information architecture - Improving speed of data entry in a single page calculator form

I've been asked to try and improve a one page calculator form. It is used by telesales people to work out what sort of deal they can offer to a customer and how much commission (called LTR) they stand to make off this particular deal. This is what the current setup looks like:

The two limitations I have are that whatever I come up with has to still be a single page form (users have widescreen monitors in portrait orientation so I have a lot of vertical space to play with) and all of the fields are needed so I can't take anything out.

The main improvement that management are after is an increase in input speed.

So far the only things I can come up with are:

• Make sure the tab order is correct to let users quickly tab through


• Potentially break out the 'add terminal' button into a separate tabbed area



• If there is scrolling, fix the right table so it scrolls with the screen

Are there any other obvious improvements that I am missing here?

Answer

Profile your current usage. Find out what fields are most commonly used, and group them together, or at least float them to the tops of their sections.

For example, do you really require the user to select UK at the start of every call? Is that something you might change for only 5% of your calls? Can you move it down, or out of the way, so most calls don't start with a useless tab?

Do your callers follow a script? Does your form match your script, or does it jump around? Can you optimize your script?

Take a look at a profiling product like CrazyEgg. It will track how people use your page.

Here's a patentable idea: use your profile data to add a "pace bunny", like at the dog track. As the time ticks down during the call, have the background of the form gradually sweep down as a red gradient, showing which field they should be if their timing is on pace. It's a visual motivation that they may be wasting time on a no-commission call.

Consider adding dynamic script hints based on the field they're entering. It will help new hires come up to speed faster.