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 and jurisdictions. This project focused on modernizing Dutchie’s platform following the acquisition of LeafLogix and Greenbits, with the goal of unifying the strongest capabilities of each into a scalable, enterprise-ready system.
I led the redesign and launch of Dutchie’s Point of Sale v1, combining the best of both acquired platforms into a modern POS now used by 6,000+ stores across three countries. The work spanned ideation through execution, including early concept exploration, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration throughout the full project lifecycle.
Key Initiatives & Updates
Configurable by Design
Dutchie POS was built to support complex, multi-store cannabis operations through robust global configuration controls and granular workflow customization. Operators can define transaction rules, required data fields, permissions, and inventory logic — ensuring consistency at scale while allowing store-level flexibility.
Embedded Compliance
Compliance and traceability are integrated directly into every transaction. Automated regulatory safeguards adapt to state and provincial requirements, reducing risk and eliminating manual oversight in highly regulated markets.
Actionable Reporting
Advanced filtering and 200+ built-in reports provide real-time visibility into sales, staff performance, inventory, and customer behavior. Configurable data outputs ensure operators see the metrics that matter most to their business.
Designed for Operational Efficiency
To simplify complex admin tools, I introduced a right-hand navigation system that improved wayfinding across high-density workflows. Overlay inputs reduced context switching during high-frequency tasks, increasing speed and accuracy at checkout and in back-office management.
Integrated Payments
Seamless POS-native payments eliminate manual entry and reduce cash dependency. Integrated debit solutions streamline checkout, increase basket size, and lower operational risk.
Design solutions were delivered across web, iPad, POS hardware, and mobile applications, ensuring seamless user journeys for budtenders, delivery drivers, and managers. In parallel, I coordinated directly with Canadian government regulatory authorities to ensure compliance and enable Dutchie’s successful expansion into the Canadian market.
To align regulatory requirements with business and engineering constraints, I led collaborative workshops with stakeholders and internal teams, iterating rapidly based on real-time feedback while working under strict launch timelines.
Together, these updates streamlined complex backend workflows while creating a scalable foundation for enterprise growth. The redesigned dashboard and POS experience enable multi-store cannabis retailers to manage products more efficiently, consistently, and with greater confidence.
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.
