Specializing in productivity software — websites as well as Windows applications — for the business environment, Productivity Through Technology, Inc.® provides a variety of services. Located in rural Oregon, our clients include some of the largest corporations and commercial software developers in the country, as well as smaller corporations, startups, VARs, and system integrators. Take a look at our office and our hardware/software capabilities here.

GUI and YAUI

When we speak of GUI, we typically think of Windows applications, but remember, the Web is YAUI — Yet Another User Interface. The principles of design and usability are universal and apply to both "platforms."

Traditionally, most development time is spent on designing and coding the back-end; unfortunately, the front-end receives relatively little attention. In best practices, the user interface must be considered at the beginning of any project and designed with the user in mind. It should be fine-tuned until its use becomes obvious and smooth-flowing. (An interface can be full-featured and not cluttered.) We create user interfaces "from the ground up" as well as improve the design and usability of screens already created.

You will never find us using the word intuitive.There is nothing intuitive about computers or user interfaces. It is all learned! Now, a GUI might seem to be "intuitive" if it is based on something we previously learned. In this instance, we use the word obvious. An example of this might be the generally used icon for "new." It doesn't matter if it's a new picture, new database, or new word processing document. We generalize from the first instance of learning what the icon means.

Along with obvious, we also talk about discoverable. An example of this is the little yellow popup information box commonly found in Windows applications (and now in websites) — the ToolTip or ScreenTip.)

These concepts are embodied in our motto which appears at the top of each page. It took years of thinking about it, but we finally distilled the essence of user interface design down to a couple of axioms and corollaries which are presented as one of the GUI Goodies.

Since training is so much a part of our work, we take a teaching approach to our consulting. Of course, we can always just "do the work." However, if time and budgets allow, we like to mentor and teach as we go. Any consultant should be able to explain why and should also justify the change. That way, your development team learns and is enabled.

Usability Consulting

All user interfaces can benefit from usability and design inspections. Using these methodical reviews of the user interface, an expert appraiser with fresh eyes can exercise the interface in new and different ways--doing things that the developers never anticipated--and seeing things that others can't.

Websites (both Internet and Intranet) do not have the same design constraints as Windows applications. However, freedom from restrictions frequently leads to overdone, excessively graphical, overanimated, unusable designs. Thankfully, with today's high level programming environments, many recommended changes in the user interface (fonts, colors, layout) can be accomplished without the need for extensive re-testing and debugging. The return on investment is high.

Heuristic methods are used. Deliverables consist of text reports, annotated screen shots, and/or alternative prototypes.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is an effective tool when the sessions are facilitated by someone experienced in the process and willing to work with the participants to get them to share their knowledge of the subject at hand. Egos are a hindrance and must be left at the door. Humor is a lubricant and icebreaker. Thinking "outside of the box" is our strength.

Prototypes

Prototypes and proofs-of-concept are important steps in defining the user interface, user interaction model, and, in fact, the entire user experience prior to committing to production code. Working from requirements, sketches from brainstorming, and even paper napkins, we create prototypes as executables using Visio, HTML, JavaScript, Visual Basic, and other tools.

Part of the prototyping process is flowcharting. Not programmatic flowcharting (although that is sometimes necessary to understand the user experience) but user interaction flowcharting. We believe strongly that if you cannot diagram a process, then you don't understand it.

Demo Review

Many demos have actually scuttled sales! In an effort to demonstrate every conceivable thing a program or tool can do, demo screens are frequently rendered unreadable due to clutter and inappropriate use of colors, fonts, and 3D effects. A good demo should be designed with the same criteria as a good application.

As with Usability Inspections, Demo Review deliverables consist of text reports, annotated screen shots, and/or alternative prototypes.

Seminars & Tutorials

Tutorials in Graphical User Interface Design and Usability are offered as part of national conferences and in-house training. There are two classes, one that emphasizes Windows applications, and one that emphasizes websites. Each can be accompanied by a Master Class Workshop.

Master Classes — interactive workshops where developers have the opportunity to have their user interface designs critiqued in real time, are available for both conferences and in — house sessions.

More information can be found in the Training section of this site.

Customized training tailored to the needs of the client is also available. Information is available on request.

How to Reach Us

If you're interested in any of our services and how we can help you and your organization, just email us or call us at 541-535-6774 (M-F: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM PST) .