Re:Ask HN: Resources on how to build internal/enterprise tools?
by LarryMade2 on Saturday September 10, 2016 @09:53PM
(#12471704)
Another big thing on internal/enterprise apps is access and administrative tools. As a lot of people are working on your data some only have limited program access, or access to only certain datasets... also others can check on activity of how the data is entered/accessed/updated, might also be some sort of job logging going on.
Make entry as easy as possible text entry for times & dates - with a tooltip calendar, (unnecessary pop-up lists are a pain for anything when entering bunches of records.) Consider using chekboxes and radio lists for selection over popuplists sometimes they provide visual cues easier then reading or expanding a popup.
Reduce complex multi-table entry forms to one screen, same with displaying data... Make it so in reports where you might need to correct entry staff can click right to record edit instead of having to back out, etc.
Try to make every bit of data collected usable, don't just have a "office hours" field have a schedule entry so you can draw on the data - down the road someone will say, I saw you collect X, can we use that to do Y? Be prepared to say "no problem."