Support to SwAF evaluation of two C2-systems for within battalion command and control

Authors:

  • Mirko Thorstensson
  • Jonas Hermelin
  • Per-Anders Oskarsson
  • Dennis Granåsen
  • Pär-Anders Albinsson
  • Peter Nilsson

Publish date: 2020-03-13

Report number: FOI-R--4932--SE

Pages: 180

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • BMS
  • command and control systems
  • SLB
  • SitaWare Frontline

Abstract

FOI has supported the Swedish Armed Forces (SwAF) in an evaluation of usability of two command and control software applications, SLB SW and SitaWare Frontline. Usability evaluations were conducted in three occasions in a laboratory environment with user representatives from the SwAF. The evaluations focused on elementary functionality for platoon and company command and control. Regarding expediency for the applications, both SLB and Frontline appears to have functionality supporting platoon and company level command and control. Regarding experience to use the applications, there seems to be major differences between SLB and Frontline. The results from the evaluations consistently show that the user representatives have a preference for Frontline regarding usability. The user interface of SLB is described as outdated and messy, while the user interface of Frontline is described as modern and logically constructed. The usability evaluation of SLB indicates that the application has several serious deficiencies in user interface and interaction design, with adversely affected usability. The usability evaluation of Frontline indicates few serious deficiencies in user interface and interaction design.