Web-based project management uses software that is available via the internet. Because there are several advantages of using this system, companies of all sizes are embracing this technology and reaping the rewards:
Wherever you are, your projects are too.
Typically, companies purchase software from a vendor and install it manually onto their servers/computers and use it to manage their business. This is known as on-site software. The opposite of that type of software is web-based software, which requires no installation at all. The software can be found online and accessed from anywhere, with any type of device, as long as you have a web browser and an internet connection. Want to work by the pool using your wifi connection? With web-based project management software, you can.
Teamwork becomes easy.
Project management requires teamwork. Teamwork might be easy when everyone works in the same office, but what if your employees don’t? If you have international branches, for example, telecommuters, or off-site contractors, web-based project management allows you to share project plans/changes, delegate tasks, and give contractors instant information.
Web-based software offers you and your employees a reliable platform for keeping your project plan in a central location and for collaborating with your team. You can set up smart notifications, emails, and other types of alerts so that your team members have the most up to date information at all times. Sharing knowledge and working together will make projects run more smoothly and be finished more quickly.
You can save money.
Because there is no software to either download or install – with the exception of web browsers, all of which are free – web-based project management is far cheaper than the on-site alternative, for which you’d have to purchase not only the software package and user licenses for your employees, but also possibly for an implementation consultant. What you pay for with web-based software is a monthly fee that covers data hosting and security.
This also means that 1) adding new users doesn’t cost extra; it’s as simple as adding a new password and 2) there’s no need for costly equipment, like new computers, because web-based software requires no extra hard drive space or other fancy hardware.
You always have the latest version.
Sometimes updating/upgrading on-site software is as complicated as installing new software. Web-based project management software, however, ensures that you are always using the latest version – automatically and for free. Online software updates are also more frequent, so you’re always on the cutting edge of technology with the newest features.
Not to mention that you’re always on the cutting edge with all of your devices – one of the problems with on-site software is that the cost of updating is sometime prohibitive, so perhaps all units aren’t updated at the same time. Eventually there are many different versions of the software being used and efficiency can suffer. Not so with web-based project management software.
Your data is safer.
On-site software requires consistent monitoring – an information technology employee, a manager, etc. must diligently monitor data and server security to ensure that company and customer data isn’t leaked to someone/somewhere it doesn’t belong. Because they cannot be watching all the time, it is always possible to have a security breach. Online software, on the other hand, hosts your company’s sensitive data on a secure server that is constantly monitored by advanced security software and a staff of specialists in computer security.
So if you haven’t considered using web-based project management yet, you should. Ease of access, less expense, safer data, automatic updates, and improved efficiency are all excellent reasons to use web-based software to manage your projects.
