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May 24, 1999 Web Communication Framework improves collaboration tools By Brian Riggs Related links: Collaboration On The Web Networking Resource Center And from our sister publications: Network Computing Outsourcing Will Tempt Many ramework Technologies Corp. this week is shipping a version of its Web communications and collaboration software aimed at streamlining product design and project management. Framework's ActiveProject is a Windows NT platform that combines E-mail, scheduling, database queries, and file transfers. It lets companies set up interactive Web sites to manage projects. Using a browser interface, end users and project managers can share documents, post graphics and photos, interact with other project members, and alert participants to changes. ActiveProject 5.0 adds online conferencing to the mix, letting project participants launch online conferences based on Microsoft NetMeeting. Members can simultaneously view, mark up, and comment on documents, and when finished archive their session. The Massachusetts Port Authority is using ActiveProject to replace fax and E-mail communications between contractors, engineers, and managers involved in the remodeling of its primary parking structure. However, sending and receiving faxes is time consuming and expensive, and E-mail has limitations, says Port Authority project manager Ken Johnson. "We have file-size limits on our E-mail system, so we cannot send out high-resolution graphics or digital photos," he says. An extranet running ActiveProject has been set up that will let a contractor, for example, drag and drop a report or a digital photo into a folder and automatically post it to the Web site. Johnson plans to use the conferencing feature to set up NetMeeting sessions between designers, contractors, and Port Authority personnel, some of whom work remotely. He's also expecting a 20% decrease in administrative time, which promises to help his team manage time more effectively. Says Johnson, "If I can buy myself a few extra hours each week, that means I can get involved in a greater level of detail on each one." Back to This Week's Issue Send Us Your Feedback Top of the Page Home | Career | Financials | Date Book Resource Centers | Search | Subscriptions