Simple PM tool vs. system

What is the difference between simple project management tool and system ? Tool is an instrument for a single user who takes care himself of project planning and controlling (in other words it is for the project manager only), while system is a network-based solution allowing a group of users to collaborate at project operations as a team. Striking example of single-user project management tool is MS Project which, however, is not a simple PM tool , but rather very complicated one. As an example we can mention MS Outlook with its task management capabilities. 

There are different technologies used in this sphere, for example there is a lot of Web based solutions which allow working in single-user mode, and also sharing to-do lists among multiple online users. Such services are very convenient for virtual teams where people access the system at different time and from different places, but for stable workgroups where people work within the same office everyday any Internet-based solution is not acceptable, because if the Internet connection is down the data becomes unreachable. Some websites are widely used by students in their projects. Another critical aspect for choosing project management software is your operating system, because there are different solutions like Mac , Linux, or Windows operated tools . 

Also there are alternative solutions like open source tools and systems which allow users with advanced skills in programming to modify their program code to design own solutions on basis of provided samples. Usually people use Excel spreadsheet to manage their project tasks and jobs, because this tool enables not only listing of tasks, but also describing them with any number of attributes, but due to outdates technology of file sharing this solution isn’t fully effective.

Besides all this, there are many commercial  simple project management systems  designed for small and medium-business owners who do not need any capabilities for programming etc, but seek for effective and easy-to-use programs, like one presented in the following paragraph.

VIP Task Manager is a real-time system for planning and controlling tasks in different projects through using three adjustable modes (Task List, Task Tree and Calendar) and analyzing performance of the workgroup in order to identify project evolution.