Easiness and Simplicity

Let's look at the most popular systems people use. They are the ones they learn quickly. And they are the only ones with global adoption. A bit of complexity can be added over years if it is smart to use and get a lot of value. But if not intuitive for the user, we can forget it. Software and electronic developers have added functionality in big amounts to everything from washing machines to televisions. We probably only use a minor subset if we use it at all. My video tape recorder died in complexity. I simply gave up to learn and remember the steps forward and the menu.

Business systems have the exact same problem. They are meant for professional people but as the demand for integrated business increases so does the demand for more people to use the systems - and they fall short. People cannot adobt to yet another concept, yet another philosophy.  If it does not work like my regular computer interface, like my Excel, like my browser, like my card game, or my car, then I am not adopting. I can be forced to learn - but thereby the adoption becomes slow.

Games on computers have given a lot of people a lot of functionality through an internal simplicity which might seem strange in the beginning but which gets useful after all. Blizzard made WOW, 8-9 mio people use that every day. It is not structured the way grown up people would assume, and it does nok look like any business application. Kids learn it easily. It is robust like the cell phone. Few standard concepts all over and you are on. Intuitively you know how to operate the next sequence. Click the picture, See the short note or menu, and you know what to do.  

At the Nurnberg Messe in 2008 the handheld devices for operating cars, helicopters, tanks and model trains were beyond any imagination in complexity. In 3 years they are out. They will be for few enthusiasts only who cannot get enough buttons.  All of us will resume to our cell phones and Wii's.

Simplicity is a must, otherwise it will not be adopted.