interesting development at SaaS CRM vendor Entellium - they're discontinuing their browser-based product in favor of a smart client. an analysis of the rate at which their clients closed business with their application demonstrated better effectiveness with the smart client - a finding subscribed in part to better UI capabilities in the client than would be possible with a browser-based app.
i happen to agree with this direction. and one wonders what happened with SAP's Project Muse, an initiative that recognized the shortcomings of the browser UI-wise, and at the same time recognized the incontrovertible advantages of connectivity such as collaboration and portability.
in a post about this move, Phil Wainewright also speaks of a focus on results as a differentiating feature of Entellium's product:
"The entire user experience is built around the core premise of 'How should I spend my time most profitably?' For example, a new analytics module lets users compare key metrics to industry benchmarks to help decide where they most need to focus attention."
this can just as easily apply to an HCM product, like SAP's. E.g. if a learning administrator faces an overload, where will her time be spent to greater effect in the context of her organization's learning strategy: in scheduling the next month's courses, in managing course enrollments for employees with upcoming course expiration dates or in taking care of the frustrated employees waitlisted for more than a month on a populare new course. adding industry benchmark data would be even better.
better UIs allow for better implementation of business processes, which should incorporate metrics where relevant to improve them further. i'd rather try that in a smart client, distribution and maintenance disadvantages or not.
i'm now interested in Entellium - this just seems smart.
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