Cognetics Corporation

 

THE TROUBLE WITH COMPUTERS

Princeton Jct., NJ (January 15, 1996) -- There is a simple way to improve your bottom line, according to Charles B. Kreitzberg, Ph.D., President of Cognetics Corporation in Princeton Junction, NJ.

"Make computers easier to use and we could improve efficiency from 19% to 720%," says Dr. Kreitzberg. "The typical computer user just wants to be able to do his or her job properly, without wasting time trying to figure out how to use the computer."
According to the new book "The Trouble with Computers", most software designers concern themselves with the problems of the average user.

"Not everyone is an `average user'. If software was more intuitive, we wouldn't be bogged down at work trying to use the computer and could spend more time doing our jobs," Dr. Kreitzberg believes.

Computers have become ingrained in the lives of the majority of Americans. We use them to withdraw cash from bank's money access machines, to buy tokens in the subways, and even to program the VCR. However, computer interfaces get even more complicated when we want to set up a database, navigate a CD-ROM, or create spaces on the World Wide Web.

COMPUTERS IN THE TYPICAL COMPANY
In most businesses, secretaries use computers to write memos; department heads use them to track budgets; and customer service representatives use them to take orders. Companies that want to maintain a competitive edge need to develop interactive technology which is understandable to users of all levels.

For example, an informal analysis conducted by Cognetics Corporation of a brokerage house found that a 10% improvement in computer usability would save the company $78 million, annually. A standard gain of 50% comes from merely cleaning up a company's computer interface. Much bigger gains can be secured through innovations that provide new tools to do work in new ways.

"A good interface designer should be able to close the communications gap between programmers and users. If anyone could easily interact with an application, more people could do their jobs efficiently. Usability should be taken into consideration before software is developed," explains Dr. Kreitzberg.

Charles B. Kreitzberg, Ph.D., the President of Cognetics Corporation, is one of the original pioneers of the Internet's interface. During his 25 years as a usability engineer, he has designed many products that improve human performance and created the "Quality Usability Engineering" (QUE) design methodology. For more information, contact Dr. Kreitzberg at charlie@cognetics.com or visit the company's web space at www: http://www.cognetics.com