Why Enterprise Software Sucks (twitter.com)

Article summary

The article discusses why enterprise software often sucks, using the example of Blackboard, a learning management system that is widely reviled by its users. The author argues that this is because enterprise software is often designed to appeal to the people who make purchasing decisions, rather than the end users. This can result in software that is feature-rich but difficult to use. The article also notes that this problem is not unique to Blackboard and is a common issue in enterprise software.

Main themes

• enterprise software design
• usability vs features
• SaaS and revenue models
• enterprise software bloat
• design for end users
• sales-driven design

What commenters say

• Enterprise software often prioritizes features over usability because it is sold to intermediaries who do not use the software themselves.
• The person who pays for enterprise software is often not the same as the person who uses it, leading to a disconnect between the software's design and the user's needs.
• Some commenters argue that this problem is inherent to the enterprise software model, while others believe that it is possible to design enterprise software that is both feature-rich and user-friendly.
• The rise of SaaS software may help to alleviate this problem by aligning revenue with actual usage and value delivery.
• Enterprise software can become bloated and complicated over time, even if it starts out simple and user-friendly.
• The design of enterprise software is often driven by the needs of the sales team rather than the needs of the users.
• Some companies are able to design software that is both enterprise-ready and user-friendly, but this is not always the case.