Dutchie
In 2021, following Dutchie’s acquisition of LeafLogix and Greenbits, I led the design of Dutchie’s new Point of Sale system, built on LeafLogix’s core platform to unify and modernize the retail experience.
Project Purpose
Dutchie’s Point of Sale redesign aimed to unify multiple acquired platforms into a single, modern POS experience that could scale with the operational complexity of enterprise cannabis retailers. Following the acquisition of LeafLogix and Greenbits, the goal was to preserve the strongest capabilities of each system while delivering a cohesive, intuitive experience aligned with Dutchie’s brand and long-term product strategy.
The project focused on reducing friction in high-volume retail workflows, improving usability for frontline staff, and creating a flexible foundation capable of supporting multi-location operators, dynamic pricing models, and complex inventory requirements in a highly regulated environment.
Project Objectives
- Seamless Integration
Consolidate LeafLogix’s robust POS capabilities into a unified Dutchie platform, ensuring continuity and a smooth transition for existing LeafLogix customers. - Enhanced User Experience
Redesign the UI and UX to improve speed, clarity, and ease of use for cannabis retailers operating in fast-paced retail environments. - Scalable and Flexible Design
Deliver a scalable solution capable of supporting multi-location management, complex inventory structures, and evolving regulatory and business needs.
Scope of Work
Discovery and Research
- Conducted a deep analysis of the existing LeafLogix system to identify strengths, usability gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
- Collaborated with LeafLogix customers and internal stakeholders to understand real-world workflows, operational pain points, and edge cases.
- Evaluated Greenbits features to ensure valuable functionality was retained and thoughtfully integrated into the new Dutchie POS experience.
Design and Development
- Wireframes and Prototypes
Created initial wireframes and interactive prototypes to explore layout, workflows, and system architecture. Designs were iteratively refined based on stakeholder and user feedback. - UI/UX Redesign
Designed a modern, intuitive interface that streamlined critical retail workflows, reduced cognitive load, and improved task efficiency for budtenders and managers. - Integration and Testing
Worked closely with engineering partners to ensure seamless integration of LeafLogix’s core functionality into the Dutchie platform. Supported testing efforts to identify issues and refine interactions ahead of launch.
Feedback and Iteration
- Stakeholder Workshops
Facilitated collaborative workshops with internal teams and key users to review concepts and validate design decisions. - Internal Reviews
Participated in regular design critiques with Dutchie’s product design team to align on standards, usability, and brand consistency. - Beta Testing
Supported beta testing with select customers to validate workflows, gather real-world feedback, and inform final refinements prior to release.
Challenges
- Pandemic Restrictions
The project was executed entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic. While cannabis retailers remained operational as essential businesses, border closures and travel restrictions eliminated the possibility of in-person research or on-site observation. - Limited In-Person Observation
Inability to observe retail environments firsthand required a heavier reliance on remote interviews, screen sharing, and moderated usability testing. This constraint demanded highly structured research sessions to accurately capture operational nuances and workflow complexity.
Achieved Goals
Enterprise cannabis e-commerce presents unique backend challenges due to rapidly changing inventory, pricing, and promotions across multiple storefronts. This project focused on modernizing the Business Dashboard to improve scalability, usability, and global configuration across large retail operations.
- Left-Hand Navigation to simplify wayfinding across complex admin tools
- Overlay Inputs to reduce context switching during high-frequency tasks
- Advanced Filters for faster product and data management
- Enhanced Global Configuration to support consistent multi-store operations
Together, these updates streamlined complex backend workflows while creating a scalable foundation for enterprise growth. The redesigned Business Dashboard enables multi-store cannabis retailers to manage products more efficiently, consistently, and with greater confidence.
Outcome
The redesign of Dutchie’s Point of Sale system—building on the strengths of LeafLogix—successfully addressed the evolving needs of cannabis retailers while significantly improving usability and efficiency. By integrating the most valuable features from both acquired platforms and introducing a more modern, scalable design system, the project delivered a cohesive experience aligned with Dutchie’s enterprise standards.
A highly collaborative, iterative feedback process was central to the project’s success, ensuring the final solution met both business goals and real-world user needs. This work highlights the value of leveraging existing strengths while thoughtfully innovating to support growth in a complex, regulated industry.
I really enjoyed working with Heather! We collaborated on several projects and designed thoughtful solutions for our users. Among other projects, Heather conducted user interviews, designed prototypes for usability testing, and even read and interpreted complex regulations/rules, that informed a lot of decision-making and requirements.
