Online Project Management Crosses the Chasm

"Will I be sent a DVD, or cd backup of the program when purchased?"

It was a simple question posed by a trial Smartsheet customer last week that provided another piece of evidence that SaaS for collaboration and online project management has crossed the chasm.

While millions of people have tried and subscribed to online applications, tens of millions have not.  This larger group consists of those who are perfectly content letting others blaze the early technology trail and continue to stick with what's worked for them for the previous decade.  However, with every mainstream proof point that Google announces or online application marketing message that is sent, the market majority is coming online.

source: Industry News

So, for those of you who are considering using an online app for the first time, here are a few pointers that may help clarify how Smartsheet works:

• Smartsheet is an online service, accessed over the Internet. Other than the browser you already use on your computer, there is no software to install.  (For any remaining AOL users out there - you will also never receive an upgrade DVD from us either ;)
• Smartsheet enables you to manage and share files, projects, tasks lists, and pipelines - any kind of list.  People you invite can view or edit (provided you have given them permission to do so) for free. 
• Your data is safe.  Our security and privacy procedures ensure that what you save in Smartsheet will persist and only be available to those to whom you grant access.
• Your information can be backed up locally at any time.  The information you store in Smartsheet can be retrieved, stored, and accessed locally at any time.
• You subscribe to, as opposed to own, the Smartsheet application.  Rather than having to spend thousands upfront on software and hardware, you pay a low monthly or annual price. There are no onerous contracts to sign and we need to continually earn your business. 

Whether you are an early adopter who has been running Google Apps for years or are about to make your first leap into the online application space, we look forward to helping you manage your projects and other collaborative work online.

-Mark

Links:
Signup for a free Smartsheet trial account
Add Smartsheet to your Google Apps domain