VRM (Victron Remote Management) is a portal used by engineers and installers to monitor and manage solar energy installations remotely. The Advanced page displays detailed data visualisations including live readings, historical graphs, and system health metrics.
The existing Advanced page had grown organically over time and was difficult to use, particularly for new users unfamiliar with energy data terminology.
A focus group study was conducted with a mix of experienced engineers and newer users. Key research methods included:
Research output showing how engineers mentally organise energy data
The page displayed all data simultaneously without priority ordering. Users struggled to find the metrics most relevant to their current task.
Graphs used different scales, colour conventions, and interaction patterns depending on which widget had been added. Cross-comparison was difficult.
The original Advanced page — overwhelming and inconsistent for new users
All users saw the same default view regardless of their role or the type of installation they were managing.
Data was grouped into logical sections: overview, power flow, historical trends, and system health. Users can collapse sections they don't need.
Redesigned information architecture with logical data grouping
A unified graph component was designed with consistent colour coding, time range selectors, and hover states across all data types.
Standardising graph components for consistency across all data types
A key new feature was the summary timeline — a compact chart showing power generation and consumption over a selected period. This gave users an at-a-glance understanding of system performance without opening individual widgets.
The new summary timeline gives users a quick read on system performance
Final VRM Advanced page across device sizes
The redesigned Advanced page received positive feedback in follow-up testing. Task completion rates improved significantly, and users reported feeling more confident navigating the data. The customisable layout was particularly well received by power users who had previously relied on workarounds.