Expens'd is a simple application to be sure, but when it comes to finances, especially the complicated expense process, simplicity is a good thing. Four tabs let you enter in your expenses, manage users, and generate simple reports for comparisons. Read More »
For businesses and individuals managing expenses is an important part of fiscal health - not only does it help manage the flow of money, but it can tell you what expenses you can expect in the future. To help with this there are a number of web 2.0 applications that are designed to help manage expenses by tracking costs and generating reports. Read More »
Internet users have long been used to the idea that they can publish themselves into blogs, but many may not realize the possibility that new publishing applications online offer, and how web 2.0 has given them new ways to express themselves and enjoy the work of others. Read More »
Producers of videos and advertisers may have more in common than they might think - both want to distribute video content across the web, and both rely on services that distribute videos across multiple networks. At one time these services were expensive, used only by professionals or businesses to promote themselves, but as web 2.0 has developed, these services have become accessible for everyone. Read More »
TubeMogul begins with a simple upload process - either upload your video to TubeMogul or use their application to upload it for you to one of over twenty networks. Once that's done there are options to launch, promote, and track your video(s). Read More »
As promoters and advertisers look to upload their content onto the web, they may see a particular advantage to Veoh. Veoh is not only a way to distribute videos, it's a way to showcase them. In case you missed our earlier review of Veoh as a venue of TV, film, and video hosting, Veoh hosts user videos. Unlike YouTube (for the moment) and similar video hosting sites, Veoh has a worked in audience for video content, making distribution with Veoh an attractive option. Read More »
A partner program with Hey!Watch, a video conversion application, Hey!Spread is designed to distribute video content across 20 different networks. It does this through a four tab navigational bar with features common to video distribution applications, helping you simplify the process. Read More »
So here's the setup - you've got video that you would like to put online, but you don't want to just put into YouTube - you want it all over the web. Maybe you've created a promotional video or creative short film. Maybe you've found a producer you like and are looking to partner that content with advertising. However you reached this point, you need some help - some web 2.0 help - to promote and distribute video content. Read More »
As we looked at the event management applications this week we were impressed by how simple it was to create an event and manage it - each of the applications could do this - yet there were some that stood above the rest. Navigation-wise, all of the applications were easy to move around, but Eventbrite, with its straightforward graphics and spacing was the most appealing. Read More »
For event planners and businesses looking to host a large event, web 2.0 event managing applications handle what once it took teams of people to handle, giving the tools to manage contacts, information and promotion. Amiando is one such application, covering the needs of event planning while offering support for ticketing. Read More »
The first thing you notice about Eventbrite is how effective the layout is, drawing you straight to the information in a visually pleasing manner. The next thing you notice, as you create an event, is that Eventbrite puts everything you need to create the event on the same page, centralized to keep it simple. Read More »
As event managers and public relation managers attempt to get a handle on events, eventsbot can help them, providing attendee and ticket management with options.
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MadeIt offers much of what makes event planning important; a chance to customize a webpage dedicated to your event, add maps, times, set currency, and manage tickets. MadeIt does this through simple tab navigation, breaking the event into two tabs which each have options on a sidebar. The product of this is a streamlined navigation that speeds the setup process. Just fill in the forms on the two tabs and your event is ready to go. Read More »
It's one thing to organize a party - something that most people will confess some frustration with - but to organize an event, a full sized affair with all the invites and lists, that's a special skill. To help with that task are Event Management applications, web 2.0 with the organizational tools to keep even the most complicated of events on track. Read More »
Frequent visitors to Listio will attest to the feeling that the whole world is going web 2.0, and office productivity is no exception. This week we took a look at several productivity applications in web 2.0, specifically the word processing applications Zoho Writer, Springnote, Buzzword, and Writer. We judged the applications on what kind of features they have, how to export and which export formats are supported, and their overall presentation. Each of these applications allowed users to take the creation and editing of word documents online, and each had features for different kinds of users. Read More »
If you're a user that is looking for full featured online word processing, you'll like the options in Zoho Writer. From the moment it opens the application has the look of its well known software rival, with buttons for special features, and a writing space with a ruler. Read More »
It takes less than a second to understand CafePress, and that's because it puts it all up front; buy, sell, and create your own merchandise from a long list of products, including stationary, clothing, home decor, and promotional items. They can print on nearly anything they've seen in a store, and with their new product, InfiniStitch, they can create custom embroidery on shirts and hats. Read More »
Zazzle is a print on demand solution for the individual, but don't let that dissuade you from considering the potential for business and marketing. With several unique customizable products and a rating system to make it fun for the Zazzle community, Zazzle is an application that could make more people aware of your brand. Read More »
Promoting your business isn't easy, but as anyone that has walked a convention hall or two knows, the difference between remembering a company and not is sometimes that promotional item when you pull out when you're home. But how do you create customized products without spending a fortune? Read More »
In a business climate where costs are rising and there is an increasing reliance on the web it is not surprising that companies are finding that web 2.0 applications such as help desks are a cost efficient way to keep satisfaction high and alert them to potential product flaws. This week we took a look at some of the help desk applications on the web. Each offered customers the opportunity to submit help tickets and businesses the chance to manage them. Email was the primary method for this interaction, though each of the applications allowed agents handling the tickets to enter in tickets manually. We evaluated the applications on the ease of use, the options available, and whether the applications were suited to heavy or light users. Read More »
Businesses looking for a way to handle customer service and bug reporting may seek applications that offer flexibility inside and outside the company. One such application is Ticketish, the help desk and ticket handler that keeps ticket handling simple and on the web. Read More »
Just as there are all types of businesses, not all help desks are designed for everyone. Helperoo, the low cost help desk, is designed for smaller companies with basic requirements. Read More »
To keep customers coming back, and to improve products and services, businesses need to communicate with customers and other businesses. In the past there were call centers and direct lines, but as many businesses have discovered, web applications can make managing a help desk easier than ever. HelpDeskPilot is one of those applications, a web based platform that lets customers reach you, and you manage your load of incoming tickets. Read More »
No matter what side you sit on it, dealing with a support desk can be a frustrating process - hard for the company, hard for the customer. Making the process a little less painful is ZenDesk, the web 2.0 application for help desks and customer support. Simplified, easy to intuit forms make the ZenDesk a timesaving platform for enterprise, and the customer. Read More »
As software costs rise and companies need more mobile solutions for productivity tools businesses look increasingly to web 2.0, where a new generation of tools allow companies to conduct their business anywhere, at low cost. This is true of all aspects of productivity, including time management. Businesses know that keeping a handle on time is one of the great challenges, and that companies who can rein it in are able to get more out of every project. This week we covered several of time management tools, judging them on their ability to track time, how easy they were to use, and which features they offered. Read More »
Managing time and tracking billable hours is an important task, but the way that FreshBooks sees it there are fine lines between tracking billable hours and invoicing, and project management. That's why FreshBooks is more than a time management tool, it's a project management, invoicing, and time management application with enough tools to make everyone happy. Read More »
Time management doesn't have to hard. Enter the time, track it, and apply it to a project. Time management application Tick does just that, offering an easy to use online interface to manage time around a project. One of the first things you notice about Tick is how streamlined it is; there are only three tabs (Timecard, Projects, Reporting), and how the page is laid out with plenty of space around items. Not sparse, but easy to read. Read More »
With time running away as easily as it does, having a time management tool is a boon to everyone, and with Cashboard, time is managed with billing in mind. Easily integrated with Basecamp, and with a number of invoicing tools, Cardboard can keep your receivables and timesheets organized. Read More »
An integral part of project management and business, time management can keep projects and people on the move, ensuring success. Fortunately for businesses of all sizes, complicated software that goes out of date is a thing of the past, and is being replaced by web 2.0 time management applications.
Online and updated by the developer at no cost to you, Intervals is one of these applications. Designed to track time, Intervals also provides a platform for invoicing, reports, and document storage. To get to know the application and its capabilities, let's take a closer look.
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Web based applications do more than capitalize on their ability to be accessed from anywhere - they also relieve their users from the pressure of maintaining hardware and updates. With online invoicing applications not only is there a tool for invoicing for companies on the go, but also there is a solution to some of the problems of invoicing. By allowing users to recreate invoices, making sure that they are paid out in a timely manner, and uncomplicating the tracking process, online invoice applications provide a tool for the modern business. As we looked at the applications that focused on invoicing, we first selected a group that reflected the simple needs of most businesses, setting aside the applications that provide additional accounting or time tracking features for a separate review. We judged the applications on the criteria we would want ourselves for a simple invoicing application; customization, ease-of-use, and tracking. Read More »
As businesses grow there is a need for capable invoicing, preferably one that is easy to set up, mobile, and makes paying as easy as it can be for the customer. Citrus does these things with an attractive, intuitive invoicing platform with direct pay options. As we take a look at Citrus, some things become immediately clear. For a start, they understand how hard it can be to go through all the steps necessary to begin invoicing and have broken down the process for you on the Welcome Page. Read More »
Keeping up to date with invoices can be difficult, which is why some applications such as Blinksale have integrated features to help you track them. Let's walk through Blinksale to see what it has to offer. Beginning with a free account entitling us to three invoices a month, we sign in and begin to set up our account... Read More »
Billing can get caught up on the smallest of things sometimes, like putting off learning a program because of its complexity, or printing a number of invoices but not sending them out. Invoices Made Easy offers a solution to those kind of problems with its straightforward invoicing platform. Through a simple interface, online payment options, and an option to mail paper invoices, Invoices Made Easy makes invoicing easy.
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It may the most important part of any business - the part where the money comes in - so it's not surprising that there are so many applications that help manage our invoicing. This week we'll be talking about several of the applications which focus primarily on invoicing, starting with Zoho Invoices.
When we think about invoicing applications it is helpful to remember the problems they solve; the complicated tracking process, the need to recreate invoices on a scheduled basis, and to make sure that they are paid out in a timely manner. Zoho Invoice is one application that solves these problems, and adds in a few extra features that are sure to please businesses. Read More »
Whether you are managing a personal or business project, the need for organization is ever-present. Fortunately there are a number of web 2.0 applications that can help with organizing and tracking your projects. Called project management applications, these online organizers come in a variety of complexities and styles. Over the week we've talked about some of these project management tools and judged them on their interface, what features they offered, and how effective they were. Read More »
Project management applications all attempt to do the same thing, but as you might expect, some management applications are geared for enterprise users. Central Desktop is one of those, a robust application for project management with an impressive set of functions. Read More »
For artists, designers, and web professionals showcasing your work has become easier than ever, thanks to a number of tools available in web 2.0. As we went over some of these new tools one thing became immediately obvious. Not all online portfolio managers are designed for the same reason. As we put the portfolio managers through their paces we kept a number of things in mind; how customizable they were, what tools they offered, and how easy it was for the portfolio to be found. Read More »
Artists and photographers have been using online portfolio managers for some time now, but for the webmaster or designer whose projects and skills are too complicated to show in a gallery view, there are few webservices available. This is where Professional on the Web, a directory and resource for freelancers and web agencies comes in.
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File management is genuinely sweet with SugarSync, the cross-platform application that can sync multiple computers, share files, and backup files. Access your files from any location, including your mobile, and have them backed up as you go with SugarSync. Read More »
HP Labs has been working overtime to bring some innovation to publishing, and they seem to have found another area to mine in the DIY and self-publish field.
MagCloud is a tool for publishing magazines on demand, which enables small presses and publishing hopefuls an opportunity to realize what could have been an expensive dream; their own magazine. Read More »
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