CommPass Paging System
Creating a New Paradigm in Hospitality Paging Systems
JTech originally requested that BH redesign a new Pager (CommPass) that was both distinctively different from the "Coaster" form factor that they invented (and that had been unashamedly copied by new competitors), and evoked quality without encouraging theft.
BH began the project by conducting contextual inquiry with several restaurant chains to form an impression of what a new pager should be. Along with great insights about ruggedness, visibility, wireless range and reliability, was a desperate need to improve the charging process. All devices to date relied on a "daisy-chain" connection whereby charge current passed through the lower pager into the next. Worse than connection getting lost and pagers toppling over, was a "last-in, first-out" requirements of daisy-chain charging, resulting in some pagers being over-used and insufficiently charged while others were never used at all.
BH impressed on the client to broaden the project scope to redesign the entire system so that the Charger would independently charge each pager and inform the operator to deploy only fully charged units. The resulting Pager design optimized the form to be pocket-friendly, fit securely in the hand because of its "coke-bottle" profile, and be able to be placed standing up for optimal visibility on a cluttered bar. The design also allowed a secure means to (re)place advertising labels under a clear cover. BH's Charging Base design offers several new innovations, including a proprietary "live-rail" continuous charging connectology and adaptable construction, which allowed JTech to adapt the system for different unit capacities and form factors by changing only one plastic panel. Today's predominant paging system is protected by IP and has been highly successful for JTech, with CommPass meeting the project goal of offering best-in-class usability and design.
Duration- 9 months
