CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
15 October 2007
Product News
IFS Launches Aurora User Interface and Introduces New Application Age
IFS at its World Conference in Berlin, Germany, announced Aurora, an innovative enterprise application user experience designed to adapt to users' needs and ways of working. A new ergonomic design, embedded enterprise application search and integrated rich media will improve user interaction with IFS Applications, significantly improving productivity. The Aurora user interface will be made available in 2008 as an add-on to IFS Applications 7.5.
The technology is the result of IFS' long-term focus on usability and productivity. Design and ergonomics are the key to increasing usability, which is essential in getting more from an enterprise software system.
"The bland look, feel and function of enterprise applications in the workplace is no longer acceptable," IFS Chief Technology Officer Dan Matthews said. "The developments seen in the consumer sector mean that design in enterprise software is now more important than ever. Employees want the same usability they have in the latest cell phones, iPods and on the web, available to them in the office. Aurora delivers an intuitive interface that engages the user and allows them to work on their own terms.
"Sweden is famous for its design, modern lines and high functionality; this heritage is clearly visible in Aurora. The design focuses on the task to be carried out and less on superfluous tools surrounding it. The workspace now adapts to the many different sizes of flat panel displays. Aurora ensures IFS Applications can leverage the screen real estate on an engineer's 30-inch screen, while also fitting into 12-inch ultra-portable laptops used out in the field.
"Independent studies show that 'difficulty to search for and find information' and 'poor navigation around and between applications' are among the top time wasters when using enterprise software. Aurora addresses both of these with innovative solutions. By embedding enterprise application search functionality into the business system itself, the search algorithms can take into account all the nuances of the data held in the application and deliver truly relevant results. Key information is found quicker and easier as a result."
Aurora is a Rich Internet Application; web deployed using .Net and service-oriented architecture (SOA) technology. The interface uses a range of new navigation technologies such as adaptable link pages, contextual breadcrumb navigation, and visual recent screens. These combine to deliver a customizable working environment that encourages user collaboration. The interface also includes rich media notes, in-application document viewing for common file types such as PDF and Word and the ability to integrate web content into the work.
Aurora's design has been developed using feedback from users in many different industries. This has enabled IFS to refine new innovations following field-testing with key IFS customers. The rollout of Aurora to IFS customers will start in March 2008, with wider rollout later in the year.
More details can be found at http://www.ifsworld.com/ .
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