CIOs Demand Function over User Friendly Interface but Insight Enabling Infrastructures Provide Both

Enterprise software can be a company’s most beneficial tool, if they can spend the time necessary to integrate it and generate relevant results. Unfortunately, according to Wall Street Journal’s article “Enterprise Software: Why the User Experience Matters” enterprise software users are unhappy with the usability of today’s products and in most cases find them maddening to use.

Enterprise software users are being vocal about confusion and frustration with densely packed interfaces, inefficient workflows, and navigating endless screens to complete processes:

In the procurement function of one major ERP system, for example, a user has to complete roughly 36 steps just to go from creating a purchase requisition to issuing a purchase order. Some IT executives dismiss the importance of giving users the same smooth, intuitive experience with enterprise software that they enjoy with consumer applications. In the software form vs. function debate, these CIOs come down squarely on the side of function.

A user friendly interface goes a long way in the adaption process of new enterprise software, whereas a difficult transition can cause a decrease in the anticipated ROI expectations of the user. CIO’s may not care about providing users a friendly interface, but companies like Polyspot thrive on providing a positive user experience. Their innovative insight enabling infrastructure technology offers users ease of access in an intuitive design that provides efficient information access in an enterprise wide environment.

Jennifer Shockley, September 20, 2012

Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext