Delivering Cloud-based Labs at Scale
VMware Learning Platform (VLP) was a powerful but aging internal tool. It lacked a cohesive UX, modern architecture, and commercial positioning. This is the story of how I helped reshape it into a SaaS offering - by earning trust, embedding design, and transforming the experience, one module at a time.
Summary
What is VLP?
VMware Learning Platform is a browser-based lab platform that allows companies to deliver hands-on IT training without complex installations. It powers instructor-led sessions, sales demos, sandbox trials, and cybersecurity exercises.
What is this case study about?
How trust, small wins, and design-led thinking helped transform a 20-year-old internal tool into a commercial SaaS product generating over $1M annually.
Team
- Engineering: 14 Developers, 1 Director
- Product: 1 Product Manager, 2 Solution Architects
- Design: Me (Lead Designer), later hired 1 Designer as I transitioned to management.
My Role
As the Lead Designer, I brought UX thinking to an engineering-first team, gradually introducing design value and leading the end-to-end transformation. Over time, I moved into a managerial role, hired a new designer, and led the complete redesign of the platform’s core modules.
Constraints
- Tight engineering schedules and legacy systems
- Team hesitant to collaborate with UX
- No prior design involvement on the product
Impact
- VLP transitioned from internal tool to productized SaaS
- 12,000+ live trainings delivered
- 30+ enterprise customers onboarded
- Over $1M in annual recurring revenue (ARR) within 1 year of launch
Hands-on Users
Developers and Instructors
Try, learn, or test complex enterprise hardware or software.
Solution Architects
Build custom solutions for VMware Customers.
VMware Field Sales
Demo VMware products to customers.
Process
Building Trust First
PRODUCT
Conducted 1:1 interviews and shadowing sessions with Solution Architects to map current usage challenges and mental models.
ENGINEERING
Embedded with engineering, joined daily standups, and reviewed sprint plans—offering design input without disrupting velocity.
MARKET
Analyzed competing platforms and identified positioning opportunities.
This low-friction approach built credibility, understand the ecosystem, and approach without disrupting dynamics.
This low-friction approach built credibility, understand the ecosystem, and approach without disrupting dynamics.
Early Wins: Showing Value Without Friction
Instead of pushing big redesigns, I suggested small design tweaks per sprint - improving consistency, usability, and legibility across modules, earning engineering trust.
A few ‘good-to-haves’ quietly improved usability - and caught their attention!
Spark Moment: Designing a New Module
I was invited me to design a brand-new “Classroom Experience” module from scratch. Rather than designing it in isolation, I showed how it could fit into a more holistic, intuitive experience across the app.
Though only a module was built, the preview seeded interest in full redesign.
Gaining Momentum: Billing UI
Next, I tackled the billing interface—making usage and consumption data transparent and user-friendly, adding a dashboard to aid subscription decisions. Positive user feedback led to its adoption.
“This is fantastic! It will really clarify decision-making.” 👋
Customer feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the design was adopted.
VLP Lite: Designing for Simplicity
To onboard trial users better, I designed a “Lite” version of the product:
- Simplified language
- Progressive disclosure
- Clearer information architecture
We tested this at VMworld—and it resonated. Customers found it approachable and engaging.
Scaling Up: Team & Product Expansion
As I moved into a manager role, I hired a full-time designer for VLP. Together, we delivered full redesigns of VLP LabBuilder, Event Management, and Instructor Dashboard modules.
Finally VLP had cohesive, intentional design across its entire experience.
Execution: Developer-Friendly Handoffs
Having a developer background, I knew what good handoff looked like—and what frustrated engineers. I built a handoff system that was:
- Clear: standardized naming and documentation
- Accessible: everyone had Figma access + guidance
- Complete: included edge cases, empty states, and fallback paths
- Collaborative: feedback-friendly and technically feasible
Product Highlights
- Access labs from any HTML5 browser
- Modular UI embedded into virtual consoles
- True VM Console experience for advanced users
Results
- 30+ enterprise customers onboarded
- 12,000+ trainings delivered since 2022
- 1M+ hands-on demos completed
- $1M+ in revenue, transforming an internal tool into a product
What This Taught Me
Small wins build big trust. With VLP, I learned that being humble, technical, and collaborative allows design to lead from within, without disrupting momentum - especially in deeply engineering-driven environments.
Thanks for stopping by!