About Red Gate Software

At Red Gate we're determined to create exceptional software whilst keeping it simple and easy to use. To achieve this we regularly carry out usability testing with people who match the profile of our users. This could be you, even if you have never used our software before. We invite you to use our software while we observe how we can make it easier to use.

This varies from study to study, but we're usually after SQL developers and DBAs, .NET developers and Exchange Server administrators. We'll talk to you before we arrange anything so we can be sure you'll be comfortable with our software and right for our studies.

A computer with an internet connection.
A telephone we can call you on.
A nice cup of tea (optional).

This will depend on the particular project, but you will not always need the software installed on your computer. Sometimes we will ask you to remote connect to our software or view mock-ups and prototypes, or simply talk about your requirements. For some projects we will ask you to install software which is provided free and can be used for a limited time. We will advise you of this before we arrange anything.

We do not try to sell our products to any participants, nor will we add you to any marketing lists. The purpose of our usability sessions is only to improve the usability of our products.

This is a test of the software not you! We may ask you many questions about how you are interacting with the software but the answers you give will always be right.

We will email you a $50 Amazon voucher (or £50) as soon as the session is complete. If you are able to visit our Cambridge offices, we can pay you in cash and offer you all the smoothies you can drink during the session.

In most cases we are interested in speaking to a wide variety of people and that includes those who have never used our products or even heard of us before. For some sessions we may particularly want to speak to experienced users of our software and we will always make it clear if this is the case.

We arrange all the details with you beforehand, including any software you may need to install and provide a link to our secure login portal. When the session begins, we will ask you to login to the portal to remote connect with us - either to share your screen with us, or to connect to our computer, depending on the project, so that we can observe as you use the software. We will usually discuss certain aspects of your job with you and ask you to perform simple tasks. We ask you to think out loud and tell us exactly what you are thinking as you use the software - whether it's unclear, confusing or straightforward - we want to hear your opinions. After a maximum of 60 minutes, we will conclude our session and thank you for your time with an Amazon voucher, emailed promptly to you.

We use a secure login portal for our remote connections. You can view the security details at www.ntrsupport.com. All personal information including the applications you use are kept 100% confidential and totally within the company on a secure computer - we won't share, distribute or discuss the application with anyone outside of the company. With your permission we would record the session so that we can review it with other members of the project team.

The session itself will take one hour. We also like to briefly speak with you before we make arrangements for the session so that we can find out about your skills and experience and answer any further questions you might have.

All of our remote usability sessions require a telephone call. Although you could use a messenger application to tell us your thoughts, we find verbal communication is key to understanding how users really feel about their experience. Alternatively you can visit our Cambridge office for the session.

We have excellent facilities at our Cambridge Office and will invite you to visit us for a usability session if you are able to attend. The session would follow the same format as our remote sessions but with the advantage of a fridge full of smoothies and fruit nearby. We can also make payment to you in cash if you visit.

Then please contact usability@red-gate.com and we'll be in touch.