It has been an exciting year that passed by which marked the release of Zoho Projects 2.0.

During the first two quarters we rolled out few enhancements, bug fixes and worked to make Projects 2.0 a feature-rich app packed with an easy-to-use interface. The new release was spiced up with few teasers to gear up the momentum. It was an instant hit and well received with an overwhelming response from our users.

Announcing Social Way to Get Things Done : Zoho Projects 2.0

Ah ! there were really encouraging tweets from users about ZP2.0 release like :

The one compared us with Basecamp

 So, Zoho Projects is basically a BaseCamp killer? Looks interesting. http://blogs.zoho.com/general/projects20 - samharrelson

Talks about the ease of use

 "I recommend Zoho Projects for Project Management Collaborations. Fast, Neat and Easy. Besides, its fun to shoot tasking arrows in there " - keizng

A real good compliment to cherish

 The best project management tool I came across lately http://projects.zoho.com/ - Pongra

   A Wow ! feel of the new Projects 2.0

 " Wow! New 'social' layout for @zoho projects - even has a search - so far so good! Thanks Zoho Team! " - officeassist

and more....

2009 has given a lot of value for our product. We got some good feedback about how the product helped customers expand their business even in midst of an economic slump. Zoho Projects 2.0 release was aimed towards getting things done (GTD) faster so you spend quality time at work which adds more value for a work-life balance.

Apart from the major 2.0 release we also added features like Collaborate via Email, Task Details Page, Developer API for Projects. Integrating various Google based applications has been a trend at Zoho and we too followed this by integrating Zoho Projects for Google Apps.

Announcing Zoho Projects Integration with Google Apps

This integration helped Google users to extend project management and collaboration capabilities of Zoho Projects within Google Apps which got a good coverage by web2.0 media blogs like TechCrunch, LifeHacker, WebWorkerDaily.

I would like to say thank you to everyone who have made it possible for us to reach where we are now and hope this trend continues even beyond 2010.

Here at Zoho Projects, we work towards simplifying your teamwork, run projects like a charm and collaborate with a geographically separated team with ease.

The list of important updates in 2009

Task Details and Overdue Milestones View

All Tasks List View and Few Enhancements

Add Task Notes, Log Time from My Timesheet and View Unread Chats

The blog mentions of 2009

LifeHacker :   Top 10 Web Collaboration Tools (That Aren't Google Wave)

Reuters : Zoho links Project Management Tool with Google Apps

The AppGap : Zoho Projects 2.0 Enhances the Social Side of Project Management

Ben McCallums Blog : Zoho Projects Review

WebWorkerDaily : Manage Projects Online Without Breaking the Bank Using Zoho Projects 2.0

PCMag.com : The Telecommuter's Tech ToolBox

Looking forward for an exciting 2010...

  23. Sridhar Vembu, Founder and CEO, Zoho
Being an innovator means upsetting the status quo. That's exactly what Sridhar Vembu has done at Zoho, delivering at last count 19 online business applications. It's that applications muscle that is allowing solution providers to move businesses of all sizes to the cloud. The company feeling the most heat from the Zoho online applications offensive is Microsoft. That's because Zoho has even moved to provide plug-ins like a Zoho Plugin for Microsoft Office and Microsoft SharePoint. Zoho has done the same with Google, integrating Zoho Projects with Google Apps. Vembu has even moved to make it easier for customers to run Zoho applications in the data center with a pact with VMware.

CRN unveiled the list of 25 most innovative CEOs of 2009. It is pleasure to know Zoho (Our) CEO Sridhar Vembu one among them. Other notable CEOs who made it to the list where from Skype, Google Apps, Google Wave, Amazon, Nvidia, Brocade.

For more details see http://www.crn.com/it-channel/221900238;jsessionid=HNDURGBQBAWU3QE1GHPSKHWATMY32JVN?pgno=1

Looking for a project management and collaboration tool to manage your projects in a social way ?

Here goes the reasons why you should choose Zoho Projects.

• Administrator : who is the portal owner and needs to customize the entire portal for teams
• Team Member : for users like Manager, Developers, Testers, Designers that form the core team
• Clients : clients with limited access over the project
  

10. Track your Progress
Zoho Projects gives you visibility into how your project is doing at all times. From the Dashboard you can see what tasks are due next what people have been working on. If you need more detailed information, the built-in reports (Gantt Charts) presents the information you need about open/closed tasks, milestones and more.

9. Collaborate with Projects via Email
We feel that collaborating via email in Zoho Projects will be extremely useful for virtual teams as this encourages informal communication and team building. You can post comments, add documents, notes for meetings and tasks all through an email in Zoho Projects.

8. Integration with Google Apps
Google Apps customers can now take advantage of Zoho Projects and its collaboration and project management benefits. Zoho Projects for Google Apps creates a rich, integrated experience for Google Apps users that includes single sign-on, integration with Google Docs and Google Calendar plus the ability to embed Zoho Projects information directly inside iGoogle, Gmail and Google Sites.

7. Import Microsoft MPP files
Zoho Projects offers a way to import your MPP / MPX project files into Zoho Projects. You can plan your project in Microsoft, import them and collaborate using Zoho Projects.

6. Interactive Discussion Boards
Project forums are interactive message boards where you can put a topic up for discussion and let ideas flow back and forth. Unlike emails, all the forum topics are available at a central location and is easily accessible by anyone involved in the group project. By exchanging information with colleagues can make big ideas come alive.

5. View and Edit files using award winning Zoho Office suite
You can bulk upload project documents, make Zoho Projects your online repository and organize in different folders your project documents. And, because Zoho Projects is integrated with Zoho Office, you can quickly create documents, spreadsheets and presentations directly on your browser, without having to install (or pay for!) any additional software.

4. Variety of Task Options
Project tasks and tasks lists make it easy to keep your work items and project deliverables organized and manageable, all in one centralized and easy-to-access location. You can monitor the status of tasks, assign tasks to members, send email reminders and track progress of your project.

3. Improved Collaboration with Wiki and Chat
Through our set of collaborative tools, it is easier than ever to get the entire team on the same page. You can centrally post and share files, create a project "intranet" with the built-in Wiki, hold a discussion board and much more. The always-on built-in chat room allows everyone on the project to quickly come together to discuss important topics and make decision faster.

2. Fast, Reliable and Secure
We have taken many different steps to help ensure the safety of your data. This includes Physical Security practices (like 7x24x365 security, video monitoring, biometric access, bullet-resistant walls), Network Security (encryption, intrusion detection/prevention), People Processes and Redundancy/Business Continuity.

1. Affordable Price
There are no long-term commitments or hidden charges when you use Zoho Projects. You can sign up as a monthly customer, and use our services for as long as you need. Canceling your account is a hassle-free, one-click process. 

Zoho Projects allows having unlimited users even for the free plan. Check out Zoho Projects Pricing Plans.

What are you waiting for ?  Try Zoho Projects now for all your project management and collaboration needs...