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Google™ Apps Online
Many business men, freelancers, and other professionals are looking at online solutions for their small group management software. One of the most popular online software applications for small group management is Google™ Apps. Google™ utilizes its powerful infrastructure base to create messaging and collaboration tools with their patented simple interface. The biggest strength of Google™ Apps aside with the brand name and reliability is the fact that their apps are coded for speed and efficiency. Google™ apps are perfect for small businesses because it gets the job done while saving you money. The application suite includes Gmail, Google™ Docs, Google™ Talk, Google™ Calendar, and Google™ Sites. External third party apps are also being developed to work with Google™ apps such as CRM software and accounting tools.
More application will continue to roll with Google™ Apps and it certainly beats offline software solutions in cost. Google™ is betting on cloud workspaces as the new trend for small group management.
Basecamp®
Basecamp® is another online platform for collaboration and project management for small business and organizations. Basecamp® has developed a niche for online workgroups, and global freelancers. Although it may not have the corporate image of Google™, Basecamp® has developed a lot of mature tools and integration with third party apps making it the most popular online small group management software. Tens of thousands of individuals, agencies, and entrepreneurs use Basecamp® to get their projects done. There are even third party applications that are dedicated only to work with Basecamp®. Its enthusiastic user base, sleek interface, and affordable pricing plans make it one of the most worthwhile small group management software today.
For more information about Basecamp®, visit:
www.basecamphq.com
ActiveCollab™
ActiveCollab™ is a browser based small group management software similar to Basecamp®, but one that you can download and install in your own web host or intranet server. ActiveCollab™ first came out as an open source alternative to Basecamp®, but since then it has evolved into a mature product with more customization options.
The downside of ActiveCollab™ compared to Basecamp® is that you have to manage the server on your own although they have tools that help you install the software to your server easily. With ActiveCollab™ you can keep track of your projects, assign tasks to people, discuss milestones, communicate with your clients, take control of your group data, and extend or integrate different applications and plug-ins to customize the system according to your own workflow.
For more information about ActiveCollab™ visit:
www.ActiveCollab.com.
Microsoft Office Live Workspace®
Microsoft Office Live Workspace® is regarded as the online extension of Microsoft Office 2007. It was first drawn as a simple file sharing and management tool, but it has evolved into an online workspace for small businesses and organizations. If you are familiar and comfortable with Microsoft Office, and you have no qualms with the relative cost of these applications, Microsoft Office Live could be the solution for you. With this suite you can upload and organize files, edit them on the go using Microsoft Office. The biggest advantage of this small group management software is its compatibility with popular document formats. Since most documents are made using MS Office, people are more comfortable with opening documents using the same software. Microsoft Office Live hopes to compete with Google™ Apps while emphasizing the need the value of its Office suite.
For more details, visit:
www.workspace.officelive.com.
Blue Tie©
Blue Tie© is an advance email platform for small business, providing collaboration applications at an affordable price for less than $5 per month, you have a 10GB inbox, shared calendar, contacts, and files, and instant messaging. Blue Tie’s is a popular platform for ISPs and webhosting resellers. You can upload and browse your files, send it to other members for checking and editing, schedule meetings, and just do about everything that you need to do to complete a project. Blue Tie© is definitely a workhorse that can work with you using a simple interface.
For more information about Blue Tie© visit:
www.bluetie.com.
GoPlan
GoPlan is a fast rising alternative to Basecamp® with a more streamlined user interface, more project-centric tools, and efficient work spaces. With GoPlan, your projects are immediately accessible from your account dashboard next to your assigned tasks. You can quickly assign tasks to your team and set a date with calendar events. GoPlan allows you to sync your tasks and dates using RSS, iCal, Outlook, or your mobile phone.
For more information visit:
www.goplan.info
Microsoft Office™ Small Business Management 2006
For business owners and project managers who need an offline solution with Microsoft Office™, Small Business Management 2006 is available. The software suite uses Microsoft 2003 family of office software including Outlook 2003, business contact manager, and accounting software designed by Microsoft. The suite allows you to manage your business in one place and build stronger customer relationships with its host of collaboration and communication tools.
Small Business Management Software: Honorable Mentions
Other offline and online solution that you must consider are FileMaker Pro®, Backpack®, and eSalesTrack®.
FileMaker Pro® has become one of the favorite small business management solutions. A large part of their success stems from the easy to use database for a manager who needs to keep track of their inventory. Filemaker also processes sales orders contacts, and projects.
Backpack® is another online application from 37 signals, which is the maker of Basecamp®. Backpack® offers roughly the same tools as Basecamp® with more focus on collaboration. With Backpack®, you can make intranet-style sites, start message boards, administer chat meeting, and share files online. Backpack® is more applicable for idea sharing and brainstorming compared to Basecamp®.
Lastly, eSalesTrack® is a CRM solution for small businesses. This is ideal for businesses with hard production targets that need solution for sales tracking and inventory markups. eSalesTrack® offers a complete sales package with competitive price models, freeing business managers from investing in large management systems that may not work as effectively as eSalesTrack®. Like other applications that have joined the trend of cloud computing, eSalesTrack® is fully web based which means you do not have to download or install anything.
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