providing as much detail as we could at the time to show what actions and data were needed on each page.
Ideation and Sketches
Ideation and Sketches
Ideation and Sketches
Selected Features
With a solid understanding of the needs of the platform and each feature we set out to design the product experience. Below are a few of the core features from Toolbox.
Device Pairing
Device Pairing
Device Pairing
To power our system, we needed location and other data from the vehicle and keys. Hardware was necessary to gather the data and we needed a way to pair and associate the devices to vehicles.
To power our system, we needed location and other data from the vehicle and keys. Hardware was necessary to gather the data and we needed a way to pair and associate the devices to vehicles.
To power our system, we needed location and other data from the vehicle and keys. Hardware was necessary to gather the data and we needed a way to pair and associate the devices to vehicles.
Inventory Management
Inventory Management
Inventory Management
The inventory views are the main way of interacting with the platform and managing a dealer's inventory. From here users are able to quickly find and interact with a vehicle in multiple ways, depending on their needs.
The inventory views are the main way of interacting with the platform and managing a dealer's inventory. From here users are able to quickly find and interact with a vehicle in multiple ways, depending on their needs.
The inventory views are the main way of interacting with the platform and managing a dealer's inventory. From here users are able to quickly find and interact with a vehicle in multiple ways, depending on their needs.
Dashboards
Dashboard
Dashboard
Dealers wanted to undestand and track their investment in our program and our dashboard allow them to do just that. The dashboard was split into three digestable sections, Inventory, Sales, and Customer. From here, dealers can see the effectiveness of their staff implementing the program and the revenue they're gaining by joining.
Dealers wanted to undestand and track their investment in our program and our dashboard allow them to do just that. From here, dealers can see the effectiveness of their staff implementing the program and the revenue they're gaining by joining.
Dealers wanted to undestand and track their investment in our program and our dashboard allow them to do just that. From here, dealers can see the effectiveness of their staff implementing the program and the revenue they're gaining by joining.
Account Selector
Account Selector
Account Selector
Some users, including all of our internal field and account support staff, have access to multiple or all dealership accounts. In the past and with competitive platforms, users would have to log in and out to access different accounts. We implemented robust permissions and a quick account switcher that allowed users to seamlessly jump between accounts, a big win for our users!
Some users, including all of our internal field and account support staff, have access to multiple or all dealership accounts. In the past and with competitive platforms, users would have to log in and out to access different accounts. We implemented robust permissions and a quick account switcher that allowed users to seamlessly jump between accounts, a big win for our users!
Some users, including all of our internal field and account support staff, have access to multiple or all dealership accounts. In the past and with competitive platforms, users would have to log in and out to access different accounts. We implemented robust permissions and a quick account switcher that allowed users to seamlessly jump between accounts, a big win for our users!
Reflection
Results
Results
Results
The rollout of Toolbox will begin in Q1 2025. As part of pre-release sales efforts, Toolbox helped successfully secure over 100 new dealership customers, roughly a 25% increase in customer base.
Toolbox marks the transformation to a modern era of inventory management for dealerships. Of the testing and feedback we have received, nearly all of it has been positive and full of excitement. Constructive pieces of feedback we've received have been taken in to be reviewed for improvements in later releases. Overall, everyone is eager for Toolbox to be introduced to the world!
Toolbox is still in pre-release, but early tests and feedback have been promising. Our internal users, who will use the platform as much as customers, have provided valuable insights to improve the product. Customer feedback has also been positive, and they’re eager to try the new platform soon!
Toolbox is still in pre-release, but early tests and feedback have been promising. Our internal users, who will use the platform as much as customers, have provided valuable insights to improve the product. Customer feedback has also been positive, and they’re eager to try the new platform soon!
Toolbox was showcased at the 2025 NADA automotive tradeshow in New Orleans, securing dozens of new dealer sign ups.
Toolbox premiered at the 2025 NADA automotive tradeshow, securing dozens of new dealer sign ups.
Toolbox premiered at the 2025 NADA automotive tradeshow, securing dozens of new dealer sign ups.
Learnings
Learnings
Learnings
The auto industry is fast-paced, where every minute counts and money drives decisions. This makes research challenging, as dealers often don't see the value in offering their time unless there's an immediate financial return, even if it improves efficiency or satisfaction. This only highlighted further the distrust and negativity consumers feel toward the industry, which we aimed to address with our other product, Connect.
The auto industry is fast-paced, where every minute counts and money drives decisions. This makes research challenging, as dealers often don't see the value in offering their time unless there's an immediate financial return, even if it improves efficiency or satisfaction. This only highlighted further the distrust and negativity consumers feel toward the industry, which we aimed to address with our other product, Connect.
The auto industry is fast-paced, where every minute counts and money drives decisions. This makes research challenging, as dealers often don't see the value in offering their time unless there's an immediate financial return, even if it improves efficiency or satisfaction. This only highlighted further the distrust and negativity consumers feel toward the industry, which we aimed to address with our other product, Connect.
Where to From Here
Where to From Here
Where to From Here
The MVP of Toolbox laid the foundation for an intelligent platform to help dealers manage a key part of their business. It set the stage for advanced features like test drive and pre-inspection analytics, competitive dashboards, and eliminating the need for physical devices. To meet our tight timeline, we focused on platform-specific features, knowing that we would eventually migrate certain functionalities across the desktop and mobile experiences to ensure a smooth, consistent experience across all tasks and information.
The MVP of Toolbox laid the foundation for an intelligent platform to help dealers manage a key part of their business. It set the stage for advanced features like test drive and pre-inspection analytics, competitive dashboards, and eliminating the need for physical devices. To meet our tight timeline, we focused on platform-specific features, knowing that we would eventually migrate certain functionalities across the desktop and mobile experiences to ensure a smooth, consistent experience across all tasks and information.
The MVP of Toolbox laid the foundation for an intelligent platform to help dealers manage a key part of their business. It set the stage for advanced features like test drive and pre-inspection analytics, competitive dashboards, and eliminating the need for physical devices. To meet our tight timeline, we focused on platform-specific features, knowing that we would eventually migrate certain functionalities across the desktop and mobile experiences to ensure a smooth, consistent experience across all tasks and information.
Jordan Detota
Product Leadership and Design
817.247.1186
Pages
Projects
Approach
More
About Me
Experience
Connect
Toolbox
Reading Rangers
LETRS
Photography
Office Design
COPYRIGHT 2025 JORDAN DETOTA