It’s a question you hear all the time; what is the difference between UI and UX? Or maybe, which is more important? While User Interface Design is more focused on how something looks, and User Experience is more focused on how the user interacts with the system, the two cannot be separated. You can’t have form over function, the form and function must work together.
Think about your dream car. It probably has some design aspects that speak to you. Sharp lines, an elegant interior, an aggressive stance. These are UI elements, or form. But if those sharp lines limit visibility, the interior has a confusing button layout, or that aggressive stance can’t go over a speed bump, you have functional issues. The user experience is poor.
Business systems are notorious for being difficult to use, ugly, and cumbersome. Basically, no visual or experience design. Most software vendors are designing their systems to be sold to as many companies as possible, so they need to be very generic. A lot of businesses buy this software with some expectation that they can just turn it on, and it will make their business run better. The reality is these systems need to be customized to guide your users through the business processes that the system is designed to enable, in order for the system to be considered a success.
Consider what your users do today, and what you want them to do. Does your system lay out those steps for them in a logical order? Or does the user have to know where to go first, second, etc? How many screens, button clicks, systems do they need to use? The harder the system is to use, the less likely your users are to use it effectively, if at all. What benefit does the user see out of using the system, and what benefit is your organization hoping to see? Is the system customized to ensure that those benefits are realized?
How connected are your users to your brand? Most companies have strong brand guidelines and work very hard to keep everyone bought into the branding. Does your back office system carry that branding? Do your users feel like they are engaged with a system from your company, or some 3rd party vendor that they have no attachment to? Would your employees be excited to talk to customers, friends, or family about the system, and show off what they use every day?
When going through any digital transformation, keep in mind that it is also a business transformation. In order for that to be successful, the new technology needs to enable your users and business to be more effective and efficient. This is your organization’s chance to change things not just for the sake of change, but to make an impact to the way your employees work. Don’t settle for an out-of-the-box solution that isn’t ideal for the way you go to market. Don’t settle for something that you wouldn’t want to show off to your customers. Customize the system to guide your users, to keep your brand well represented, and you will see the gains you hoped to achieve!
Visit our services pages to learn more about what we offer, read our case study to get an idea of what that would mean for your business, and contact us if you want to learn more!