Facilities
The Design and Usability Center offers one of the most sophisticated testing facilities in the United States. The center's two state-of-the-art testing labs are ideal for usability testing, focus groups, and design workshops. We can accommodate hardware products as well as software products with equal ease.
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Our three-room testing suite is designed to accommodate focus groups, as well as individual and multi-user evaluation sessions. Our two-room testing lab has one workstation and is designed to accommodate one-on-one sessions. |
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Observing and recording the sessions
Both testing labs have one-way mirrors through which clients can observe test sessions. The labs also have multiple remotely-controlled video cameras that allow us to record the user's actions and remarks. Typically, one camera is focused on the user and allows us to capture the user's facial expressions, body language, and comments. We then show this image as a picture-in-picture on the direct feed from the computer monitor showing the product being tested.
Technical setup
In both evaluation rooms, each workstation has T3 Internet access. For proprietary products and added security, a dedicated network may be set up complete with a private server. A network technician is on call to assist with more complex configurations. The large lab also has two dial-out lines for testing that requires telephone access.
The audio-visual components
The audio-visual components of the labs were designed by a team of audio, lighting and acoustical engineers to ensure the highest quality recording of the test. Our advanced telecommunications network allows us to feed tests live to videoconferencing facilities throughout the country. Further, the lab's network is designed to allow clients to install their own server to preserve the security of products still under development.
Away from the center
For those that are unable to travel to Bentley we offer live streaming of test sessions and focus groups via the web. This allows clients to observe studies remotely. Likewise, for test participants that are unable to travel to Bentley we offer remote usability testing through the use of web conferencing tools. This allows us to moderate sessions with participants in any part of the world.
The Center also employs software tools such as Camtasia(TM) and Morae(TM), which are specially designed to capture test sessions digitally when is it not convenient to use the laboratory such as testing on site or at a participant's home.
Video Highlights
We offer post-production video editing for clients who want video highlights to support their test findings. We can deliver the highlights as individual clips embedded in our report or as a fully produced highlight tape with voice-overs, transitions, and titles.
