Search is Overrated (UX Best Practices)

By Tom Bowe
VP of Product Marketing and Engineering

I’m a big fan of Google and use it every day…but, I think search is overrated. Need convincing? Here is a test…go to your favorite search engine (mine is Google) and try to find an image of a professional-looking field technician holding a PDA. I did this yesterday…and after 10+ keyword searches and clicking through 100+ pages…you start getting annoyed! I got sick of hitting “Next” and scrolling to the bottom of each page just to hit “Next” over and over again.

How about a simple “F6” keystroke to go to the next page? I have 10 fast and nimble fingers touching the keyboard vs. 1 slow and aching arm holding the mouse. When you find something…you have to move the mouse and click the mouse…then move and click again to see the image full-size. And then, you either “Save As” (move and click) or go “Back” (move and click…click and move) and start all over. See what I mean?

Yes…I think searching for data is much less satisfying than having the data find me. World-class field service management applications should replace basic searching with intelligent routing, filtering and grouping technology so the right information is displayed when you need it and where you want it…without requiring a user to do anything (ok, maybe one click of the mouse, but that’s it). Search needs to be available to users…for research, reporting, a needle in a haystack, etc., but it should be the exception…not the rule. What do you think?