Cloud applications: avoiding the pitfall of poor usability design

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Cloud applications: avoiding the pitfall of poor usability design

Posted On : Feb-04-2011 | seen (308) times | Article Word Count : 595 |

Cloud applications utilize the internet as a means of providing software to various users. Providing software in this manner can be usability advantageous and eliminates the need for clients to install and run the application on their personal computers. This enables an easier process of maintenance and support. At the same time, cloud applications usually rely on internet browsers to access and run, and thus may have different requirements in terms software usability than traditional desktop applications. While this can be an opportunity for providing an increased usability, professionals involved with in the interface design of cloud applications need to keep a few things in mind when designing user interfaces.

As a result of their ease and utility, cloud applications have become a very popular method of software delivery. However, there is a danger in supplying software via the web. From a usability perspective, the interface design used to present these programs should not become too complex, risking nullifying the maintenance advantage of cloud applications. It should also take into consideration the fact that the browser window usually serves as a frame for the application, thus limiting screen space available for the core of the application as well as providing navigation options that usually do not exist in desktop applications. In addition, cloud applications need to work in different browsers without confusing the user.

But there are also common usability issues that should be considered. Like with traditional applications, one of the major problems associated with cloud application user interface design in terms of usability is the creation of interfaces that are unclear. Whether it is perplexing navigation support or obscure site structure, cloud application interfaces that do not enable optimal usability can be a major pitfall and waste of time, both for the users and for their employers or clients. The impact can be dramatic for the cloud application provider: While desktop applications are usually purchased with a lifetime license that is paid upfront, cloud applications are often offered as software-as-a-service where the license fee is spread out across the period of use. So if the user decides to switch to a different tool because of poor usability – the cloud application provider may lose a lot of money.

In order to avoid cloud application usability hazards, designers should keep the following things in mind:

• Internet connection: Cloud applications should be designed to concurrently support fast and slow internet connections as well as different browsers. Make sure you use the right amount of content and images so that your application can easily be accessed regardless of the speed of the internet connection. Don’t use too many graphical details that may slow down the app.

• Navigation support: Users should be able to navigate cloud applications quickly and with efficacy. Can users easily identify how to navigate from one page to the next? Does the user know where he is in the application and where he needs to click to go to his next destination?

• Overall site structure: Is the structure of the cloud application site logical and can clients use the software without being technology experts? Remember that cloud applications are not websites: they are used to complete a certain task rather than simply look at pretty content.

If designers are able to keep these things in mind during the creation of new cloud applications, it will be easier to ensure great usability, and in turn users and their clients will be more easily satisfied and kept as happy customers.

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<h1>Cloud applications: avoiding the pitfall of poor usability design</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Martin Metz.aspx'>Martin Metz</a> Cloud applications utilize the internet as a means of providing software to various users. Providing software in this manner can be usability advantageous and eliminates the need for clients to install and run the application on their personal computers. This enables an easier process of maintenance and support. At the same time, cloud applications usually rely on internet browsers to access and run, and thus may have different requirements in terms software usability than traditional desktop applications. While this can be an opportunity for providing an increased usability, professionals involved with in the interface design of cloud applications need to keep a few things in mind when designing user interfaces.

As a result of their ease and utility, cloud applications have become a very popular method of software delivery.  However, there is a danger in supplying software via the web. From a usability perspective, the interface design used to present these programs should not become too complex, risking nullifying the maintenance advantage of cloud applications. It should also take into consideration the fact that the browser window usually serves as a frame for the application, thus limiting screen space available for the core of the application as well as providing navigation options that usually do not exist in desktop applications. In addition, cloud applications need to work in different browsers without confusing the user.

But there are also common usability issues that should be considered. Like with traditional applications, one of the major problems associated with cloud application user interface design in terms of usability is the creation of interfaces that are unclear. Whether it is perplexing navigation support or obscure site structure, cloud application interfaces that do not enable optimal usability can be a major pitfall and waste of time, both for the users and for their employers or clients. The impact can be dramatic for the cloud application provider: While desktop applications are usually purchased with a lifetime license that is paid upfront, cloud applications are often offered as software-as-a-service where the license fee is spread out across the period of use. So if the user decides to switch to a different tool because of poor usability – the cloud application provider may lose a lot of money.

In order to avoid cloud application usability hazards, designers should keep the following things in mind:

•	Internet connection:  Cloud applications should be designed to concurrently support fast and slow internet connections as well as different browsers. Make sure you use the right amount of content and images so that your application can easily be accessed regardless of the speed of the internet connection.  Don’t use too many graphical details that may slow down the app.

•	Navigation support: Users should be able to navigate cloud applications quickly and with efficacy. Can users easily identify how to navigate from one page to the next? Does the user know where he is in the application and where he needs to click to go to his next destination?

•	Overall site structure: Is the structure of the cloud application site logical and can clients use the software without being technology experts? Remember that cloud applications are not websites: they are used to complete a certain task rather than simply look at pretty content.

If designers are able to keep these things in mind during the creation of new cloud applications, it will be easier to ensure great usability, and in turn users and their clients will be more easily satisfied and kept as happy customers.
About the Author: Pidoco.com – <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pidoco.com/" target="_blank" title="Interface Design, Wireframing">Interface Design</a>, Wireframe Software, Wireframe Tools, <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pidoco.com/" target="_blank" title="Usability Design, Interface Design Software">Interface Design Software</a>, Clickable Wireframes and GUI Prototyping Tool. A GUI Design Interface Software for Clickable Wireframes! Wireframe creating and GUI prototyping tool. Fast wireframe creation and remote website usability testing. Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Cloud-applications-avoiding-the-pitfall-of-poor-usability-design_51479.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Cloud applications: avoiding the pitfall of poor usability design_51479.aspx</a>

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Pidoco.com – Interface Design, Wireframe Software, Wireframe Tools, Interface Design Software, Clickable Wireframes and GUI Prototyping Tool. A GUI Design Interface Software for Clickable Wireframes! Wireframe creating and GUI prototyping tool. Fast wireframe creation and remote website usability testing.

Keywords : interface design, ui design, ui prototyping, interface design software, interface design tool, wireframe software, wireframe ,

Category : Computers : Software

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