Performing sophisticated functions in a direct manner describes the spirit behind the task-based user interface, one of the features embedded in Oracle's Siebel 8 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) product.
Mark Woollen, Vice President, CRM Product Strategy, Oracle, explained to us how the Siebel 8 task-based user interface differs from the conventional model: "What we've done is we've provided our users with a completely dynamic user interface. If you think about the traditional approach to enterprise application user interfaces, where, really, user interfaces are a one-size-fits-all model, this task-based user interface allows us to provide CRM users with a model that's completely different from that. It's only what you need, in terms of data, and it's provided when you need it." According to Woollen, the interface is designed to accelerate user adoption, even in more complex environments, by offering a step-by-step, straightforward process.
Other features of the Siebel 8 CRM product include new, refined search capabilities and increased web services support, all aimed to provide increased efficiency and flexibility. "In order for companies to remain competitive in the market today, they must have processes in place that enable them to make more informed decisions, respond to the changing needs of their customers and provide a consistent customer experience across all channels," said IDC analyst, Mary Wardley. "With its release of Siebel 8, Oracle responds to these requirements with smoother administration features, a more flexible user-friendly interface, standards-based integration and new enhancements to the Siebel CRM product line."
