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Online Project
Management Tools
Online project management tools – project management made easy
September 22, 2005
By: Ben Davidson
Several new online project management tools now make
online Internet collaboration with coworkers, clients,
friends, or family easy and intuitive.
Basecamp,
Intranets.com, and
Groove
are three products aimed at managing online collaborative
projects.
An online project management tool is an application that
creates a private network you then use to collaborate and
interact with other users. The management of to-do lists,
uploading and downloading of files, scheduling meetings, and
use of whiteboards and online chat rooms are just a few
featured tools.
Basecamp offers the most basic online solution
The simplest management tool around is probably Basecamp.
This web-based Internet application requires no software or
hardware install. Better yet, its most basic version is
free. It also rates highly on the user friendliness scale,
offering an easily configurable web site. Users can post
messages, tasks, and manage scheduling within minutes of
first logging in. Exporting items to an XML file, automated
notifications of site changes, and sharing files via an FTP
server are other online options.
In a nice touch, Basecamp’s appearance is completely
customizable. It will look like you or your management team
created the site from scratch! All server information is
backed up immediately after being entered, and then every 24
hours after that. Basecamp works equally well as an extranet
or intranet system. Of all three products, Basecamp is the
most accessible, and the best “pure” tool for web-based
project management.
Choose Intranets.com for powerful options
Intranets.com resembles a more advanced (and expensive)
version of Basecamp. Users can manage online databases, Web
conference and present live PowerPoint presentations, post
files and manage online discussion forums, and conference
call from a dedicated 800 number. While powerful,
Intranets.com scores points for accessibility. A shortcut
tool speeds up common tasks; while robust help tools and
live support technicians provide quick answers.
Groove provides a desktop software solution
Groove Virtual Office uses the peer-to-peer approach.
Instead of storing information on a third-party web server,
all data resides on the user’s machine. Groove’s “virtual
workspaces” are customizable windows for managing and
collaborating on information. After installing Groove’s
software, you’ll be able to launch the system app and begin
project collaborations. Groove offers some other great
features like the ability to designate differing workspaces:
“file-sharing” is especially helpful, allowing multiple
users to edit the same file (Groove immediately updates and
synchronizes the changes among users).
For a hands free approach to communication, there’s Voice
over IP. If your online collaborations require real time
imaging, you’ll appreciate Groove’s inclusion of a
whiteboard for freehand sketching, as well as instant
digital image displays. Overall, Groove software is more
sophisticated than Basecamp and Intranets.com. Two options
are available, with the Full Professional Edition featuring
tools like integration with Microsoft SharePoint,
customizable forms, and virtual Web conference meetings.
With software and Internet choices like these, its no
wonder that everyone from wedding planners to IT management
are embracing managing tools like Basecamp, Groove, and
Intranets.com. Once you find the right project management
tool, you’ll never look back.
About the Author
Ben Davidson is a successful freelance writer and
contributor to Web-Conferencing-Zone.com. Your
definitive guide to
web conferencing services,
online collaboration software and
web meetings for business.
Also See:
[ Online training
courses for MCSE certification and computer training ]
[ College courses
online -- web conferencing in online college courses ]
[ Web based meeting --
web conferencing & collaboration tool overview ]
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