Interact: Human-Computer Interaction Consultancy

Interact provides services in the following areas:

Evaluation of existing or new technologies for incorporation into business process.

Analysis and definition of 'end user requirements' for new technology solutions.

Specification of technology solutions to meet customer requirements.

Design and prototyping of 'user interface' software for new and existing applications.

Production of supporting texts such as on-line help or manuals.

Designing and developing Web sites: corporate; commercial; and personal.

Carrying out complete "makeovers" of existing web sites through requirements and usability analyses, optimising information architecture.

Provision of domain names and web site hosting - with top ranking hosting services in both the USA and the UK. Domain name lookup.

Web site placement and ranking with all major search engines

Project management of technology or service implementations.

Graphic design, photography and digital image manipulation.

Designing for Effective Technology with Interact

Interact addresses the end-user aspects of interactive technologies - the Human Factors. The "human-centred" engineering approach adopted by Interact provides a sound basis for establishing clear requirements, developing appropriate specifications, and implementing effective technical solutions.

What does this all mean?

Many computer-based applications fail because they do not address the requirements of the end users and are not designed with regard to the Human Factors principles of "usability." For example, if a web site is difficult to navigate or information and products are hard to locate then potential customers will go elsewhere.

Interact uses an iterative design and development process which makes the customer, and representive users part of the design team. Through the use of prototypes and mock-ups in the design and development process, the delivered product is a polished technical solution which exhibits ease of use, good performance and customer/user satisfaction.

Good interface design has always been important, however it is now central to the success of any computer-based system design. Users have a low tolerance of poor interface design when there are so many competing products, whether those products are web sites, databases, or even mobile phones.

Interact unlocks the potential of the Internet

A large proportion of employees work in companies with an Internet presence. While larger companies have led this revolution, smaller companies are now being innovative in exploiting the potential of Internet for business benefit. The global electronic marketplace, supported mainly by the Internet, is rapidly becoming a vehicle for small company marketing, trading, and business communication.

Most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) provide a package including EMail and a Web space allocation. This can be used to host a Web Site for your company, or a separate web site can be hosted by specialist commercial companies who may be better at attracting attention to your site.

Interact can provide web site hosting from one of the top five hosting companies in the USA and the UK.

Your web site can be used as a first step into electronic publishing, and can be used for Marketing and Advertising your company to anyone searching for information, services or products. Ensuring that your site is properly indexed by search engines, and included in any relevant directories is important. Interact can provide a service to register your site in a way that will ensure that it is prominent in search engine hits.

Your web site can also be used for customer contact, and can include forms and other devices for Customer Feedback and Enquiries. Web sites can also be upgraded for Electronic Trading allowing customers the option of On-Line Purchase and organisation of delivery, or booking of services remotely.

What will an Internet presence do for commerce ?

Figures for electronic commerce show a low percentage of the total European spend being via electronic commerce (EITO'98). This figure is much higher for commerce in the USA. All growth predictions are upward and becoming part of the electronic marketplace is easy and cheap, at least at the basic level.

Development of a larger presence can be implemented progressively to allow careful consideration of both costs and benefits at each stage.

Benefits of using Interact for the Internet

Web sites developed or redesigned using sound Human Factors principles with an emphasis on usability and appropriate information architecture.

Targetted marketing to the growing number of Internet users (customers / suppliers).

Massive cost savings in advertising and marketing. Advertising copy can be edited on computer and put on the web instantly. No proofs, print runs, postage, etc.

Details of product and service changes can be communicated instantly, as can special offers and sales campaigns.

People who see your material can respond immediately via EMail, so sales leads do not go cold.

Appropriate insertion of your site details in search engines and specialist trade directories ensures maximum exposure to an already interested audience - no wasted marketing.

Having a presence on the Internet can be used to 'test the water' for minimal cost, or can be used for a planned and aggressive launch into electronic commerce.

Becoming an Interact Client

Interact has a select range of clients. If you would like to know more and join our list of satisfied customers please contact us. Interact clients are provided with a user name and a password for access to their own areas of this website. We look forward to hearing from you