Addressing Unintuitive Medication Storage
Medication storage in oncology clinics is often unintuitive, leading to user errors that can compromise security and disrupt inventory tracking. AllyGPO, a Group Purchasing Organization specializing in oncology treatment drugs, recognized this pain point within their offering. While it's common for GPOs to bundle generic lockers with inventory and software, AllyGPO saw an opportunity to differentiate with a purpose-built, smart medication cabinet.
Their goal was clear: develop a cabinet that integrated seamlessly with their software platform, offered tangible workflow improvements, and gave clinics a compelling reason to switch. When AllyGPO approached us, they had an extensive list of possible features. We worked closely with them to refine these ideas into a viable solution grounded in real user needs and practical constraints — balancing ambition with cost, usability, and manufacturability.
Grounded in Real User Context
Our work began with in-depth research inside oncology clinics. By observing daily workflows and interviewing nurses and techs, we uncovered critical insights that shaped the design direction. One notable discovery was that staff often left smart cabinet doors unlocked — defeating the security purpose entirely. Why? Because rigid software tracking made it burdensome to log every medication movement, so nurses simply bypassed the system to save time.
This surfaced a core challenge: if the software doesn't fit the real pace of work, it won't be used as intended. We asked ourselves: Could hardware make software tracking less burdensome? The answer was yes — by tracking the movement of modular bins instead of individual medications. This shift in thinking became a key pillar of the cabinet's design.
Prototyping and Technical Exploration
Our concept exploration focused on testing ideas quickly and cost-effectively. We built functional prototypes of drawer systems using 3D-printed trays and off-the-shelf slides to validate mechanics and user interaction.
Mechanical, electrical, and firmware teams collaborated closely to ensure the entire system worked as one. A modular bin system, designed around a simple grid, enables clinics to reconfigure storage without major hardware changes. The electrical architecture, which initially relied on a more complex CAN bus protocol, evolved into a more practical, cost-effective system that still ensures reliable bin tracking regardless of position.
To make the experience intuitive, we prototyped LED wayfinding lights. These guide staff directly to the correct bin, dramatically reducing the time spent hunting for medications.
A Smart System Designed for Real Workflows
The final design goes far beyond simply locking up drugs. It actively streamlines everyday tasks in busy clinics:
Full-Extension Doors and Shelves: Provide easy access without awkward reaching.
Smart Bin Tracking: Keeps location data up to date automatically when bins are moved, eliminating the need for manual updates.
Wayfinding LEDs: Guide staff straight to the right bin, cutting down wasted time.
Accurate Inventory Insights: Better data helps clinics manage restocking efficiently and plan purchases more strategically.
Calming Visual Design: A vertical drawer layout, soft-close slides, and warm, muted colors create a quiet presence that blends into clinical environments.
By solving real usability problems, AllyGPO's cabinet delivers on the promise of secure storage while saving time, reducing errors, and freeing up staff to focus on patient care — setting it apart from generic locker systems.
From Vision to Production
Bringing such a complex product to market required attention to every detail behind the cabinet's clean exterior. Inside are more than 250 PCBs and countless tight tolerances. To ensure the highest quality, we collaborated with top-tier toolmakers and involved the factory early in development. Our overseas team worked side by side with factory engineers throughout the build, performing tooling reviews, quality inspections, and milestone check-ins to ensure the final product met design intent and shipped on time.
Continuing Partnership
Beyond launch, we continue to partner with AllyGPO to manage production orders and forecast demand as they expand their footprint. We also provide ongoing firmware and software support, adapting the system in response to real-world feedback. Together, we're not only delivering smart cabinets — we're redefining how medication storage can be more intuitive, secure, and efficient for oncology clinics.
