How Appian makes user interfaces simple and powerful for your business

I like to imagine building business apps that my team actually enjoys using no manuals, no headaches, and definitely no need for a team of coding pros.

Fortunately I don’t have to, because that’s exactly what Appian makes possible. Appian is a low-code platform that lets you create slick, user-friendly interfaces for your employees, customers, or external partners. It plays nicely with the tools you already have and helps your work flow smoother and faster.

There are four main ways to deliver these experiences: Tempo, Sites, Portals, and Embedded Interfaces. Each one is designed for a different kind of need. We’re breaking it down in a way that actually makes sense—what each option does, when it fits, and how it can improve your process. Let’s me explain how Appian can make your apps smarter, faster, and way easier to build.

Tempo: your all-in-one Hub

Think of Tempo as the default dashboard that comes with Appian, ready to use right out of the box. It’s like the central hub of a busy office, where your team can access tasks, explore data, run reports, and even collaborate through a social-style news feed. Tempo is designed for internal users who need a broad view of what’s happening across your business process. For example, picture a team managing expense approvals. With Tempo, they can see their assigned tasks, check related data like expense records, generate reports on spending trends, and post updates to keep everyone in the loop all from one place. It’s fully responsive, meaning it looks great on a laptop or a phone, and requires no setup effort, so you’re up and running instantly.

What makes Tempo shine is its versatility and collaboration features. The news feed lets teams share updates or discuss specific records, fostering teamwork without the need for endless email threads. For a business, this means faster decision-making and better alignment across departments. It’s perfect when you want a comprehensive, no-fuss interface that brings everything together, saving time and reducing the need for custom development. Plus, since it’s secure and tied to Appian user accounts, your data stays protected while your team stays productive.

Embedded interfaces: blending into your ecosystem

Sometimes, you want Appian’s functionality to feel like part of another website, like your company’s intranet or a third-party app. Embedded Interfaces make this possible by letting you integrate Appian’s interfaces directly into external platforms. Imagine an employee portal hosted on SharePoint where your team can submit expense reports without leaving the portal’s navigation. The Appian interface blends in, matching the host site’s styling and branding for a seamless experience. It’s like embedding a piece of Appian’s magic into your existing digital environment, so users don’t even realize they’re interacting with a separate system.

The value of Embedded Interfaces lies in their ability to meet users where they already are. They require a bit more setup, including authentication like single sign-on to keep things secure, but the payoff is a unified experience that reduces context-switching for your team. For your business, this means higher adoption rates, as users can access Appian functionality without learning a new platform. It also strengthens integration with your broader tech stack, ensuring your investments in existing systems work harder. By embedding Appian’s power into familiar environments, you boost efficiency and user satisfaction. 

Sites: focused and branded experiences

Sometimes, the complete scope of Tempo isn't needed - a streamlined interface focused on specific tasks will do. That's where Sites come in. Appian Sites allow custom-branded, simplified interfaces tailored to particular roles and processes. Imagine a procurement team only needing to approve purchase orders and view vendor data. A Site can display just those tasks and records, with your company's logo and a distraction-free layout. Unlike Tempo's broad navigation, Sites let you customize the menu to center on what matters most, streamlining work.

The beauty of Sites lies in balancing simplicity with customization. They're responsive like Tempo but offer an experience feeling purpose-built. For businesses, this translates to happier, more productive teams focusing on core responsibilities without extra features. Sites also securely require Appian authentication, letting you control access while providing a polished experience. By lessening complexity, Sites help optimize operations and reduce training time, allowing teams to start running immediately.

Portals: welcoming the outside world

What if you need to connect with those outside your system, like patrons or providers, who lack Appian accounts? That's where Portals come into play. Portals are standalone, public-facing interfaces that any can access without signing into Appian. Consider a retailer allowing a client portal where shoppers may check orders, submit help queries, or update profiles. With Portals, you can generate a fully branded experience that aligns with your company's appearance, complete with customized navigation to guide users through the process. It's like opening a digital front that's accessible all the time, no Appian account demanded.

Portals are a mighty way to stretch your procedures to external stakeholders. They're reactive and highly customizable, confirming a smooth experience on any device. For your business, this means stronger client relationships, as you furnish convenient, self-service choices that lessen support expenses. Portals also enable new chances, like enabling providers to submit invoices straight or partners to collaborate on projects, all without compromising security through cautious configuration. By making your procedures accessible to the outside earth, Portals can drive involvement and open new income streams.

A real-world scenario: bringing It all together

Let’s see how these interfaces work in action. Suppose your company handles expense management across teams, customers, and external contractors. With Tempo, your internal finance team gets a centralized hub to review expense submissions, check related data, and collaborate on approvals via the news feed. For the procurement department, you create a Site that focuses solely on approving high-value expenses, with a branded, streamlined interface to keep them focused. Customers, meanwhile, can use a Portal to submit reimbursement requests or check payment statuses, all through a public, branded interface that feels like part of your website. Finally, you embed an expense submission form into your employee intranet using an Embedded Interface, letting staff submit expenses without leaving their familiar portal.

This multi-interface approach ensures everyone employees, customers, and partners interacts with your processes in the most intuitive way possible. For your business, the benefits are clear: faster processes, fewer errors, and happier users. Tempo reduces collaboration overhead, Sites streamline team-specific workflows, Portals enhance customer engagement, and Embedded Interfaces integrate seamlessly with your existing systems. Together, they create a cohesive ecosystem that saves time and resources while driving better outcomes. 

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Why Appian’s interfaces are a business win

Appian’s interface options Tempo, Sites, Portals, and Embedded Interfaces make it easy to deliver the right experience to the right user at the right time. By simplifying interface creation, Appian eliminates the need for costly, time-consuming custom development, letting your business move faster. These interfaces boost productivity by automating and streamlining processes, whether it’s approving expenses or serving customers. They also scale effortlessly as your needs grow, from internal dashboards to public-facing portals, without breaking the bank. Security is baked in, with authentication controls ensuring data stays safe, whether for internal teams or external users. Most importantly, these interfaces empower your teams and customers to work smarter, fostering collaboration, engagement, and efficiency across your organization.

Ready to transform how your business interacts with its processes? Appian’s user-friendly interfaces are the key to unlocking a more connected, efficient operation. Dive into Appian’s documentation or connect with ICX, we can help you in this journey. Your business deserves interfaces that work as hard as you do Appian makes it happen.