Who actually wants functional software?

For the avoidance of doubt. That is not me.

A couple of weeks ago some of the product managers in our company have been sharing a few ideas around user experience and how we can make more engaging B2B applications. One of my colleagues shared the following article which focussed on how people are “addicted” to technology.When looking at B2B applications we are – like many – exploring “Game theory” and “Rewards” to enhance the users experience in  a product. Whilst it is easy to dismiss this in a work environment – after all we do get a reward for doing our jobs, it’s called a pay cheque, there is definitely merit in exploring ways the user can be delighted by using a product. In a simple fashion it could be an “exciter” feature. Something which is beyond the minimum functional spec, but something which is basically cool and pleases the user. It’s intangible to a degree which is why most companies skip them. Think of reading a book on an iPad – turning the page mimics turning a real book page, with the reverse bleed of the ink visible (now removed in iOS7 of course!). Totally unnecessary to reading an ebook on the device, but very neat.

But a key disadvantage to designing B2B applications is that relative to consumer applications or even games the individual is often forced to use an application they did not chose, and its part of their job. In 2013 a poll revealed that up to 70% of employees did not like their job. That raises a whole other debate on how to improve your life, but back to software, this places a huge demand on the user experience and a software designers. Throw into the mix that in a B2B environment the users probably didn’t have any role selecting the software and it becomes easy to see why it is difficult to get right. This is pitted further against cost/corner cutting to get something into market.

I once heard User Experience defined once as “the difference between functional and usable”. Functional is no longer going to be enough to win the market, it is only one part of the equation. Instead businesses are going to have to invest further into User Experience and design so even if 70% of people hate their job – they might just like using your application. Game theory may play some role in this, but the software must move on to enhance the operators experience, increasing productivity and be centred around making them – and their line managers a hero! Functional software is very last year, usable software is where it’s at.

Chris M

Digital Essentials no1

Digitally Essential – Download Now!

There are endless “Must Have” apps and lists out there associated. But really, how many are “essential”. Last week my phone went in for repair, where upon I was told they may lose all my data. There was a time that the most important thing on the phone was of course – phone numbers. For better or worse I have those backed up through Google so thats covered. But now, the most important thing on my phone – photos. Last weekend I was talking to a friend who said he basically had the first 4 years of his childs life documented in photos on his phone. No backup. So the first essential app to get – Dropbox. I could list the fact you get 2GB storage for free, expanding over time if you play it smart. Or I could list that its the most compatible software I’ve ever encountered. Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Blackberry, Ubuntu and even WebOS. I’ve tried it on all of these and never had a problem. Yes even WebOS – the Dreamcast of recent operating systems. It’s great to know we’ve got key documents backed up in storage etc etc, but the killer feature is simply when I take a photo on my phone its backed up straight away (or when you enter a wifi area). No cables, no remembering to download, its there in seconds. It won’t be long before this is how all cameras work.

https://www.dropbox.com/

There’s no excuse to not sign up to great reliable software like this. You can do it now, or you can do it after you lost all those photos.

Chris M

When you run out of things to add to a product…

Envelopes can be very tricky…

As a product manager I’m always interested in how things are modified, and we’ll assume for the benefit of all users. But I thought I’d share this one from todays post. When you’ve got the right kind of easy open glue, the size is standardised, the quality of the paper is set, how do you enhance the humble envelope? You add in an easy open option for those who find regular opening of envelopes tricky. Can’t help but think this feature isn’t top of the list, perhaps verging on over engineering?