When we first started working on the renewed interface in October 2014, we hardly knew what to expect. The replacing dashboard (in desperate need of replacement) had to be up and running in a year and a half.

It is now nearly one and a half years later and we are grasping the magnitude of this project. We are already well on the way, with a functioning preview version and active users. Yet, there is still a long way to go. Time for a retrospective and a glance into the future!

The previous dashboard

The Flash dashboard gets its name from the technical format (Adobe Flash). In 2008 the development of the new dashboard started and technical elements develop swiftly. Everything used to revolve around Flash: video in browsers, interactive videos and basically every computer. Smartphones were scarce and tablets out of the picture.

Nowadays, everyone has either a tablet or a smartphone, or both. Flash is not suitable for these devices, so Adobe has announced that as of 2020 it will no longer support Flash. So, our platform will no longer support Flash, meaning we will have to find an alternative.

Designed for users

Our first steps towards a new interface for the Online Video Platform started with research. We looked at who is using our system, how often they use it and how well they get on with it. In other words, we looked at who we are designing the new OVP for. Our experience and client base told us we have users with many different positions and roles. The interface needed to please both die-hard OVP users and not-so-heavy users.

It’s all about the context

The redesign of the interface, which we call OVP6, started with the distinction between different tasks for the user. The OVP has so many functionalities, it needed a clear navigational structure. Instead of basing it around objects, we created it around the user. We asked ourselves the question what the user would want. So it is all about putting the platform into context:

  • Media library: managing media content, by uploading, deleting, publishing and adding metadata.
  • Ad Services: managing video ad units.
  • Analytics: analysing all content within the OVP, such as statistics and live audience-tracking.
  • Creative Studio: creating content using the Timeline editor.

URL Online Video Platform

In most cases the user has a mission within the OVP. The user only wants to fulfill that particular task and nothing else.

For example, a user wants to know what the user statistics are for last week. So, they navigate to the tab ‘Analytics’. Here, users can find all the tools and data they need. It helps when this interface is clear and clean. So no other functionalities: less is more.

You’re not a wizard, Billy

There is a clear distinction between ‘pro’ interfaces and ‘consumer’ interfaces. Take Apple Cut Final Cut Pro and compare this to Apple iMovie. Both come from the same company, but the first one is clearly meant for professionals or prosumers. While the latter focuses on the consumer who merely wants to edit a quick movie.

In the land of OVPs, you can also distinguish pro and consumer platforms. For the consumer, there are Vimeo and YouTube. Professionals have other platforms. Our experience teaches us that clients mainly use the Blue Billywig Online Video Platform for professional objectives. Which means: uploading videos, adapting them, integrating the OVP in current systems, creating extensive interactive videos and gathering more in-depth data.

To create a good workflow, we have chosen screens that give an overview. This helps the user focus and deal with questions later. We stay clear from a wizard structure. Instead, we use a clear and clean overview in each and every screen.

The future of the OVP

OVP6 has been live from 2016 onward and below we offer you a little sneak peek. However, it is better when you experience it live. So, make sure you log into our Online Video Platform.

Also, as of 2019 we have launched OVP7, with plenty of new features and big improvements on our analytics.

Login Online Video Platform

Upload and Transcode Online Video Platform

Metadescription Online Video Platform

Playout Online Video Platform

Mobile interface Online Video Platform