DCI in the Field: Q&A with Senior UX Designer Kams Thorum
To build products that will continue to advance global infrastructure in the future, we need to know what works and doesn't work right now. Putting DCI designers and product managers in the field helps shape these decisions. That's why DCI Senior UX Designer Kams Thorum, seen in the photo above, and Senior Product Manager Maggie MacLean hit the road in March and April to experience the modern job site. Since returning, their observations have already begun to have an impact on the company's long-term plan. Here's what Kams had to say about his time with US drillers and DCI territory managers.
How long were you gone? Where did you go? How many job sites did you visit?
Five weeks total! The first week was at this year’s ConExpo in Las Vegas to get a feeling for the current trends in the construction industry overall. Then a week each to the Midwest, California, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic territories. That worked out to about 20 job sites over four weeks.
What was your biggest takeaway from the trip?
That there is a lot of work out there, and more work to be done. Every territory, every crew, is busy as all get out. They’re out there working hard, and our products are working for them.
Did your expectation of the field match what you experienced?
It did, yeah! It was good to observe the challenges drill crews tend to run into: can’t find a utility, grinding for hours on rock, getting caught in a freezing rainstorm. For someone like me who usually works from an office, it was a welcome change of pace. Nice to get outside for a bit!
You recently attended ConExpo. Is what you saw in modern and upcoming technology aligning with the needs of in-the-field operators?
I hope so. What I saw at ConExpo seemed to indicate a trend towards paring back, stripping things away to the essentials. Less color, less decoration. Just the basics. For our industry that’s not a bad thing. Products need to be tough, durable, and get the job done.
What are the main trends you’re seeing in construction and infrastructure equipment?
There is definitely a trend – and this is everywhere, not just in the industry – of paring back to the essentials. From a design perspective, what I see is a trend toward simpler, high-quality products. Not fancy, but tried and tested and well-made. This sort of shift is pretty common during a time of economic uncertainty. Folks want to focus on the things that are important. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a swing the other way in five years or so in the other direction: more experimentation, more out-there ideas.
How is DCI addressing the needs of the modern HDD business owner and field operator?
DCI has always provided products that get the job done. I saw a lot of Falcons out there but I also saw a lot of classics! We make products that are made to work hard, that our users can rely on. That will continue with the products we’re working on now. Based on what I was able to observe out there in the field, my personal goals are ease of use and interconnectivity. Make the job easier, make the job faster – because as I said above, there’s a lot of work to be done.