Accessibility is more than just a buzzword at Abacus Research AG – it constitutes an important aspect of our corporate culture. We have intensified our efforts in this area since the start of 2022. One of our milestones was the launch of the first web-based, mostly barrier-free time recording system in Switzerland in May 2023. This function, which has been integrated into our employee portal “MyAbacus”, already works very well with standard screen readers and has a positive impact on people with impaired vision.

MyAbacus is a web application that is easily accessible from a browser. We are thus bringing our proven on-premises solutions into the web-era. And what is best about this: we design them to be barrier-free and user-friendly in order to be accessible to everyone.

The AbaSquare mobile app was added to our portfolio in June 2023, bringing corporate communications closer to mobile users. Our vision of an inclusive digital society motivates us to constantly work on improving the accessibility of our products. This begins at the design stage and continues throughout the entire development process.

The challenge is to transfer the findings from the barrier-free web development to the development of mobile apps. This requires not only technical expertise, but also the coordination of different teams and service providers, as well as the alignment to different tools and standards.

Ethical and moral commitment to accessibility at Abacus

Since the publication of Profondia’s “IT Market Report” on 13 July 2023, it has been officially confirmed that Abacus is the number 1 in Switzerland for ERP systems (media release (Link öffnet in einem neuen Tab), German PDF). With over 65,000 customers in Switzerland, we see it as our ethical and moral obligation to offer barrier-free solutions. Our motivation is not purely economic but rather a commitment which we consider to be essential. This leadership position carries with it a special responsibility to positively influence the working lives of many people.

Economic effects of accessibility at Abacus

The decision to invest in accessible software solutions is not only a question of inclusion and ethics, it also has economic benefits. However, these are rather positive consequences of our ethical and moral obligations:

1. Increasing the customer base and ensuring compliance: By providing barrier-free products, we expand our software to a broader user base. In some industries or regions, there are legal requirements for the accessibility of products. By complying with these standards, we minimise legal risks and broaden our potential market.
2. Competitive advantage: The ability to offer barrier-free products potentially gives us a competitive advantage. It strengthens our brand image and demonstrates our commitment to social responsibility.
3. Promoting innovation: Working on accessibility often encourages innovation and creativity among the development team. Finding solutions to accessibility challenges can lead to new ideas and approaches that improve overall product quality.
4. Cost efficiency in the long term: Although the development of accessible products might require initial investment, it can prove to be cost effective in the long run. Incorporating accessibility considerations from the outset can avoid expensive improvements and facilitate product maintenance.

Investing in accessibility enables us to reach more people and strengthen our brand, which is ultimately also strategically beneficial for the company.

Tools and technologies for the development of barrier-free apps at Abacus

The development of barrier-free apps is a complex process that requires specific knowledge and tools. At Abacus, we are determined to continue on this path and make the necessary investments to ensure that our products are accessible to all.

1. Flutter Framework: Among other things, we use Flutter (Link öffnet in einem neuen Tab),
   an open-source UI software development toolkit developed by Google. It provides specific widgets and accessibility best practices that make it easier for us to develop apps that are accessible to all.
2. Automated tests: The use of automated testing tools developed specifically for mobile platforms enables us to continuously check the accessibility of our apps. As an example, we use the “Accessibility Scanner” tool developed by Google to analyse interface elements in our apps. It determines if texts have sufficient contrast, if touch elements are large enough and if content can be read correctly with screen readers. These automated tests are an essential part of our development process and ensure that our apps comply with accessibility standards.
3. User-centred design: We focus on user-centred design and work closely with people with various disabilities to make sure that our apps meet their needs. This includes regular usability tests and feedback loops with real users.
4. WCAG conformance: We endeavour to ensure that our apps comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards. Although these guidelines were originally developed for web content, we also apply them to our mobile apps. This approach guarantees that we offer a consistent and high-quality experience for all users.
5. Continuous training and further education: Our team regularly attends training courses and workshops to keep up to date with the latest technology in terms of mobile accessibility. As a result, we can ensure that we are using the best technologies and methods to achieve our vision of an inclusive digital society.

The best way to make an app barrier-free is through testing. It requires meticulous testing of every function and component. This can be time consuming, but it is essential if we are to make sure that the product we create is barrier-free and truly inclusive. Our aim is not just to design products, but to create positive experiences.

David Mitgutsch, Lead UX Designer, Abacus Research AG

Specific measures for greater accessibility within the AbaSquare app

Having outlined the tools and technologies for developing accessible apps here at Abacus, we would now like to present the specific measures implemented in the development of the AbaSquare app:

1. Adjustable font size and contrast: In the AbaSquare app we use the “Inter” font family for best readability with the option of adjusting the font size.
2. Clear text blocks for screen readers: We deliberately keep all text blocks short and precise to enable optimal integration in screen readers such as VoiceOver or TalkBack.
3. User-friendly buttons: The buttons in the app are deliberately large to make it easier for people with motor impairments to use.
4. Reduced animations: We have minimised animations to make the app accessible to people with light-sensitive epilepsy or motion sensitivity.

According to Selina Ramelli, the UX designer responsible for AbaSquare: “When designing the AbaSquare app, we prioritised accessibility right from the start. In close coordination with the development department, we are continuously working towards minimising technological barriers.“

By taking these specific measures, we are extending the basic principles of accessibility and striving to make the AbaSquare app more accessible for all users.

Towards a more inclusive digital world

It is our vision of an inclusive digital society that drives us towards mastering the complex challenges of barrier-free app development. “Accessibility is not just a feature we simply add. It’s a mindset that permeates our entire development process,” says Inesa Halilovic, Software Development Engineer at Abacus Research AG.

We are constantly expanding our efforts through active cooperation with specialist organisations such as Obvita and Pro Infirmis as well as the “Access for All” foundation. These partnerships enable us to develop sound data collection methods and to continuously measure the success of our efforts.

Ongoing improvement and customisation are key to developing products that are accessible to all.

About the authors

David Mitgutsch, Lead UX Designer at Abacus Research AG, is responsible for all UX-related topics. His focus is on the MyAbacus product, for which he uses his expertise to make the software more user-friendly and accessible.

Alexander Vetter, CTO at Abacus Research AG, brings in his extensive experience to shape the technological direction of the company. He has in-depth knowledge of the requirements of sales partners and their customers and is in charge of making Abacus software solutions accessible.