I have spent most of my development career writing backend code, or front-end apps for used as daily business tools, by at least semi-skilled staff, e.g. order-tracking, sales capture, etc. That those I helped build peformed their tasks well is comfort enough, but I am still seeking excellence in the building of these kind of apps, versus the trendy emphasis on more personal relationships with the UI.
Can anyone recommend reading on this type of application (LOB?) on the web today? Any available examples to study?
I suggest that you read Don’t Make me Think. Don’t think that engaging UIs are not efficient. I would suggest the opposite.
Actually this answer has many useful links.