Over the years I've reviewed a number of project and portfolio management as well as professional service automation software applications. Many of these are offered as on-premise or, lately, on an on-demand basis. Regardless of business model, these solutions can often be a bit high-priced for those companies desiring a more straightforward and simplistic solutions.
Last week, I spoke with executives from AEC Software of Dulles, Virginia. AEC sells a $349 (retail) project management product. They also offer solutions for 5, 10 or 25 concurrent users. Their most current version of the software is called FastTrack Schedule 10. This product is targeted for individuals who may need a project management solution for a short time or for a less complex endeavor. This could be the person who is an occasional project manager or is a project manager for a specific endeavor. Contrary to the company’s name (AEC - often refers to architecture, engineering and construction), the software product can be used in many different industries (e.g., advertising) and not just AEC.
This particular product comes pre-delivered with a number of project management templates and examples that are free to customers. The software also allows the collection and and utilization of outside data regarding project resources. As an example, information about specific project team personnel can be extracted from Microsoft Outlook. Photographs of workers can even be added to the resource management tool. The resource management tool permits project managers to consolidate resource requirements across multiple projects to identify potential resource conflicts.
Projects can be encoded via effort driven schedules. Project information can be imported and exported to and from Microsoft Project. The software already supports Microsoft Project 2010.
AEC believes they have the following product advantages:
- their product utilizes workflow and other ease-of-use technologies
- the software works on both Macintoshes and Windows-based PCs.
- The software presents information in a easy to use, understand and enter perspective.
From what I saw of this package, I concluded the following:
- Given the software's price point, the product is a straightforward, easy to use project planning tool that adds many helpful resource management capabilities.
- The product is correctly positioned as a tool to be used by persons or firms with few or sporadic projects. It was not designed to replicate the types of complex program management capabilities found in higher-end project portfolio management solutions. However, complex program management solutions don't retail for $349 either.
- Professional service firms may find the resource management capabilities to be less robust than what one finds in a professional services automation solution. Likewise, very large complex multiperson project teams will want a solution that comes with pre-supplied time entry module. There is no such module currently within this product line.
I've been looking online for a project management tool to help me with my new start up. I like what you wrote about it and the price sounds reasenable, as well. Thanks for the idea!
Posted by: software testing services | October 19, 2010 at 01:53 AM
This is an excellent post. having such a tool for managing projects online is something very helpful. I have read your post,surely $349 is nothing for the benefits one can get out of it. I will try using it for some of out company projects.
Posted by: Cameron Fenley | February 08, 2011 at 01:58 PM
I would also recommend to use "Mobile Proposal Software" specifically to manage and increase sales dramatically.
A Brief Detail About "Mobile Proposal Software":
Mobile proposal software is used to improve sales effectiveness and sales engagement process. This software helps to safe time on the sales engagement by enabling them to deliver attractive business proposals, sales proposals, and client facing documents from their mobile devices or I phones. It helps your sales team to provide the most current information to clients without any delay. Any sales person in any country can log into the software and can ask any question, and you can reply him/her instantly. It also helps to provide any information that client asks your sales representative. Having this software in mobile phone means you are with your sales team 24/7 no matter wherever they are and can take any decision like finalizing the selling price with customers. This software is incredibly helpful in exporting jobs.
Posted by: Mobile Proposal Software | February 08, 2011 at 02:10 PM