Motivating Design Improves User Health and Builds Brand

THE CHALLENGE

LINAK faced a challenge shared by many industrial companies: When delivering a single component for a larger product, a company’s public identity easily disappears in the midst of brands involved. Creating additional services that interact directly with end-users is a great way to overcome this:

“We wanted to create an application that could improve user health while emphasizing the core of our product. Being a trusted partner, Mjølner was a natural part in achieving this goal.”

-Bjarke Thomsen, SBU Sales Manager, LINAK

Mjølner created LINAK Desk Control™ for LINAK. An application that builds brand awareness and motivates users to benefit fully from their height adjustable tables.

With LINAK Desk Control™, the user controls the desk via software on the PC/Mac and commands any movement from the computer keyboard. The software guides the user to optimum use of the desk functions and is very simple and intuitive to use.

LINAK is a market-leading manufacturer of linear actuators with a global presence and is a close partner to Mjølner. Before initiating this project, we worked with Linak’s Medline & Careline division in the creation of patient panels with intelligent touch.

CUSTOMIZABLE AND INFORMATIONAL

LINAK Desk Control™ is a small application for users’ work computer. With personal settings, it calculates the number of minutes you should stand up each day in order to achieve your desired calorie burn or ergonomic benefit.

The application then informs you when to stand up, how close you are to reaching your goal, when you can sit down again, and so on.

ENCOURAGEMENT OR DISTURBANCE

The application posed two main challenges:

1. When dealing with health, it is essential that calculations are precise. LINAK’s own researchers developed a complex formula for that purpose.
2. The challenge of creating a design that encourages users to incorporate exercise into their workday without causing unnecessary disturbance.

“Developers, UX’ers, and designers were all in for a challenge here. The project called for important decisions on many levels, and Mjølner’s ability to cooperate was central.”

– Mikkel Yde Kjær, Mobile Manager, Mjølner Informatics

THE SERVICE IS THE FACE OF THE PRODUCT

Services that interact directly with users also give you a chance to show the face of a brand.

“We wanted to help end-users achieve a more active workday and improve their quality of life, while portraying our values to them. Finding the right tone of voice was key.”

– Bjarke Thomsen, SBU Sales Manager, LINAK

12 CUSTOM VERSIONS ALREADY SOLD

The value of the application is clear to LINAK’s customers. It creates brand awareness, while integrating the use of their product in user’s daily life.

LINAK has already sold the LINAK Desk Control™ application in 12 custom versions for different suppliers of height adjustable tables.

Find the software here.