Web usability agency PRWD have helped launch the new usability testing laboratory at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).
PRWD were the first company to use the facility for a commercial usability testing project, and were subsequently asked to help officially launch the facilities and speak at the launch event on Wednesday 24th November 2010.
Head of Usability Paul Rouke commented: “The launch of MMU’s user testing facility in the heart of Manchester is excellent news for PRWD and for North West based businesses. We have tended to carry out usability testing projects in London due to the range of test facilities available, but now with the first commercially available laboratory in Manchester we expect to be carrying out more projects right on our doorstep.”
“The facilities available at MMU are of the highest quality, and its fantastic news for us and our clients that we have access to a range of cutting edge observation and analysis tools. I firmly believe that as companies, particularly retailers, focus more efforts and budget on usability and customer experience, facilities such as these at MMU will be more sought after.”
The laboratory is perfectly placed to support the design, development and assessment of a wide range software and hardware. It can support focus group based design, full user experience and usability analysis, eye tracking and user-centred design processes.
Louise Richards, Head of Division of Digital Media & Entertainment Technology at MMU, commented: “PRWD are highly respected usability and user experience experts with a portfolio of household names as clients. They are natural partners for MMU and we have been only too pleased to develop our collaborations in evaluation, testing and research.”
Louise continued: “MMU has a fantastic user experience facility with the very best equipment which benefits our students and staff directly through industry relevant teaching and research. We provide academic expertise, insight and objectivity for a variety of evaluations, both simple and complex, and through commercial partners such as PRWD we are highly attuned to industry priorities.”
The launch event for the usability laboratory was a huge success, with over 60 people attending from a wide range of industries and disciplines.
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For more information about usability testing services, contact:
Paul Rouke at PRWD
Tel: 0161 228 0585
Email: paulrouke@prwd.co.uk
For more information about MMU’s usability laboratory please contact:
Louise Richards
Tel: 0161 247 1668
Email: usabilitylab@mmu.ac.uk
