Telematics Applications - European usability support centres
A network of "Usability Support Centres" has been set up across Europe to provide companies with advice on how to ensure that their products and systems offer greater cost effectiveness and meet the needs of the intended users. The centres have been set up as part of three projects supported by the European Commission within the framework of its specific RTD programme in the field of Telematics Applications: - INUSE: Information Engineering Usability Support Centres; - RESPECT: Requirements Engineering and Specification in Telematics; - MEGATAQ: Metrics, guidelines and quality. Studies have found that a major cause of IT system failure is that user requirements are not properly identified at an early stage. The European Usability Support Centres offer training, expert advice and consultancy in this important area. They can also provide a folder of factsheets and a series of technical guides on various aspects of usability.