We have noticed changes in some of the UI features. While it is always nice to know that Zoho is always striving to make improvements, it should also be noted that your best intentions" may not be in everyone's best interest.
Reports:
Recently the type font has changed. It used to be that if you ran a report for Sales Orders, grouped and added up the totals, you could clearly read totals at the bottom of the report page. But now, the type font has been changed and it is a grey font on a grey background and it is nearly impossible to read. There are other totals on the report, that by default, are bold and legible. But the Grand Total fonts are impossible. Why did you make this change?
Overall Fonts - Space:
Recently, subtle changes have been make to the fonts , spacing, and contrast, for all models. Now we have more "white space" and the print is harder to read. Why was this change made?
Drop down boxes & pick lists:
Today we noticed the format for drop down box pick lists has changed. In the past a user could scroll a pick list, make a selection. Now you have to manually scan the list with your mouse pointer. A small thing, but this change did definitely NOT make the system easier to use.
Date Time data input change:
- Today we noticed, that on modules with Date and Time input fields, a new pick list format default is hour or half hour designations as a default. It would seem that someone at Zoho assumes their is only 2 designations in the hour - however there are 60 minutes, and for use, exact time input is important. The usercan change the time to any desired time AFTER they scroll, pick and click a time and THEN you have to go back and enter the time. For our small company, this change has just added about 20,000 extra "clicks" per year. . . . and nobody likes that change.
Different - conflicting operational protocols.
Of the last two areas, both are essentially the same data entry function, i.e. you pick and click on the data you want. However, one field, pick lists, does not allow for a mouse scroll, but the date time entry field does. Did different engineers make these two changes and not speak to each other? Why is the data entry protocol different?
I view change as a necessary element of progress, but with CRM systems, the designers need to pay close attention to user preferences, in the interest of ease of use and productivity, instead of the developers "opinion" regarding design and their opinion of eye appeal.
Please address these issues.