user experience
user interface

Fluke LinkIQ™
Cable + Network
Tester

A Lasting Foundation
user experience
user interface

As the worldwide leader in certification, troubleshooting, and installation tools for professionals who install and maintain critical network cabling infrastructure, Fluke Corporation continues to offer innovative solutions that provide deep visibility and uncover previously unseen problems.

Looking to simplify their latest cable testing device, Fluke called on Tactile to help establish a foundation of user experience design elements for the LinkIQ™ Cable + Network Tester.

Research and Conceptualize

In order to create an experience that would be easy for anyone to use, the design team needed to address the following challenges: (a) understand and define the product, (b) the product differentiation from its competitors, and (c) the product requirements. We wanted to create an experience that would be intuitive and powerful for its users.

To understand how we can help improve LinkIQ™ Cable + Network Tester’s user experience, we conducted firsthand research at construction sites where we observed how cables are installed and tested. In addition, we had the opportunity to see how they’re using existing products–the pros and cons and how they’d change the products to improve efficiency on the job. 

Iterate and Prototype

After understanding the real-world use cases, we presented Fluke with design concepts on the user interface (UI), closely collaborated with Fluke to go through concept iterations, and built a

software prototype. A working prototype helped further understand how we can further improve user efficiencies that are applied to complex work environments.

Powerful and Intuitive

LinkIQ™ measures network capacity (up to 10 Gig) via frequency-based measurements and performs nearest switch diagnostics to identify key network issues and validates switch configuration, eliminating the need of using another device. In addition, LinkIQ™ provides a 

graphical wiremap and length test to identify common faults that occur with cabling installation. Our collaborative approach with Fluke helped elevate LinkIQ™ Cable + Network Tester’s user experience, making it easily accessible and improving overall cable testing efficiency.