IT professionals say newer users need user interfaces (UI) that reflect their everyday technology usage and older users need interfaces that don`t change.
QAD chief marketing officer Gordon Fleming explains that the company`s customers have asked that new implementations of QAD`s enterprise resource planning (ERP) software be developed with both older and new users in mind.
To that end, he says, QAD has spent a large amount of time developing software UIs that can interchange between what older users already know and a new UI that will appeal to younger, more information savvy users.
"We are seeing a new generation of users. Young people have a completely different paradigm, sending hundreds of text messages a day, using a Facebook page. Companies are telling us that these new users are looking for a completely different experience in their ERP systems."
He says these new users also have different usage expectations and demonstrates by comparing them with traditional ERP use. "Looking at, for example, a user in shop floor control, who was typically a junior member of staff capturing the information, while another more senior member would generate the reports."
Broader functions
Fleming explains that, traditionally, if there was a discrepancy in, for example, supply, the user would phone the employee in charge of procurement to have a problem solved. He says now, the new generation of users is looking for more control and performing all three tasks.
"The new user`s expectation is that he will be able to navigate through the system. They are now expecting to perform a much broader range of things than ever before. The days of users having to perform a narrow range of tasks is over."
The challenge is to acknowledge the new user, while keeping long-term employees comfortable at the same time, adds Fleming. "Users that have been interacting with software for 20 years are comfortable with the look and feel and will not be happy to change what they see."
Emerging from company executives attending this week`s Explore EMEA customer conference in Sorrento, Italy, is that the company has a strategy to make its software interfaces as intuitive as possible. Fleming says this is why it has introduced the interchangeable interface that will cater for both settled and next-generation users.
In her presentation yesterday, QAD president Pam Lopker said software should not require training for use. "We are looking at the bank ATM model. I have not heard of anyone who needs to be trained in the usage of ATM software. We are trying to develop our products so that they will not require education."
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