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RSSEvening News; Edinburgh (UK)
By Scott Reid Business Editor
AN Edinburgh consultancy involved in testing the usability and accessibility of websites, software and products such as mobile phones is looking to double its turnover to GBP 1 million as it cashes in on the digital revolution.
And business at User Vision is set to receive a further boost after the firm, which was set up six years ago and boasts clients across Europe, this week opened what is believed to be the first "eye-tracking studio" in Scotland.
The city firm said the technology it had acquired would effectively "read the mind" of users by following their eye movements as they interact with a product or website.
Research has shown that around half of internet users abandon web pages with poor navigability or confusing content.
Strategic director and company co-founder Emma Kirk described the system as "non-intrusive" and highlighted the fact that it was fully portable.
She explained: "There is a small panel in front of the user, which is attached to a screen.
"It has infra-red beams built in which the user can't see, but which pick up eye movements."
"By investing in this eye-tracking system, we have the ability to move into new markets and attract new clients."
She added: "Technology can sometimes get in the way of a good user experience.
"I've met people who had bought a fancy new mobile, wanted to make a simple phone call and discovered it was almost impossible to do."
Ms Kirk, one of seven specialists based at User Vision's city centre offices and training facility, said turnover last year came in at just over GBP 500,000 - a figure that the firm is hoping to drive up towards the GBP 1m mark in the current period.
"Bearing in mind this is not a business where we get much passing trade, the growth rate since 2000 has been pretty healthy," added Ms Kirk.
User Vision, a past winner of Scotland's Small Business of the Year in the Parcelforce Worldwide Small Business Awards, has a diverse client base, including PLCs such as Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC, as well as large public sector organisations like Scottish Enterprise.
Managing director Chris Rourke said the eye-tracking system would allow the business to work more effectively with a wider variety of applications and platforms including personal digital assistants (PDAs), interactive TV and video games.
"Eye-tracking takes usability consultancy to another level," he added.
(c) 2006 Evening News; Edinburgh (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
