The Need for Suitable User Interfaces

Mobile ICT is starting to find its way into public administration. The support of field work such as inspections, which mainly consist in the acquisition and processing of information, is a first approach. But the support of field work requires substantial adaptations of mobile ICT and devices in return, especially with regard to the design of user interfaces of mobile devices and computer applications. On the other hand, the mobile support will cause a shift of work steps from stationary workplaces to field work and will have an impact on documentation and decision-making. Mobility rules out the extensive use of keypads for data entry. This problem has to be solved by technology, for example by automation of working steps, context recognition and alternative methods of entering information like speech or handwriting recognition. Therefore the exact needs have to be analysed today for a systematic development.