The terms ‘user-friendly’ and ‘usable’ appear frequently in software requirements workshops and functional specifications, but what does usability actually mean in practice? Commonly used definitions of usability are: ‘The ease with which people can employ a particular tool in order to achieve a particular goal’ and ‘The degree to which a software application can be used with no specific training.’

We could also add the Five Es of usability characteristics: solutions must be

1. Effective
2. Efficient
3. Engaging
4. Error Tolerant and
5. Easy to Learn.

So who cares about usability? For your business to realise significant efficiency and data quality benefits from a field solution, usability from the field worker’s perspective is absolutely crucial. The field workers themselves have to enjoy the benefits of the solution, not just the business. Usability is vital to this.

At Sigma Seven, usability is one of the key areas of focus throughout the delivery of a GeoField solution. Because it is essential for the solution to meet both the functional and usability requirements of your field crews’ daily work and specific operating environments, we recommend that customers involve their field workers at the earliest possible stage of a mobile evaluation right through to the final product selection process. To aid usability, our engineers get out in the field with our customers and experience their field working constraints and conditions first hand.

Once the usability requirements are understood, there are a number of areas for usability focus, not just the software solution. In software terms, the presentation of a clear and simple set of tools, and the speed with which these functions deliver results to the user, regardless of internet access, are all key.

In hardware terms, the size of the screen, its visibility in direct sunlight, and the capability to be battery-powered for a full working day are fundamental. Having a device that is light and comfortable to use, and integrates well with the other tools that field workers rely on also matters in terms of usability.

So when it comes to the delivery of a field solution, it is essential to focus on the usability of the entire solution from the field worker’s view. Otherwise the device is likely to remain in the back of the van.