Having worked with Rebit since I started MooseDesign, this was a dream job with a long time dream client!
The Problem
Rebit’s unbelievable backup software (no really, you should check it out) started life doing something that few Window’s users had access to before… constant, real-time backup of their entire system with every keystroke or change. Originally, it was admittedly a little bit of a geek tool, with great access and power available to those able to plumb its depths. The challenge was to move the app from that point to far greater accessibility to a wider audience.
The Process
Working directly with management and the engineering team behind the software, we came up with an entirely new workflow and strategy for interaction that would form the backbone of the software moving forward. A key ingredient for the software as well, was the requirement that it be able to be easily skinned for usage by big OEM clients. To that end, the CTO and I championed a webkit based app approach that could easily fit a given brand by simply changing the CSS and image library to affect a complete change to the visuals.
The Solution
I immediately tackled the desire to give users immediate and obvious feedback on the status of their backups by creating a dashboard with large, clear icons. The navigation was kept very shallow in order to keep users well oriented within the system while surfacing a great deal of power and control over their backups at a high level. With a bevy of awards and an enormous uptick in end user sales and OEM deals, its safe to say that the new software has been an unmitigated success!
PC World had this to say, “Rebit 5’s new interface is hands-down the finest ode to manipulating shape-consciousness I’ve ever seen in any backup program.” and “A stunning, easy-to-use interface makes automated backups viable.”
