Hosted vs. web based project management software

People who are searching for multi-user PM software on the Web are usually confused while trying to make a choice between web-based and hosted project management solutions, so we are going to clarify this topic in the present article.

The principles of hosted versions:

What is the difference between hosted and web based project management software? Well, this question is mainly about two basic things – a way of accessing your project data, and a way of storing it. Each kind of software has a database to store and systematize your corporate data and also specific user interface to access this information and operate with it; in the first case the database of such a program can be placed on your internal office server computer (it can be shared not only in your network, but also exposed to Internet), as well as on a remote server provided by software developers, or any other third party server (the last two cases are possible only via Internet connection). Hosted solution functions in a client-server manner, meaning that its database is driven by special server component while the data is accessed and managed through special multiple client applications which automatically connect to the server component. In other words such a system consists of database and installable client applications that work on desktops of team members, making them able to share and operate with the project data. If to summarize everything mentioned before, the profile of multi-user hosted solution is the following: it can work within LAN as well as via Internet, it works through special interface provided by its own client application. 

The principles of online tools: 

The feature of web based PM package is that it is sold like a temporal web-service which can be accessed via Internet only. This means that interface of such web based software is designed with a help of special web-programming languages and visualization tools like HTML, PHP, Flash etc, so project management software web based interface needs a web-browser to be driven and used. You can visit such a web-site, make annual or monthly payment depending on number of your teammates, register their accounts and start collaborating through accessing this web-site from any place where Internet and web-browsers are available. 

There are a lot of reviews on the Web, representing solutions from very simple and free to very complex and expensive. Usually free web based project management software products offer you just a basic simple functionality like to-do lists and calendars. If you want to make a shareware comparison, then you should evaluate your business risks and decide if you want to be subjected to some more, as far as even the best web based project management software can appear just unreachable when your Internet connection is down. In other words, no matter if you are going to use free or paid service – anyway you risk security of your business data. However, web-based tools are convenient for virtual teams where all team members are working in different locations. 

Example

VIP Task Manager is a client-server system which interconnects project performers and their supervisors in terms of planning and assigning project tasks and further ongoing control to identify project progress or to find signs of defections in team performance. This tool can be installed over your company’s LAN to let your office workers collaborate at their tasks and schedules, but also can be accessed via Internet (when your server has static IP address).