Framework of User Participation for the Interface Design in the SaaS Layer

Zayra Jaramillo, Miguel Vargas-Lombardo

Research Group in e-Health and SuperComputer (GIses), Research Center for Development, Innovation of Technology Information and Communication (CIDITIC), Panama City, Panama.
Technological University of Panama, Panama City, Panama.

DOI: 10.4236/jsea.2013.65029                

Abstract

The development of software as a service represents a great advantage for the users of cloud computing, such as users of small, medium or large organizations. All these users possess different characteristics, which must be taken into account as reference for the interface development of a software product. This paper considers the element of a user experience model, with the purpose of getting to know the different features that must be taken into account during the development of software as a service. This also involves the participation of different types of users of the SaaS layer model together with the users’ interaction skills level. This paper offers a framework of the involvement actors in the design of a software interface as a service, with the objective of identifying their participation outside and within the organization. The purpose is to create an interface centered on the user, involving clients and experts to work collaboratively; and get usable software as a service application.

Keywords

Cloud Computing; Interaction; Interface; SaaS; User Design; User Experience

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Foster I., et al., “Cloud Computing and Grid Computing 360-Degree Compared,” Grid Computing Environments Workshop, Austin, 12-16 November 2008, pp. 1-10.
[2]	S. K. Garg, S. Versteeg and R. Buyya, “A Framework for Ranking of Cloud Computing Services,” Future Generation Computer Systems, Vol. 29, No. 4, 2012, pp. 1012-1023.
[3]	N. Bevan, “International Standards for HCI,” Encyclopedia of Human Computer Interaction, 2006, p. 362.
[4]	H. Hai and S. Sakoda, “SaaS and Integration Best Practices,” Fujitsu Scientific and Technical Journal, Vol. 45, No. 3, 2009, pp. 257-264.
[5]	M. Hoogvliet, “Saas Interface Design,” Bachelor Thesis, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, 2008.
[6]	B. Shneiderman and C. Plaisant, “Designing the User Interface,” Pearson Education India, Delhi, 2010.
[7]	J. J. Garrett, “The Elements of User Experience: UserCentered Design for the Web and Beyond,” New Riders Pub, 2010.
[8]	C. Weinhardt, A. Anandasivam, B. Blau, N. Borissov, T. Meinl, W. Michalk and J. Stober, “Cloud Computing—A Classification, Business Models, and Research Directions,” Business & Information Systems Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 5, 2009, pp. 391-399. doi:10.1007/s1 2599-009-0071-2
[9]	I. Menken and G. Blokdijk, “SaaS and Web Applications Specialist Level Complete Certification Kit-Software as a Service Study Guide Book and Online Course,” Emereo Pty Ltd., 2009.
[10]	F. Leymann, “Cloud Computing,” IT—Information Technology, Vol. 53, No. 4, 2011, pp. 163-164.
[11]	G. Clair, “Software-as-a-Service (SaaS),” 2008.
[12]	T. Han and K. Sim, “An Ontology-Enhanced Cloud Service Discovery System,” Proceeding of the International Multi-Conference of Engineers and Computer Scientists, Hong Kong, 17-19 March 2010.
[13]	G. Blokdijk, “SaaS 100 Success Secrets—How Companies Successfully Buy, Manage, Host and Deliver Software as a Service (SaaS),” Emereo Pty Ltd., Brisbane, 2008.
[14]	M. Turner, D. Budgen and P. Brereton, “Turning Software into a Service,” Computer, Vol. 36, No. 10, 2003, pp. 38-44. doi:10.1109/MC.2003.1236470
[15]	J. Lopes, “SaaS (Software as a Service)-Models and Infra-Structures,” 2009.
[16]	J. Nielsen, “Usability Engineering,” Morgan Kaufmann, Burlington, 1994.
[17]	A. Cooper, R. Reimann and D. Cronin, “About Face 3: The Essentials of Interaction Design,” Wiley-India, 2007.
[18]	J. Pruitt and T. Adlin, “The Persona Lifecycle: Keeping People in Mind throughout Product Design,” Morgan Kaufmann, Burlington, 2006.
[19]	J. Johnson, “Designing with the Mind in Mind: Simple Guide to Understanding User Interface Design Rules,” Morgan Kaufmann, Burlington, 2010.
[20]	A. Metzger, et al., “Variability Modeling to Support Customization and Deployment of Multi-Tenant-Aware Software as a Service Applications,” Proceedings of the 2009 ICSE Workshop on Principles of Engineering Service Oriented Systems, Washington, 2009, pp. 18-25.
[21]	S. Moritz, “Service Design: Practical Access to an Evolving Field,” M.Sc. Thesis, KISD, Killeen, 2005