Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with software and management

What's a simple event management software package I can help my friend run?

rev- — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:55:20 -0800

Software recommendations: Free event management software for a local event I'm helping a friend out who runs a once-a-month event in Madison. He has played with Wordpress and eCalendar and other software, but he's not happy with anything he's finding. So he's called me. I think he needs an event management system, albeit a simple one.

What it should be is a simple software package that he can add events to. The user would see the next event (with lots of detail) as well as see that this isn't just a one-time thing, but a series of events. The focus should always be on the current/upcoming event.

Features he'd like are the ability for people to say that they are coming (and that could be public) and get email reminders if possible. This is closer to a local version of evite than anything, I guess.

I feel like I'm asking for something simple, but everything I find is way too big and "all-inclusive."

PHP-based software would be the best option, but I think we could be flexible for the right solution. Heck, even a recommendation on a good Wordpress plugin that does something like this would be great.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

-James

What's the best agile project management tool?

bshort — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:24:47 -0800

What's your favorite agile project management tool? I'm looking for something that allows tracking of backlog, user tasks, developer time for tasks, and provides reporting for sprints, projects, and user stories on a daily, weekly, and sprint-level basis.

I've looked at AgileBuddy, which is pretty great, but the reporting isn't very good. I need to be able to see who did what 6 weeks ago, and I need to be able to do it without referring to the "activity view", which shows every action by every team member.

Is there another tool out there that I should be looking at?

Oh, and it needs to be web-based.

In Search of Events Management Software

redarmycomrade — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:09:55 -0800

What are some good software platforms/services that will help us run our conferences? My company runs a number of small conferences, and we're looking for an events management software platform to handle session content, agendas, registration, and call for proposals. Looking for suggestions along the lines of ExpectNation and Cvent. Hopefully cheaper!

Need software that does project management, email marketing and advanced analytics

Incy — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:26:33 -0800

I am looking for an email management program (like campaign monitor) that also includes email analytics (like google analytics) and project management tools (like basecamp). I am in a small marketing department at a non-profit that relies heavily on email (100K+/month messages sent). My google-fu has failed me so far, I can't find anything that has all three components. Does anyone know of a one stop shop that does this? Also open to a using several programs as long as we can get them to work with each other.

Seeking shared online multi-part project managing solution

Scram — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:59:36 -0800

I am working with several other people to seek sponsorship for a non-profit event. There is a fairly simple but lengthy series of actions that needs to be completed to track each unique sponsor. We've thought about having a binder with a printed page showing tasks for each sponsor, but it would be preferable if there was an online solution any of us can access for checking off and date-stamping completed tasks, with a place to add notes. A sample workflow would be something like: page is named for a sponsor, sponsor is contacted (checked, need room for notes), sponsor is invoiced (checked, date), check is received and deposited (checked, dates), sponsor is thanked (checked, date), sponsor info is added to website and event map (checked, dates).

Is there some simple, preferably free, way of doing this? We are already using Google Documents to share some text-based information, but none of us is a whiz with the various tools there, and perhaps we're overlooking some obvious solution. Our event website is running Drupal, and one of us knows how to code it.

Thanks, hive mind, for any suggestions you can offer.

Can I use the Time Management Matrix in my software?

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:07:18 -0800

Can I use the "Time Management Matrix" in a commercial software product without any legal repercussions? (If you're not familiar with the Time Management Matrix, you can find a good primer here.)

My understanding is that the Matrix was popularized by Stephen Covey's book First Things First, and was later featured in some of his other books. Since then it has been widely used in motivational and leadership books and seminars. There are dozens of articles and pages about it online. It very likely existed in other forms, at least in concept, before Covey wrote about it.

I am interested in including a visual representation, description, and interactive version of this Matrix in a piece of commercial software I am writing. Without giving away too much of the application's functionality, essentially a user will be able to click one of the quadrants of the Matrix to assign a task to it, view a list of tasks sorted by quadrant, etc. The software would also include a brief description of the Matrix and its quadrants, with no direct quotations from Covey's book or any other sources. In fact, I don't plan on mentioning Covey at all (unless I must for attribution) in order to avoid any implications of endorsement.

Would I run into any legal issues if I do this? I can't find any solid evidence on whether Covey invented the concept or the term, so that's the first thing I need to find out. After that, I need to know what I can do if he does have some claim of ownership to it.

You have _this_ video card, you have _this_much_ RAM, you have _this_many_disks_ with _this_much_ space, your favorite color is _purple_ and your processor is made by _Intel_.

ostranenie — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:31:25 -0800

Free or near-free configuration management tool that examines a system and outputs a report? I have 100 (nominal) disparate PCs on a network inherited from various sources. I want a semi-organized report on each of them with regard to which software packages are installed and what hardware is on each. Is there a free or inexpensive piece of software you've used that will do this? Thanks!

painting company organization software

jellywerker — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:37:20 -0800

business management software for a painter My boss would like some form of software that organizes his clients. Something where he can create a file and put in a name and contact info, paint color used, etc...

Sort of like a beefed up contacts organizer I guess.

He'd also like to be able to link a picture of the job the the client's file, as well as have some sort of way to input the bid, preferably in a format that he can print out as an invoice.

The ability to organize by date input would be very helpful.

Anyone know of any software that can do this? Or most of this?

Looking for a great customer management/scheduling solution for a growing IT company

titans13 — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 08:30:27 -0800

My company is looking for a comprehensive package to manage our IT company, which has grown 1000% over the past 4.5 years. I believe we have outgrown our existing solution. It has to be scalable, user friendly, integrate with Quickbooks, ideally would integrate with Kaseya, and generally be a very full solution. Honestly, Autotask is the best thing we have found, but it is not an option as we cannot host it ourself. Outsourcing all client data to another company means we are beholden to that company for life and that is not an option. We tested Commit but the web interface just wasn't robust. The program itself was very functional, but the interface would lead one to believe that it was intended for smaller shops so we are going to stay away from it. All suggestions and critiques are welcome.

Help me organize my time and projects by the hour.

metalheart — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:51:29 -0800

What time/project management software or sites might be able to help me view my week in hourly clumps and allow me to check off completed tasks or monitor their success? I've tried a number of GTD services, but none of them has been quite right, so I'm looking for suggestions. I've searched through Ask MeFi, but I've not really found anything like what I'm looking for, so here goes.

I really want to manage my time better. I already do pretty well on the whole, but I want to do better, so I can accomplish more. I already use Google Calendar for basic things, like house chores, but I've found it doesn't really cut it for me on other things--for whatever reason.

Pen and paper doesn't work for me, as I'm a very computer and mobile-oriented person. I've tried Todoist and liked its more textual system and idea of checking items off as you completed them, but it too fell short in the end. (It wasn't as intuitive as I'd have liked.) I tried Basecamp, but I hated the interface design and found it to be way too basic.

Currently, I'm trying out RescueTime for my computer time management, but I'd rather if it could do offline goal tracking and statistics as well...

It seems, overall, that I need a few features from each of these services, really, and I can't seem to find anything that fits that.

What I would like to find is some (preferably) web-based or desktop software that will work more on an hourly basis. What I mainly want to do is work a certain number of hours on various tasks, each week. I'm a student, and it's my summer holiday. I want to freelance several hours a week, work on art for a number of other hours, write, etc.

What time/project management software or sites might be able to help me view my week in hourly clumps and allow me to check off completed tasks or monitor their success?

P.S. - It'd be great if there were some sort of mobile alert thing for this as well, but it's not necessary. Would just be a nice to have.

Help Me Create A Dateless Timeline(s)

Waitwhat — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:15:48 -0800

I'd like to create a project timeline guide that does not have dates. It is a general guide which indicates at what point in the process a certain action takes place. The timeline would actually be more comprised of several different time lines that overlap. Timelines a, b, and c (etc) wouldn't correspond to individuals but rather larger tasks that are occuring concurrently. I also would need to easily be able to export/print this timeline. My question is: is there a free program that I can use to create this? I have access to photoshop and illustrator but I'd rather not use those. I'm using a Mac running 10.5

Web based collaboration software

london302 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:46:25 -0800

Recommendations for programmable web based collaboration software for team in multiple cities (such as basecamp or google docs) [I am not a software expert so my request is based on what I (a user) need]:

- The software could be called a project management software as the team (consisting of about 10 members).

- The work involves analysing a number of project leads (10 to 20 max at any given time). The object of the analysis is to identify the best lead (one or more) and kill the ones that do not meet our internal criteria (the criteria are not codefied as a check list but are subjective criteria).

- During the process of analysis the analyst collects data from the project owner (word, excel and pdf format usually) and from other sources such as the web (urls, pdf) and it there was a way to have all this information to be centralised that would be excellent.

-Optional Extras:

1. Ability for project founders (outside the organisation) to upload data directly into the project space without having the ability to read what we have entered

(maybe ablity to email data into the project)

2. Ability for analysts to generate automated emails to founders requesting for information or to update other analysts on the status of a project.

- My understanding is that we will need to pick a platform such as Basecamp or Google sites and have someone programme and customise this for us. Any reliable suppliers?

- Our budget is not huge and we are very inexperienced with software projects and we have heard horror stories of them going out of control which we will not be able to afford. It seems to me that if we picked a platform that had the basic functionality of what we want then there are probably fewer things that can go wrong.

- Would eLance or such sites be good to identify a programmer once we have identified the platform.

Thanks very much for your attention.

Artist + biz = hope me

typewriter — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:45:41 -0800

Has anyone used mac freelance to manage their freelance biz? I am a freelancer wearing different hats in different creative industries. I like it like this as I am bored easily. But I am not great at managing the financial end. For instance, I have no idea in any given month how much I make because everything is so different, running on different timeframes and with completely different guidelines. I am okay with numbers (I have managed budgets of up to 65,000) but I have never tried to track my business(es) as it is far from intuitive for me. I have mostly just tracked things with a notebook. Eg. How much will I get paid? And when it gets paid, I highlight the entry. Now I am getting too busy and dare I say successful, that this system is really no longer sustainable. Will this program be useful and adaptive enough for me? Or is there some other way to do this easily? Any other financial freelancey tips more than welcome.

Recommend me some Correspondence-Management software?

sjbrophy — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:32:52 -0800

Can anybody recommend me some software that will allow me to manage correspondence paperlessly; that will allow 4 networked users to access a database containing all correspondence, including scanned copies of stuff received on paper from customers and third parties contacted on their behalf. I work for a public representative. we currently use a lotus notes - based system that allows us to record details of our customers, and stores soft copies of any letters we compose. However it is not designed to accept scanned documents or emails.

We open about 50 new cases a week, in addition to ongoing work on existing cases, and dealing with queries verbally (this still needs to be recorded).

I am hoping that there is an off-the-shelf solution - something used by SMEs or government agencies in other countries.

Many thanks to anybody with any input - this is my first time using metafilter :)

Is there a simple (kinda) task manager for Linux?

Koffeeman — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:45:46 -0800

Linux + EEE + Chaotic Projects = ????? Project Manager. What should I try? I have a 700 series 4G Surf Eee that I am using as a PDA plus. I like the thing (very portable, long battery life, easy to get accessories). I t has almost everything I want. But what I need is some kind of easy to use project manager.

My employer responds to RFPs (Request for Proposals) that can vary from really quick and simple to the monstoruosly complex. Most of the time the sales person and I work out the RFP needs and work that plan...Until we talk to the client and start all over as new data comes in. In order to keep to the tight timelines I have, I often try to figure out who I need to call, what needs to be done, and how the sales person needs to present our proposal. That means drafting out at least some tasks for the project. But after revisions, or Q&A sessions, or merely phone calls to the RFP company, most of those plans get rearranged. Therefore I need a better way to keep track these decidedly transient projects, allow me to toss entire trains of thought, and can make sure I don't sit around blowing bubbles when work needs to progress.

I would like the software to work on Xandros or Debian, allow me to keep soemthing like nested todos, allow me to strikethrough entries as well as delete or check off entries, and keep notes on either project or tasks as data changes, and classify projects as either active, passive, or dead. I have tried Baskets (didn't like it), use Evolution now, and would like something that would be locally installed. Ideas? Need more details?

Suggestions for Photo Management Software Shared Over a Network?

macinchik — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:46:17 -0800

Suggestions for Photo Management Software Shared Over a Network? I'm in the exact same situation as the person who asked this question on the topic, more than a year ago.

To summarize: "I need to find networked photo management software, similar in function to Picasa or ACDSee, but with the ability to share "tags" between multiple users over a network. The products I've been able to find all allow tagging, but those tags are available only to that user, and my company needs to search the photo tags without each user having tagged each photo individually."

Is iView still the way to go? It seems likely but I must say I am hesitant to adopt it since it was recently acquired by Microsoft. There's something called Portfolio Server but it is out of our price range.

Do programs like Aperture, Bridge, Lightroom, etc., allow you to edit metadata "within" the photo files, so that if a group of people keeps their photos on a shared drive, those photos will indeed begin to collaboratively accumulate tags and other sorting information?

Terminology Management software solutions

gemmy — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:28:45 -0800

Software for keeping lists of terms and definitions organized? Help me tame the glossary monster. My work publishes several sector-specific reports each quarter, containing updates on what's been happening in that sector and in the market. These reports also contain a "glossary" with definitions/descriptions - like brief bios of the people mentioned in the report, acronym definitions, and explanations of specific terms used in the text. There is substantial overlap with the terms used, both between sectors and over time. The full glossaries have so far been stored in a flat Word file for each report - split up by sector - and the lists get updated each quarter. This has worked OK for a while, but the lists have now become unwieldy. There is also a lot of differences in wording between sector versions.

I am looking for some recommendations for software that might help me keep the terms and their definitions organized in one place - with just one entry per term (that would help with consistency across sectors). However, I also need to be able to export subsets of the definitions for use in our reports. I looked online and found AnyLexic, which seems like it might be along the lines of what I'm looking for. So I'd also like to know if anyone has experience with this particular program.

-Windows 2000/XP environment
-Need to be able to export a subset of definitions to Word/Excel or CSV.
-Reasonably priced for a non-profit

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Best of the Web: Project Management Software

foxy_hedgehog — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 08:29:32 -0800

Dear MeFi softwareheads of all stripes: What are your favorite online resources on project management software? I'm talking articles, essays, tips, ad infinitum. I'm writing a brief piece (just 2000 words) on project management software for laypeople such as myself and would like to include a helpful and high-quality set of links that will allow people to learn more about the concept, the specifics, and which option is best for them. Thorough reviews are welcome in addition to general blog posts et al on the subject, especially if they shed specific, detailed light on how this technology can be helpful.

I know this request must seem rather vague and open-ended, but so is my writing assignment!

Thank you very much for your help.

Wine inventory/management software

Lizc — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 09:37:16 -0800

Wine inventory/management software. I'm looking for a reliable program to catalog my department's wine collection. We receive bottles from various vintners daily, so the collection is quite large. I'd love some recommendations from the mefi crowd for PC software. Has anyone used one of these? I've done some google searching, and the list is endless with possible programs. I would prefer to get some recommendations before I order one.

IntelliScanner Collector 200 looks very promising, basically anything along those lines would be ideal for this project.

I would like the software to include:
- a barcode/SKU scanner.
- space for tasting notes / reviews.
- a locater system.
- ability to catalog spirits as well as wines.
- export to MS excel for reporting.

Thanks!

How does a group of people keep its priorities straight?

clearlynuts — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 06:40:56 -0800

How does a group of people keep its priorities straight? I'm looking for software that a small group can keep a list of tasks. Additionally, I'd like for the list of tasks to be kept in priority order where the priority is set by one or more people. I'd like for the tasks to have unique priorities, so everything can't be most critical. Finally, if this thing could notify the group when the list changes. Does such software exist?

Are there any Release Management Engineers out there?

zzztimbo — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:37:07 -0800

Are there any Release Management Engineers out there? I would like to find out about your daily routine. Besides the responsibilities mentioned in typical job descriptions, what is it like being a release management engineer? Is it stressful? Is there room for creativity? What sort of career path is there? Lastly, how does the pay compare with other software engineering roles?

Good programs for sharing contacts and calendar info in a small company?

redteam — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:43:09 -0800

What are good programs for sharing contact and calendar information in a small office? The most attractive piece of software I've found so far is "ACT!" The office looking for this program (a small architecture firm) has under 10 users all running Windows 2000/XP. They want something easy and that can be run offline, exclusively offline is preferable.

They used to run "Now Up-to-Date" and totally hate it. They want to replace this program with something better and more user-friendly.

The program should be very easy to use, easy to install/maintain, well-supported, doesn't require a dedicated server, and is reasonably priced.

Is ACT! really the best thing out there?

Also, can you give me some keywords for what this kind of software is called?

Documentation!

Null Pointer and the Exceptions — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 07:08:00 -0800

What are the essential documents that all (software dev) projects should include? There are certain "artifacts" that all dev projects should create above and beyond code and bugs, and most of that is documentation. What are the essential documents that all projects should include? UML diagrams, architecture, specs? Any links to reference would be appreciated.

Inventory Management Software: Is there a simpler alternative to Compiere?

trinity8-director — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 10:10:31 -0800

Inventory Management Software: Is there a simpler alternative to Compiere? I (in US) am partners with a friend (in UK). We need to share inventory/sales data. We could send spreadsheets via email but I would prefer a web-based solution.

Are there simpler (to use) alternatives to Compiere? Extra points for open source/free but low-cost options considered as well. Actually, I'd consider any options including a good spreadsheet solution.

Great event planning + task management software?

scottandrew — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:12:51 -0800

Anyone know of any great event planning + task management software? I'm specifically looking for task management software with an emphasis on event planning. Basically, I need something that helps me with backwards-planning for repeat events. (Think: wedding planning. Reserve the hall, hire the caterer...rinse, repeat for each event.) Ideally it would allow re-usuable event "templates."

Example: I'm a performing musician, and I've got a show planned for three months out. I know that there are many things I need to do in advance of the show date:

-4 weeks: confirm date with venue
-3 weeks: send flyers
-2 weeks: send local press release
-10 days: notify local event calendars
-2 days: send "last-mile" reminder to mailing list
+2 days: send thank-you to venue and promoter
etc. (there could be a lot more here)

Currently I have to enter all of these tasks by hand into Google Calendar, set reminders, etc. It's maddening, especially when you multiply it by 10 shows a month. It would be great if I could define a template of tasks grouped around a type of event, so when I insert an event on a particular date, all the related tasks are inserted automatically into the calendar.

Email/SMS reminders are also key. I need the interruptions. I'd prefer web-based software over desktop apps, but I'd consider either.

I've already looked at Basecamp, Tracks, RememberTheMilk, etc. so far none of them have this templating ability.

Does such a beast exist?