Collaboration made easy with online database applications

Gone are the days, when you used spreadsheets for reporting data. Online collaborative tools have been changing the way we work with different teams spread across geographical areas. The scope of this analysis is limited to online collaborative tools and does not include “Groupware”. I have put together a table which compares diffierent tools on various parameters.

I have been using this online tool called “Intuit QuickBase” for couple of years now and I think, this is really a great tool. For those who are new to this, Quickbase Customizable online workgroup application for distributed teams. My experience with Quickbase has been great, it allowed me to easily create application and start tracking it immediately. Now, I don’t want to start explaining all the features and this article end up becoming Quickbase blog help. But, I would definitely like to list key learning from Quickbase usage.

1. Design Table and/or application
a. Easy for anyone to create applications ( you can enjoy lacking database design experience)
2. Customization
a. You can customize applications tables and roles easily
3. Administration
a. Manage users and start inviting them to use the application,
b. Every users who logs-in and make changes to the application becomes the record owner
4. User Interface
a. Right click options enable quick change of look and feel as well as data representation
b. Grid Edit: on top left corner “List All” report. Enables spreadsheet functionality on
HTML page. I loved this functionality
5. Reporting
a. Amazingly simplified version with private and public mode
6. Data handling
a. Easy Import and export to various formats
7. Online Help, support center and discussion forums enable you to learn on your own

Some of the apprehension I encountered with QB are
1. Stopping duplicate record entry
2. Little expensive then other tools

Exhaustive list about online database/collaborative tools can be found at
http://thinkofit.com/webconf/workspaces.htm
http://www.chin.gc.ca/English/Knowledge-Exchange/collaborative-tools.php