AccuProcess – Document, Simulate and Improve Business Processes

15 thoughts on “AccuProcess – Document, Simulate and Improve Business Processes”

1. When I first went to the website it had a recording.  Which was okay, every thing seem to be well arrange.  The recording should have started off different as to say welcome and this is what we ate going to be discussioning.

2. What is your first impression when you go to the website? When I first opened the website to the landing page, I am somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of information for me to read, choose and look at.
    
   How easy is to understand what we want to communicate? From my first few minutes on the website, generally browsing around, I am assuming this site to be somewhat of an automated way of putting together a business plan- being able to document all the steps one might put down on paper as they are preparing for the plan to be put into action.
    
   What do you think of our tagline: “Document, Simulate and Improve Business Processes”? I think it’s very fitting after some general browsing to better understand what it is you do.  Like I stated above, I was somewhat overwhelmed initially by the amount of information made available to me on the landing page.
    
   On the website: what would you definitely keep and what would you change? I am not found of videos just popping open with sound when I land on a website.  My first inclination is to just shut down my sound.  Therefore, I would do away with the video on the front page, or at least make it an option to be able to view.    I really like your Introduction page and think it highlights everything the company stands for and offers in a very concise method.  I would try to incorporate that into the landing page somehow.
    
   What do you think of download registration process – is it simple and easy? How can we improve it? The registration was very easy and quick.  Download methods were with clear instruction.    I really did not find anything that really needed improving.
    
   Please share any additional feedback/comments you might have. Again, my initial thoughts are that the landing page is sort of overloaded with a wealth of information.   To me it is very visually overwhelming.  I would like to see the video made as an option rather than automatic.
   I would also like to see your Introduction page somehow incorporated into the landing page to promptly present the information clearly and concisely about who you are and what you do.
   Other than the above, the website has a great look and feel to it.  Very clean with a great layout.

3. What is your first impression when you go to the website?
   My first impression: “What exactly is it?” I had to watch the video before I understood that this is a software program. Your tagline in the upper right and mission statement in the upper left don’t communicate that.
    
   How easy is to understand what we want to communicate?
   It could be easier. I would start by adding the word “software” to your tagline and mission statement. For example, your mission statement might read, “AccuProcess Modeler is visual, easy-to-use business process modeling software…” Then, I would make some changes to the video. Specifically, you should really zoom in on the screenshots as the narrator explains the various features of the software. As it is now, they’re too small to see without maximizing the video window. Finally, while I like that you list your selling points on the homepage and group them by target market, they’re wordy, clunky, and kind of nebulous. “Agility to handle new opportunities”? “Capture process knowledge & rules”? “Simulate customer processes”? These phrases don’t mean anything to me. On the other hand, “Export and share processes in PDF” is something concrete that I can understand. I really think you should rewrite these selling points so that they’re less abstract and focus more on tangible benefits for the user. For example, how about “Easily create drop-and-drag flow charts”? How about “Add notes to each process step”? These are features people can understand and connect with.
    
   What do you think of our tagline: “Document, Simulate and Improve Business Processes”?
   Not really loving your tagline or mission statement. Again, they’re too wordy, clunky, and abstract. They’re not exciting or user-friendly. I think you need to hire a good copywriter to come up with something simple and catchy that communicates the essence of what you do. Maybe something like “AccuProcess: Visual business process software. If you can envision the process, we’ll show you the result.” Obviously, that’s not a great line, but I think it gives you a feel for what a tagline should be.
    
   On the website: what would you definitely keep and what would you change?
   I’ve already covered some of the problems on the homepage. I also want to add a few other points about the video. First, I don’t love that it starts automatically. I think users should be able to choose to watch a video rather than being forced to do so. Second, while the video looks fairly professional from a visual standpoint, it’s clear that the narration is not scripted. There’s a good deal of hemming and hawing that sounds unprofessional. I would make sure your voice actor is reading from a script. Third, if you want to market this to English-speaking audiences, it’s always a good idea to get a native English speaker as your voice actor, preferably one from the main country you hope to target.
    
   One more thing about the homepage: Why is your login at the bottom of the screen? Shouldn’t it be in the top right corner or somewhere else more visible?
    
   When I tried to click on your tabs at the top, nothing happened at first. That’s when I realized that each tab has a drop-down menu, and you have to select one of the pages from the drop-down. I’d create some sort of main hub page for each tab because that’s a little confusing.
    
   I visited the various pages under your Products tab. I started with “Process Modeler,” which I really think you should rename “AccuProcess Software.” Once again, the copy is pretty wordy. I feel like your copywriter sat down with a dictionary and tried to pick out the most erudite vocabulary he/she could find. The result is that the copy is a snooze to read. What I do like about this page, though, is that it links to multiple videos, which provide visual aids for the clunky copy. One more thing you should know: You have a few grammatical errors here and there. For example, in the first sentence under the “Business Challenge” heading, “business users heads” is possessive, so it should read “business users’ heads.”
    
   The same as above applies to your “Features” and “Benefits” pages. I would also add that you need to be consistent with the fonts and colors you use for your headings. Most of the pages under the Products tab have large green headings, but the “Benefits” page has small blue headings.
    
   I like your “Getting Started” page. I’ve never seen that on a website before, and I like that it gives new users an overview of how to begin using your service.
    
   I also like the idea of a “Compare Editions” page, although I find that the chart you have now isn’t very effective. As a new user, I don’t really understand the features you’re referring to. For instance, what is “As-Is and To-Be Process Analysis”? Once again, the terms are too abstract.
    
   The pages under your Customers tab are somewhat less verbose, which is a step in the right direction. It’s also nice that you have a testimonial page (“Success Stories”).
    
   I love that you provide so much support, both through videos and text documents. That’s great. I see a lot of start-ups that only have a bare-bones FAQ section, which is really off-putting. Also, sometimes start-ups only make this kind of help available to customers once they sign up. I like that you offer it right upfront because that way potential users can see that it’s available before they even register. Can I ask what I would do if I needed additional tech support, though? I know you offer a paid version of your software. Who would I contact if I needed help troubleshooting that?
    
   Hmmm…Your ProcessXChange tab doesn’t seem to include any working links.
    
   The pages under your About Us tab are similar to the pages under your Customers tab–still a little formal and wordy but not nearly as bad as the pages under Products. And ah-ha! Here is your Contact Us page. Would really like to see that get its own separate tab on the homepage.
   
   
   What do you think of download registration process – is it simple and easy? How can we improve it?
   This is quite a bit of information you want from me. Since I’m not purchasing anything at this point, I don’t see why I have to tell you what company I work at or what my phone number is or my city of residence. I’d save those questions for the point of purchase.
    
   I also want to say that I love the soft sell approach that you take. I don’t feel like you’re shoving anything in my face, pushing me to open my wallet as fast as possible. I get the sense that this is something I can download and try out, and if it’s a good product, it will sell itself. If I don’t like it that much, I can keep the lite version, and if I do, I can start paying at that point. I have to admit, though…this is very expensive software. A thousand dollars per user? Wow! It’d better be good if I’m going to pay that much for it.
    
   Please share any additional feedback/comments you might have.
   Here’s the bottom line as I see it: Your software looks good. I personally don’t have need of it, but it looks like something that could be very useful to businesspeople. There’s just one problem and that’s how you’re presenting the product. I’ll tell you what my gut feeling is: Even though you say you’re located in Chicago, my sense is that you’re a foreign company and that you hired a copywriter who doesn’t speak English as a first language. Therefore, your copywriter overcompensated by using the most sophisticated vocabulary he/she could find. I think what you should do is hire a copywriter whose native language is English. I can almost guarantee you’ll see a marked improvement in your copy. It will be more concise, more interesting, and more friendly. And that will make the difference between a potential customer who gets tired of slogging through the lengthy sentences and moves on and a potential customer who gets excited about the product, understands its personal benefit for him/her, and signs up.

4. What is your first impression when you go to the website?
   My first impression was that I think that there should be a different narrative voice for the video.  The video was a bit too drawn out.  The video is more for teaching once the software is bought.  A more upbeat video needs to put in its place that is more summarized.  On the other hand I think that it is a great product.
   
   How easy is to understand what we want to communicate?
   I think that it was a bit busy.  A lot to read.  Maybe summarizing would also be the key here and adding FAQs.
   
   What do you think of our tagline: “Document, Simulate and Improve Business Processes”?
   I like the tagline, however, I think that it would be better to eliminate “Business”.  Therefore the tagline would say “Document, Simulate and Improve Processes”.  I think that in the future, the businesses who use this software will probably shorten it to DSI: Document, Simulate and Improve Processes
   
   On the website: what would you definitely keep and what would you change?
   I would definitely keep the video but change it with a different narrative voice and make it more upbeat.  I would shorten a lot of the paragraphs and add FAQs.
   
   What do you think of download registration process – is it simple and easy? How can we improve it?
   The down load registration was easy. No problems.
   
   Please share any additional feedback/comments you might have.
   I think that this is a good and useful software product that a company could definitely use.  I have used Visio in the past and think this is better.  If you change the presentation, shorten the paragraphs and add FAQs, I think you will have a winner.
   

5. $5 awarded to vanity.

6. What is your first impression when you go to the website?

   The honest truth, what is this all about?  Apparently your video will outline the website and what services it will provide for individuals.  The problem I was having, I have no Adobe Flash player at the moment, and can’t figure out how to fix this problem.  If this is a problem that I have encountered odds are others could be having this problem as well.  Because of this issue, I am not a huge fan of using Videos to outline a website.  I still think putting it in writing is always best.  Someone may not only have issue with viewing the video but they may not also have the time, whereas with text, you can go back at any time and read it at your own pace.

   # How easy is to understand what we want to communicate?

   As I said before I couldn’t download the video, however, your categories seem to be pretty easy to understand.

   # What do you think of our tagline: “Document, Simulate and Improve Business Processes”?

   To be honest I’m not too impress with it, for one it’s a bit long for a tagline that is suppose to grab someone.  It didn’t grab me, so will it grab potential customers.  Maybe something that is more personal to the individual you are trying to attract for example: Simplify Your Business Today! or Your Business Made easy! Simple yet tells individuals what you can help them to do.

   # On the website: what would you definitely keep and what would you change?

   Well it goes without saying that I would get rid of the videos, for me not only do they require an individual to have a certain running system, and all issues with their system addressed, but their also not too convenient for those who don’t have time to view them.  I would keep the categories though they seem to be well done and self-explanatory.

   # What do you think of download registration process – is it simple and easy? How can we improve it?

   Your registration process seem easy to understand, although I must admit I didn’t complete the process because your product is one that I don’t need, but you seem to have made the process easy for those who are interested in the product.

   # Please share any additional feedback/comments you might have

   The website does seem well done, you do seem to have a great product that most businesses would want to utilize, but if I had to make any suggestion it would be to do away with the videos.  Seriously, even when I had a flash player that was working, I really found finding videos on websites to be a turn off.  For me it just seems like you are expected to sit there watching videos of someone instructing you on the program, when I would rather read about it myself, maybe even take notes on what I am finding being outlined, this is a little hard to do with a video.  So I had a tendency not to get involved with the website because I didn’t want to sit through a video, and yet it could have been a great product I was missing out on.  I know there are many websites today that utilize videos to try to sell their products, but for me it just doesn’t work as effectively as written text.

    

7. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px; line-height: 22.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica; color: #444444} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px; line-height: 22.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica; color: #444444; min-height: 16.0px} li.li1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px; line-height: 22.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica; color: #444444} span.Apple-tab-span {white-space:pre} ul.ul1 {list-style-type: none} What is your first impression when you go to the website?
   I like the clean navigation and main image area; however, I’m immediately distracted by entirely too many bullet points for your three main areas below.  Also, just as I got my bearings over where I wanted to go next, the auto-playing video distracted me.

   How easy is to understand what we want to communicate?

   I think that your navigation is clear and intuitive; however, your product pages have way too much copy. I’m a project manager and copy editor for a web design/marketing firm, and if you were my client, I would highly suggest simplifying your message.  The purpose of your website should be to entice potential customers to call.  Don’t bombard them with too much information on your site.

   What do you think of our tagline: “Document, Simulate and Improve Business Processes”?
   I think it’s concise, easy-to-understand, and conveys your message clearly. Also, it abstains from some hackneyed cliche; an all to common find for new companies lately.
   
   On the website: what would you definitely keep and what would you change?
   I think the video has merit and purpose; however, it is too disconcerting to have it on the homepage. My surfing habits tend to stay away from sites that automatically load video or music; I find it annoying. Far more practical is that the video is a distraction while new visitors to your site are becoming acclimated, checking out your navigation and homepage copy, and deciding what to read next. The video throws off the ‘introduction” process for visitors to the site.

   I think the design and layout is clean and intuitive – very uncluttered.  Your website’s copy should be more clear, succinct, and could be much more effective (I recommend using a professional copywriter.  Frequently, my clients choose to write their own copy to save money, only to find that their site doesn’t say what they want it to.  The small investment for a professional writer in the early days of your site will pay off in dividends through clear calls to action and information – and ultimately, increased sales.
   I really like your three sections on the homepage: For Business Managers, For Business Analysts, and For Consultants. You identify your target audience and give clear direction for them.  I recommend paring down the bullet points to no more than three; however, as there is simply too much information. The average person spends 3 seconds on a page, and there is simply too much here.
   I like the “Next Steps” sidebar, and also that it carries through the site. The quicklinks make it very easy for people to literally “take the next steps” in the sales process – clear, great use of design, and I think it will be very effective for you.

   What do you think of download registration process – is it simple and easy? How can we improve it?
   It could not be easier. I did not expect a (jquery?) drop down in the sidebar with all necessary fields.  Extremely simple and easy – I couldn’t have suggested anything more user-friendly.

   Please share any additional feedback/comments you might have.
   I like your product, and you have a very versatile site design to complement your product. With more effective copy and messaging, I think your site will be incredibly effective. Good luck!

8. What is your first impression when you go to the website?
   My first impression of the website is that it was a little boring. I like that you had a video but what the site was actually about was not so apparant. The video takes up most of the screen and essentially sits at eye level and doesn’t quit draw my attention to the definiton that you have at the left of the page.
   How easy is to understand what we want to communicate?
   I think that you did an okay job communicating what your site is about.
   What do you think of our tagline: “Document, Simulate and Improve Business Processes”?
   Nice. short sweet and simple.

   On the website: what would you definitely keep and what would you change?
   Keep: I like that it looks that you homepage has a three three stage written view of what your site is about. First starting with the tagline, next the definition at the left of the page and last the three column breakdown at the bottom of the page.
   I like the pictures that you have on the various pages, they are exciting and seem to visually illustrate a business like feel to your site. I would have liked to see something like that on the homepage.
   I like that you have nice, easy drop down tabs that also stay out to the left of the screen giving the user easy access to more information without having to go back to the homepage.

   Change:
   I think that the video needs to be shortened, checked for grammer and he needs to speak more clear. In the begining of the video the person who “who do we begin,” instead of saying how do we begin. I like that you have video but it needs to not give so many examples of what you do but a quick over view.
   I would like to see more color besides orange and blue. I like that you have blue but I would like to see it used in more of bold fashion.
   I also did not understand on the title of one of your tabs, “processsxchange.” Thats looks very wierd and I would definitly consider changing that.
   On the homepage you have the three sections that each accompany a lean more button, they should be right under the column they are for instead of being off to the left of the page in a row. What do you think of download registration process – is it simple and easy? How can we improve it?
   If you really want peole to try your product I would like to see more than one place to click on and download on the front page. I don’t understand why you would need to know my job title or an organization I belong to just to download your product. Other than that I was lead right to the download page. When it say try now is this service: free, a full version and will it have an ending time?
   Please share any additional feedback/comments you might have.
   Being that I had to provide my email addres will I be further contacted with updates from your company? Are people accodomatically sent a link to the latest new download software. As I stated before I really like that pictures that you have on the other pages it would be nice to see the same pictures on the homepage.
     
    

9. What is your first impression when you go to the website?
   My first impression of the home page was information overload. I didn’t know where to begin reading. There was no clear statement that caught my eye that described clearly the service that this site offers. Nothing popped out to grab my attention on the homepage. Your branding didn’t make a statement, the logo was far too small and the overall page was plain and boring.

   How easy is to understand what we want to communicate?
   I first watched the video to try get a grasp of exactly what it is your are trying to get across. First of all I think you need a different narrator for the video who is clearer and easier to understand. It also needs to be shorter, catchier, more professional and simpler. You don’t need to go into the finer details just yet, the video needs to get the customer hooked on the idea first. Once the customers hooked then they will search for the finer details. The products – features page is good for explaining all that detail but first you need something on the home page like a short, sharp video to make people want to learn more and the 4 minute long video the way it currently is isn’t going to achieve this.
    
   I’m able to understand what you are communicating because I have had a good look around your site. But a lot of users wouldn’t spend long enough on the site to be able to fully understand as some people have short attention spans and are easily bored and will simply move on.
    

   What do you think of our tagline: “Document, Simulate and Improve Business Processes”?
   I think your tagline is nice and fits in well with your product and service but why not make it more of a feature. When I first looked at the homepage your tagline didn’t stand out and say read me. Why not place it under your logo so visitors can recognize it as your companies tagline.
    

   On the website: what would you definitely keep and what would you change?
   1. I would keep a video on the homepage but change the current video to a short, vibrant, enticing one instead. I would also add a play now button that allows the user to play the video in their own time rather than it automatically playing and catching the user off guard.
   2. I would keep the logo and tagline but make a greater feature out of them.
   3. I would change some of the design elements like text size, color and font to make certain elements pop out.
   4. I would keep the online tutorials.
   5. I would change the navigation bar and add a home button to it
    

   What do you think of download registration process – is it simple and easy? How can we improve it?
   I think that it’s simple and straightforward and nothing needs to be improved.

   Please share any additional feedback/comments you might have.
   I feel the homepage doesn’t represent your brand, product or service well enough. The home page doesn’t look professional and appealing. This page is like your companies office so it needs to impress at first sight.

10. $5 awarded to greatfeedack4u.

11. $5 awarded to pafjlh.

12. $5 awarded to prwriter2008.

13. What is your first impression when you go to the website?
    My first impression was, “oh boy! this site is going to be rough to understand what they are trying to get across!”
    How easy is to understand what we want to communicate?
    Somewhat easy. I understood the basic concept of the AccuProcess.
     
    What do you think of our tagline: “Document, Simulate and Improve Business Processes”?
    I do not like the tagline. It should be more specific as to how you can improve business processes.
    On the website: what would you definitely keep and what would you change?
     
    I would definitely keep the set up of the website, the info video, etc. I would not change anything on the website. I like the fact that the site has detailed information about AccuProcess.
    What do you think of download registration process – is it simple and easy? How can we improve it?
    It is very simple but I believe that if the address, city and state fields were not required, this would be even better.
    Please share any additional feedback/comments you might have.
    I like the site and your product. I believe that it is a great product to help many businesses.

14.  
    What is your first impression when you go to the website?

    My first impression is that your website looks very much like  a “News” website. I am quite crowded with information, and I don’t really know where to start from. Even worse is the video that is automatically played…. It distracts me from the main body of your homepage, and thus confuses my eyes even more.
    The words “Document, Simulate and Impove business processes” is way too plain and boring… You should have used a more fancy/bigger/more colourful font for this “slogan” and included it nearer to your logo… On the far right side, it does not take much notice, which is bad, as this “slogan” tells me what I can do with your website. You want it to be among the first that visitors’ will see.

    The block containing the text:
     
    <TEXT>

    AccuProcess Modeler is a
    visual, easy-to-use
    business process modeling solution
    for business people to
    document, simulate and improve
    business processes.

    </TEXT>
     
    is not very good, it should be in bullet point. Do you really want to read a piece of text like this? Me, I don’t, I did not even read it in fact… I just copied/pasted it here. Worse is that in your website, you got one space between each lines, which makes it even less attractive. Space is good, but too much space is bad. Simple solution? Use bullet points.

    Example:
    AccuProcess Modeler:

    Virtual and easy to use
    Models business process solution
    Documents, Simulates
    And improves business processes

    Isn’t this better to look at? Change the classic bullet points style to another more interesting one and it’s the way to go!
     
    The bullets points used underneath “For Business Managers”, “For Business Analysts” and “For Consultants” are way too much. You should try to keep the number of bullets to 3 or to a maximum 5. Take out the most similar one and summarise them into one big bullet point.
    Eg: “Gain competitive advantage” can be pretty much mean “Improve productivity and utilization”. So remove them, and put the broader one.

    How easy is to understand what we want to communicate?

    For me, it is quite hard, because I absolutely don’t know anything about business. Though I know the product is supposed to help business people with their businesses.
     

    What do you think of our tagline: “Document, Simulate and Improve Business Processes”?

    As said above, it is not in the right place, and is quite boring…

    Change the font, colour, size and put it near the logo on the left hand side.

    On the website: what would you definitely keep and what would you change?

    KEEP
    + Layout/format
    + Logo
    + Colour scheme
    + Video, though it should be manually played not automatically
    + Drop down buttons
     
    CHANGE
    – Tagline
    – Automation of video
    – Block text on the left of video
    – Bullet points, too many > reduce

    What do you think of download registration process – is it simple and easy? How can we improve it?

    Pretty straight forward, you filled in the fields required, which are pretty basic. Although, some people might want to know why you need to know all these information.

    As such, you might include a “Why do I need this?” link underneath each field.

    Please share any additional feedback/comments you might have.
     
    Good luck with your website! It looks promising and is quite professional looking despite of the faults mentioned above.

    Continue working hard!
     

15. $5 awarded to H_game.

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