[IxDA Discuss] Thoughts on skinning/customizing enterprise apps?

[Alok Jain]

I have spent last 5 years doing a complete UX framework for a large
organization's Extranet and Intranet including Data Portal, Content
Sites, Tools, Transactional capabilities, Personalized portals etc.
Needless to say, several technologies were used (UX team not involved
in selection process) like WPS, SAP Netweaver etc..

Each one has out of box capabilities which provides different
experience to users. We had to focus on re-skinning the apps, aligning
Interaction Design etc. It adds value in terms of providing a
consistent experience to end users and all other benefits associated
with it. We did balance the needs from experience goals against impact
on support and customization cost.

If it's only one technology, even then I think you should look at what
kind of experience goals you have and then take a call if it is worth
customizing.

Cheers
Alok




>
> On 2 Nov 2006 at 11:04, Wilson, Russell wrote:
>
> > [Please voluntarily trim replies to include only relevant quoted
> > material.]
> >
> > I am often presented with the idea of skinning or
> > providing customizaton for the presentation of our
> > enterprise apps.
> >
> > Any thoughts on the real user benefits/value of this?
> >
> > I ask because I am against doing things "just because we can",
> > and there are many issues to consider - breaking branding and
> > identity, support concerns, etc.
> >
> > If the customization options are trivial (e.g allow users to change
> > the color of window title bars) it would lessen the concerns, but then
> > how beneficial is it really to users?  Is it just another "hey you can
> > also do this" (when in reality they probably never will or don't
> > really care).
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Russ
>
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> ENT Technologies
> Mob: 0412 104 042
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-- 
Best Regards
Alok Jain
----------------------------------------------------------
User Experience Management Solutions
Satyam Computer Services Ltd. - Washington DC