Collaboration Tools: Project2Manage

The fourth collaboration tool that I will evaluate: Project2Manage

Hardware/Software Requirements & OS/Browser Compatibility:

• No hardware or software downloads, just like the other 3. 
• The service is cloud-based, so only an internet connection is required for users. All  browsers are compatible with Project2Manage

Storage Space:

• 150MB
• Free account only allows one project at a time.
• Basic account only allows 5 projects at a time
• More about P2M's storage capabilities

Number of Users Per Project:

• Unlimited!

Synchronization and Email:

• No email feature.
• All updates, shares, annotations and edits are up-to-the-minute.
• Messaging is available to members of each project's team.

Security:

• Only upgraded accounts have have 128-bit SSL encryption. 
• Setting users' roles makes for more secure content.
• Not 100% monitored.
• More on P2M's security

Functionality and Services:

• Users can upload, download, edit, annotate, share and collaborate on most file common types. 
• Messaging replaces standard email or IM. 
• A tour of P2M is available

So, how does it stack up?

Hardware/Software/OS/Browser: A

Number of Users per Project: A

Storage Space: D

Synchronization/Email: D

Security: D

Overall: C

Collaboration Tools: The Contenders

After some hunting, I think I've narrowed it down to my top 4 collaboration tools:

• Hyperoffice
• Vyew
• KeepandShare
• Project2Manage

I watched their demos. I read their reviews. I asked a friend (Brent) who works almost exclusively with collaboration software (he's in eCommerce/Online Marketing, I trust his opinion and experience). I played around with uploading files, having Brent make edits and annotations (if available) and familiarized myself with the tools.

Brent initially suggested some tools:

• Basecamp
• Yammer
• Salesforce
• Harvest

While I appreciated these suggestions, their main downfall was this: not ONE offered a free trial or demo version (that I could find). Their reviews are amazing (Salesforce has over 2 million users), but their lack of availability got them crossed off the list.

In my upcoming posts, I will review, analyze and grade my top 4 collaboration tools. I hope that my analysis will help you to select the product that works best for you!