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The Dynamic Internet
Maximizing the Usefulness and Usability of Web Applications
WebCommerce Week
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Objectives of Presentation
• Provide high level understanding of – Web applications– Usability concepts– Implementation strategies
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
What is a Web Application?
• A Web site displays text.– Users view Web sites – Client side programming – (HTML, JavaScript)
• A Web application processes data.– Users interact with Web applications
• Input/receive data• Perform calculations
– Powered by business logic– Extensive server side programming
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Benefits of Web Apps
• Cross platform– Not limited to proprietary operating systems and
hardware
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Benefits of Web Apps
• Cross platform• On-the-fly customization
– Traditional apps are compiled, designed to meet requirements of a broad audience
– Web apps can be customized instantly to an individual or segment, offering a much greater 1:1 experience.
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Benefits of Web Apps
• Cross platform• On-the-fly customization• Truly accessible anytime, anywhere
– Wireless Web
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Web App Usability Layers
• Aesthetic• Semantic• Logical• Conceptual
aesthetic
semanticlogical
conceptual
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Web App Usability Layers
• Aesthetic– Branding (enterprise) or
Personalization (individual)– Familiar and engaging
• Does it reflect my world?• Does it make me want to touch it
(meaningful interaction)?– Physical layout easily modified
aesthetic
semanticlogical
conceptual
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Web App Usability Layers
• Aesthetic• Semantic
– Speaks my language?• Literally: can it be translated into
other languages and jargon?• Metaphorically: can it “talk my talk,”
and reflect my culture (corporate, industry, other)?
aesthetic
semanticlogical
conceptual
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Web App Usability Layers
• Aesthetic• Semantic• Logical
– Makes sense to me? – Easy customization of
• Metadata (data about data)• Business Rules• Business Logic
aesthetic
semanticlogical
conceptual
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Web App Usability Layers
• Aesthetic• Semantic• Logical• Conceptual
– Reflects my view of the world? – Relates to who I am and what I do?
• Workflow• Business processes
aesthetic
semanticlogical
conceptual
Building the Useful Web App
Increasing Levels of Complexity
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Three Levels of Implementation
• Dynamic – Data-driven templates for on-the-fly branding,
semantic alignment, layout and system customization.
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Dynamic Interactive
Engaging users into meaningful interaction with data and information using rich media authoring technology
Three Levels of Implementation
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Dynamic InteractiveContextual
Structuring information to provide meaningful and relevant contexts
Three Levels of Implementation
Dynamic Implementation
Designing with Data
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Dynamic Web Apps
• Current “standard”• Templates more flexible than static HTML
– Easier to manage (fewer pages)– More complex logic (server side programming)
• Free from constraints of compiled applications– On-the-fly personalization (one app, many customers,
many interfaces)• Provides control to broader audience of users
– Developer independent• Required for hosted software (XSPs)
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Technologies
• Active Server Pages (ASP)– Moderate skill level (SQL, JavaScript)– Proprietary Microsoft technology
• Java Server Pages (JSP)– Advanced skill level (Java)– Cross Platform
• Cold Fusion– Easiest to use– Cross Platform
Interactive Implementation
Designing with Media
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Interactive Web Apps
• “Emerging” state of the art• Powerfully engages user visually compelling• Complete graphical control over representation of
data• “Game” metaphor for GUI development
– Decreased training cycle– Compatible metaphor for the visually over-stimulated
(kids today, workers tomorrow)• Minimizes browser incompatibility issues
Contextual Implementation
Designing with Knowledge
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Contextual Environments
• The logical evolution of application “usefulness”– Must look at disparate applications as a whole
(enterprise perspective)• Applications are generally “self contained”• No single application does it all
– All applications are part of sequence of tasks or events
– Tasks require additional things like people, best practices, guidelines, drivers and outputs which are not communicated or addressed in traditional application design
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Designing with Knowledge
• Offers a “presentation format” standardized on a process representation that helps people to relate types and roles of information to what they do
• Produces an information platform for binding applications and related data into a highly customized, logical flow or sequence
• Provides powerful, specific business contexts that gives your employees, your customers and your partners instant access to the right applications/ information/people at the right time (task-centric)
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Business Context Benefits
• Training– Precisely share your way of doing things with
employees• Knowledge capture
– Consistently document and merge methods and techniques of high value employees
• Resource management & compensation– Spell out performance expectations, then evaluate
and reward (or discipline) based on usage.
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Business Context Benefits
• Methodology marketing– Clearly illustrate the value of your proven process to
customers• Intellectual asset management
– minimize redundancy across the enterprise by offering sole source repository (digital library) for best practices that can be bound to multiple processes.
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Creating Business Context
• Three Steps:– Build Business Context– Deliver Business Context– Evolve the Enterprise
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Creating Business Context
• Build Business Context– Digitally capture and
refine critical, high value work flows and processes
– Build central repository (digital library) of information assets
– Meaningfully associate inventory with process activities
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Creating Business Context
• Build Business Context• Deliver Business Context
– Provide interface for searching/navigating tasks and retrieving information and applications. (portals, intranets, etc.).
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Creating Business Context
• Build Business Context• Deliver Business Context• Evolve the Enterprise
– Assess and evaluate user actions then refine and improve processes, workflow and information in real time, across the enterprise.
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Conclusion
• The Web is the great equalizer everyone gets an opportunity to tell their story and share their vision
• It’s no longer about eyeballs it’s about doing something that adds value for your:– Business– Customers– Employees– Partners
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Conclusion
• The Web has allowed designers and developers to make huge conceptual leaps in application design and usability
• Strive to maximize “usability”, but demand (and happily settle for) “usefulness”– Incremental improvement better than none
• Listen to your customers, but don’t fear them – Sometimes they don’t realize what they need until
they see it/interact with it– Encourage experimentation
“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.
Questions and more. . .
Learn more at http://www.contextware.com
Contextware, Inc.4216 Evergreen Lane, Suite 111
Annandale, VA 22003 USA800.371.7969