ActionThis updates
Posted on 21 November 2007 by Derek WatsonThe ActionThis team has been working hard to regularly bring new features to our users since launch and we have another set ready to be released now.
To make these features available we are going to be releasing an update outside our advertised change window tonight (approx. Tuesday 8pm PST). We will keep the outage as short as possible, but apologies in advance to anyone who is affected by unavailability of the site during this time.
Following the next scheduled release on the 25th of November, we are moving to a 2 week release cycle with a firm committment to not releasing outside the advertised change window again. Making this change will not affect the number of new features we incorporate in the product, but it will reduce the rate of churn.
Derek Watson, CTO
Outlook Integration Video
Posted on 20 November 2007 by Ed RobinsonActionThis is a great team management system using the website alone. If you use Outlook, the ActionThis client makes assigning action items as simple as email. For a one minute overview of the Outlook client, see this video:
https://my.actionthis.com/private/Downloads/atOutlookVideo.wmv
Ed Robinson
Filed under: General View comments (0)Updates coming in two days
Posted on 19 November 2007 by Ed RobinsonNo site update today, we need two more days to finish some features:
1. Forums + the ability to comment on blogs
2. A better downloads area
3. Improvements to filtering, formatting and mailing of the workload and status reports
4. Smarter connect pane and minor improvements to the Outlook 2007 client
5. Better merging of email aliases and organization management
6. Fixes to some issues around adding comments to action items
This release will go live Tuesday night PST.
So - I assigned 5 action items out for ActionThis to follow up on, how did they do? 4 came in on time, and the forums still need to be done. 80% on time leaves some room for improvement, but that's what we're all about - executing and improving.
What we're working on next: Outlook 2003 client, Safari browser support and some other productivity extensions for Microsoft Office.
Ed Robinson
Filed under: General View comments (0)Updates to ActionThis
Posted on 14 November 2007 by Ed RobinsonWe rolled out updates to ActionThis last night:
- A number of bug fixes to the website
- Stabilized the Outlook 2007 client, and fixed the Outlook restart issues
- Added the ability for people to delete their accounts
- Revamped the organization management section, so you can upgrade/downgrade your account
- Added a user guide for the Outlook 2007 client
- Provided a smaller "update" download at 3Mb. If you've already installed the full version of the Outlook 2007 client once, then the prerequisites will be in place. Simply install this update (without uninstalling the full version) to install the update.
If you have Outlook 2007, try using the ActionThis client - it makes assigning and working with ActionThis action items as simple as email.
Ed Robinson
Filed under: General View comments (0)Updates coming this weekend
Posted on 09 November 2007 by Ed RobinsonWe’re preparing for another upgrade Sunday night Nov 11th PST. The major changes are simplifications to organization management and bug fixes.
We also isolated cases where the Outlook client caused Outlook 2007 to restart. We’ve fixed these issues. We’ve also improved the Outlook client's experience synchronizing and working with non-Exchange mailboxes. There are now two versions of the client to download – full install and update. the full install contains all the prerequisites and is intended for first time installers. The update is smaller and doesn’t contain the prerequisites, after installing the full version once, you can simply install the update to get the latest features. We’re also adding a user guide for the Outlook client to help new users get started.
Whew! Lots of work but the application is looking great.
Next up, we’re improving some of the reporting, the email formatting, bringing the forums online and we’re working day-and-night on the Outlook 2003 client, it should be ready soon. If you'd like to try out an early version of the Outlook 2003 client, please let us know by sending an action item to support@actionthis.com
Ed Robinson
Filed under: General View comments (0)Presenting at the Connect springboard Showcase event
Posted on 05 November 2007 by Tim HowellLast week we presented at the Connect Springboard Showcase, an event for early stage companies run by Connect New Zealand and the New Zealand Venture Capital Association.
According to the organizers, the event featured “early-stage technology and life science companies - a showcase of what we believe are some of the most promising, innovative early-stage companies that have the potential to become significant players in New Zealand's technology sector.”
It was a great opportunity for us to get out there and talk to other companies across a broad range of industries, and also gave us the opportunity to explain the benefits of ActionThis to the group of 120+ people at the event.
Tim Howell, CMO
Filed under: General View comments (0)Make your Week Easier
Posted on 05 November 2007 by Ed RobinsonTry this, it takes 10 minutes and will make your week easier
Many of us spend half our work-week simply following up with people. This week, try using ActionThis to help. Choose 5 things you’re waiting on from other people – these might be emails you’re waiting for a reply, or assignments due this week.
Now assign each of these to the people you’re waiting on as ActionThis action items. Let ActionThis keep track of these for you. It doesn’t matter if the recipient isn’t already a member of ActionThis, they will be prompted to sign up.
When I send an action item to someone for the first time, I usually choose an action item that people are already aware of, so it acts as a reminder to something they’ve already agreed. I usually keep my action items short – a subject line and a due date, but the choice is yours – the more unambiguous information you give people – the more likely they will complete it on time.
Here are the five I sent out today, I’ll let you know the results next week.
- Remember to set up a time to speak on the phone, I’m available Monday 12pm,1pm or 2pm to Tim W, due Monday
- Schedule two days vacation for each of the team as a thank you for shipping, to Derek W, due Tuesday
- Update Schwizzler Text. To Aaron S due Monday
- Provide sketches for the IdeaLog article. To Mark D, due Monday
- Get the Forums up and running. To DerekW, due Wednesday
With ActionThis, I can track the status of these items from the “My Follow up” tab in the dashboard, or set up a custom report view to email me the status every day.
Ed Robinson, CEO ActionThis
Filed under: General View comments (0)