We (IBM’s Software Group) are doing a survey of user perceptions of the “consumability” of our products. “What is consumability?” you might well ask. It is a new word for an old idea. It describes the end-to-end customer experience, the consistency and cohesion of our products and solutions, from acquisition, prototyping, through integration, deployment, maintenance and upgrade. The idea is ancient. Vitruvius, in De Architectura wrote of Firmess, Commodity and Delight (firmitas, utilitas and venustas) as the ideals of a building. Commodity here used in the sense of commodius or serviceable, convenient, well-adapted to its purpose, etc. I think that “consumability” is the modern buzzword for that ancient architectural virtue.
But I digress.
If you use IBM products, and can spare 20-30 minutes to take an online survey you first-hand experiences with software consumability, then I encourage you to head over to this page, and share your thoughts. The survey is available in 10 languages (English, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese, German, Spanish, French, and Italian).
I’m told that earlier forms of this survey resulted in 1400 product suggestions, 900 of which are reflected in currently shipping products. So this is good way to get your opinion heard and acted on.
Thanks!
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