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Sennheiser: Custom headsets for air traffic controllers, ordered online

Client

Sennheiser

Industry

Communication technology

Services

UX/UI Design

Development

React

Ruby on Rails

One headset for every controller

You're sitting in a Boeing 737 on your way to a holiday, and the pilot has asked you to fasten your seatbelts for the approach to [insert your favourite destination here]. Right now, the communication between the pilot and the air traffic controller is crucial for you to get safely back on the ground.

That's why every air traffic controller has their own custom-built headset, tailored to their exact needs. Sennheiser is one of only two companies in the world that can build them. Together, we developed a system where controllers can design, configure and order their headset directly from Sennheiser themselves.

Right down to the ohms in the connectors

A headset for air traffic controllers is a complex product. Everything is configured to the individual controller's needs, right down to how many ohms of resistance the connectors should have.

Previously, the controller was sent a set of documents and Excel sheets to fill in. The options weren't self-explanatory, so the heavy process usually led to a stream of emails.

Sennheiser dreamt of moving ordering into the browser: no files sent back and forth, fewer emails and support calls, and a system that guides controllers through the many choices by itself.

Ordered like in a webshop

A configurator that guides

After two months of dialogue and tight project management, we were ready with an application that runs in the browser and opens from a link, just like an ordinary webshop. It guides the controller through every choice that has to be made when configuring the headset.

Fewer support requests, more confident choices

The application has reduced the number of support requests, and controllers feel more confident in their choices.

Bills of materials straight away

Once the controller has designed their headset, the order is placed in a few clicks. Behind the scenes, the system generates bills of materials, so Sennheiser can easily handle the order.