I read an article a few weeks ago about the increasing importance of a UX and UI skill set within Silicon Valley. I found this interesting, as Silicon Valley has been generally known for its vast engineering resources, not designers.
This isn’t to say that the low-level technology is any less important. In fact, it has never been more important. The technology needs to be invisible to end users, which is no easy task.
Long gone are the days when week-long training sessions are required to ramp up new users. Consumer technology sector has defined a new standard for user experiences.
How does this apply to enterprise-based applications? Well, the answer is really quite simple: we demand the same simplified user experience in the workplace.
However, the technology front within most organizations is actually quite complex. Typically businesses use several applications—customer management, content management, expense management, human resource management and so-on—to accomplish a number of tasks. This adds a layer of complexity to both the user experience, as well as the low-level technology.
On top of applying the easy-to-use interface of consumer social media tools, tibbr integrates with existing applications in a number of ways. tibbr uses a pull model, where tibbr will reach into the source system and fetch data leveraging the applications exposed API. This can be web service based, SQL, etc. tibbr also uses a push model, where application integrators can leverage the robust RESTful API exposed by the tibbr platform. With both JSON and XML data formats available, application and integration points can be built in varying technologies.
Once the application has been integrated, the integration point is wrapped by a familiar user interface. The data is fed into the user’s wall and rendered as a standard post, which is beneficial as factual data is now being folded into the social conversation enabling quicker consumption of data and problem resolution.
To reiterate, employees shouldn’t have to adapt to new tools; the tools should adapt to how they work. With tibbr leveraged as a platform, you can deliver the correct information, from varying enterprise assets to all employees, both on mobile devices and within the context of other applications. The interesting concept to note here is that tibbr can be embedded into other applications, thus extending the collaboration wall without impeding one’s ability to accomplish their work.
tibbr exposes a number of touch points and really enables a cohesive collaboration experience whether used on the go or within the context of another application.
The above said, I challenge you to look at how you work, how you share information and how you access information locked away in existing enterprise systems. Is it the most efficient way of accomplishing your job?
