Project Management with Basecamp
Today, my company (Lifespent Media), switched to a new project management tool called Basecamp. Although this is not my first time using it, I am still impressed. I used Basecamp while I was working with Design is Fuel on one of their projects. I will admit its hard trying to stay organized and keep track of files, emails, and client contact information. Basecamp has really made my life easy by storing everything in one place. Now my clients can login, post feedback, keep up with their to-do list for their specific project, view upcoming benchmarks and even chat live with our developers. Its especially helpful for my clients who aren’t local, they don’t have to waste an email or a phone call to check on the status of their project, now they just login and check it in real time.
But, like I said, we have just started to use it within the last 24 hours, so I will post again in the near future and see if I still think Basecamp is worth the coinage. So far so good though!
Hi Thomas. Yes do give us an update to your experience with Basecamp. I’m currently looking for a project management program as well.
Could you tell me what swayed your company towards Basecamp? Obviously not the website…but maybe their list of satisfied users??
I’m very interested in Project123 and GantProject which runs on Mac. Project123 seems to have very good features in their ‘base’ model. Did you consider any of the above?
Look forward to reading more. Cathryn
Cathryn, I have not heard of either Project 123 or Ganttproject until now. I know there are quite a few people out there who don’t like Basecamp but so far it meets my companies needs and its not too pricy.
However, what really sold me on Basecamp was the fact that I didn’t need to install any third party software on my computer and my clients didn’t need to install anything either. Basecamp is web based. Which also means that all of my information is stored on a third parties server. I guess that can be a positive or a negative depending on how you look at it. If my hard drive gives out or something unforeseeable happens to my computer all of my information is in another location. But if you are big on privacy having all of your information on a third party server probably wouldn’t be a good idea. (Not saying that Basecamp isn’t secure but there is still a chance of a third party sneaking a peak.)
In the end its all about the companies needs and your preference.
Well, I don’t think that storing all your data on your own server is more secure. It means that once you can loose everything when your server goes down. These guys pay more attention to security than anybody else – their income depends on it. As for Basecamp it was a love-hate relationship for me, but I desided to go for another tool after all. Wrike works better for me.
Thomas thanks for your feedback. What you mentioned is exactly why I was drawn to Project123. I like the idea that clients can log in to the system and upload data. Furthermore, data is live and always up to date.
As for security, I’m not 100% sure but they offer the little Authentication padlock in the corner of the browser. I’m not sure how hard it is to get one of those but only secure sites like Paypal and the likes seem to have them.
I missed out on the 12 months free trial =0( but luckily they are now offering a 4 month which I’ve just started. I’ll tell you how it goes and maybe I’ll have to join Thomas and try BC.
Sorry heres a link that works Project123.
I’m new to this!