Netkraft, NID tie up for Web usability research

BANGALORE: Netkraft Private Ltd. has entered into an

agreement with the National Institute of Design for setting up a Web Usability

Research Lab at the premises of NID, Ahmedabad. Speaking on the occasion,

Netkraft president and CEO Prashant Prakash said, "We will provide high

quality infrastructure for Internet access to facilitate advanced Web usability

research. Our vision is to go beyond e-commerce and to focus more on user

experience."

The lab will facilitate students from various disciplines to

undertake research projects in the area of Web user experience and interactive

design. Prakash said, "The area of focus would be Web usability through the

process of Web analysis and research to keep track of emerging trends and

innovations in the field of user experiences."

NID executive director Darley O Koshy said, "With

connectivity being crucial in the digital economy, designing aspects pose a big

challenge. We need concerted effort to look into these aspects and more research

is needed in this area. NID and Netkraft will explore various methods for

strengthening the educational and research linkages between the two

organizations that will be mutually beneficial." He said that NID would

periodically identify and involve its students and faculty members to use the

lab for structured research activities to expand the knowledge base.

NID chairman Prof. M P Ranjan said that the partnership will

be in three areas, technology, design and management. He said initially, the lab

will take in 25 software professionals as students. Darley O Koshy said that NID

also plans to set up a Digital New Media and Design Center in Bangalore.