Thesis Archive

Designing user-interface of an ERP System- sales and distribution module considering usability guidelines (2011)

Disraeli E. Medina, Jr.
Romar Jed S. Pamute
Dominique Audry D. Tan.

Abstract:

-It is known that ERP systems are hard to implement and difficult to use for first time users. Two leading ERP sysems were evaluated namely, Microsoft Dynamics Navision and SAP Business One. The “good points” in terms of interface design of the two ERP ssytems will be incorporated to a new ssyem together with some usability guidelines. A usability test was conducted using Morae software to record the test. Test subjects identified were employees who were exposed to manual sales process but have not used any ERP system. The quality level of the current systems (SAP and NAV) in terms of task times, task completion, error rate and satisfaction were computed to help determine the issues. It si found out that most test subjects had a hard time doing the first and last task as the quality levels across the four metrics is low for the current systems. Computing for the Single usability metric of the current systems, NAV scored 1.36 while SAP scored 1.45. After the testing, the most dominant issues in the interface were the tab pane design, placement of objects and labelling. Together with the literatures, a conceptual framework was constructed that will evaluate Accessibility, Navigability, Visibility and L:anguage using usability metrics task times, task completion, error rate and satisfaction. After evaluating the usability of each system, a Single Usability Metric (SUM) was computed for the ease of assessment. Statistica was the software used in computing for the Principal Component Analysis which will produce the weights needed for SUM. In the creation of two new alternative designs, the issues found in the interface of the usability testing were not considered while the good points were integrated. Considering the design alternative, I, an increase in quality level in the first and last task is evident. The quality level in the first task of design alternative I in terms of task time increased from 11% to 65%. In the last task, the quality level increased from 7% to 50%. Considering the quality level of the design alternative I in terms task completion, the first task has an improvement from 20% quality level to 40% quality level. The last task on the other hand improved from 17% to 37%. In terms of error rate, the quality level in the first task improved from 28% to 52%. The last task also increased from 24% to 62%. The SUM of the design alternative I is 1.50/

The quality levels across the different metrics in design alternative 2 further increased as compared to the current systems and design alternative 1. The SUM of the design alternative 2 is 1.60.

Adviser:

Mr. Rolando Polancos
[email protected]