LAS VEGAS (Autodesk University), Dec 4, 2008 - Clarizen, creator of online project management software, was hot to tell me of their brand new connection to AutoCAD... but that almost didn't
happen. Somehow, they did not get listed as an exhibitor despite having a booth.
When I finally met Clarizen's Guy Shani, VP of Sales, he showed my how exactly Clairizen hooks into AutoCAD. AutoCAD users can share a file with another team member, make notes, update progress and project schedules -- all directly from within the AutoCAD environment
Though MS Project is the leading project management software, I've found it to take considerable time and effort to learn, not worth it for the little I needed to do. Clarizen promises to be less of an effort without comprising on core functionality.
Clarizen also distinguishes itself by being totally online application (SaaS-- software as a service), whereas MS Project is a desktop application.
But what if you are on an airplane, I ask, which I seem to be working from more than ever? Clarizen hopes to meet the offline need in some future version, but there "are issues" to consider in synchronizing data.
How does it compare to Basecamp, the popular online project management and collaboration application? That is more of a consumer application, says Guy disdainfully. Of course, you can't expect Basecamp to have any kind of CAD tie in.
Clarizen also ties into SolidWorks, Guy whispers, conscious of his venue.
Clarizen is available for a free trial, then $50/month but substantial discounts are available for multiple users and for a long term commitment.
More information at www.clarizen.com.
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