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LinuxDig.Com : Linux Review : Developers – Support Techs, Get Organized with TrackStudio.
Author: HumanX | Tuesday October 12, 2004
As software projects become more worldly with developers spanning the globe, companies face the challenge of not only uniting dispersed developers but creating a system for the help desk to support that software.
From TrackStudios home page:
“TrackStudio was created as an issue tracking system for software development companies doing their business worldwide.”
Track Studios Web Site
A web based tracking system for the software industry is just what the doctor ordered for many large projects. TrackStudio delivers on power, flexibility and detail.
One of the first observations that you will notice is that TrackStudio spans beyond just development projects. TrackStudio is a capable system for practically any industry that requires project/issue management. My first thought, Construction (I also hear for Tax Returns). While reading this article, consider some of the other possibilities that TrackStudio has to offer and how it may fit into your companies framework.
The team of TrackStudio markets this product with 5 key benefits.
1.Manage Complex tasks while maintaining a support task hierarchy.
2.Fully functional Matrix Project Management and Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS)
3.Supports eMail notification, create custom fields, task filters (helping you to narrow a task), work flows and more.
4.TrackStudio's security mechanism are simple and hierarchal. From entire projects to fields in a form, project managers have control over what users see.
5.TrackStudio is a web based system which supports most major browsers, seven DBM's and five operating systems. This not only makes TrackStudio a capable product, but is cross-platform.
Note: As an example of the flexibility of TrackStudio, it also supports LDAP (Single Security Mechanism using your current security accounts making installation even easier) and Clusters.
Pricing and Installation Options
TrackStudio comes in two flavors, Enterprise and Host. The hosted version of TrackStudio is served up by “TrackStudio” relieving the administrator of all maintenance needs and is charged on a per-user basis. The Enterprise version sells for $1000 and upgrades for $300.
The Demo
The team of TrackStudio was kind enough to set me up with a demo account and let me take the system for a ride. When first logging in, you know you are playing with power. The system is laid out in a hierarchal fashion which is easy to understand and most users should be able get a handle on the application in under 30 minutes.
Most faucets of the system are just a click away and as you work your way through a project, the system templates maintain a consistent look and feel. Basically, you only need to learn how to add a project, once this has been accomplished, the consistent GUI applies across all levels of the application.
Closing
If you or your company are looking project/issue management, look no further. TrackStudios capabilities are wide and far reaching. The team of TrackStudio markets the TrackStudio product toward software development, but I see a diverse product that could help many industries requiring project/task management.
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