InLoox

InLoox
Developer(s) InLoox
Stable release 8.0 / April 1st, 2014
Operating system Microsoft Windows
Type Project management software
License EULA
Website InLoox Website

InLoox is a project management software company, engineering software solutions for project planning, resource management, project document management, mind mapping and project accounting that both integrate into Microsoft Outlook and the Web. InLoox, Inc. is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. They are represented in Europe by a separate enterprise (InLoox GmbH) located in Munich.

Basic concept

InLoox PM for Outlook is integrated into the collaboration software Microsoft Outlook, augmenting features for project management and collaboration. Gantt planning functionality is combined with CRM and accounting functionality. The main focus of InLoox PM are small and medium-sized projects.

User base

According to the manufacturer, more than 45,000 users in the US, North America and around the world currently work with InLoox software solutions. Their user base includes 20 percent of the companies that are listed on the German blue chip stock market DAX. The software is available in various languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, and Russian.

Technology and strategy

The complete integration in Outlook can be seen as a specialty of InLoox PM, enabling the use of calendar, contact and email data for project management. The manufacturer claims to have recognized that the integration increases the acceptance of users for project management software in corporate environments. However, InLoox PM is by far not the only solution automating and streamlining business processes with the use of Microsoft Outlook: SAP and Microsoft take a comparable approach with their joint venture „Duet“. But in contrast to Duet, InLoox integrates the whole business process into Outlook.

Similar to Microsoft CRM, InLoox stores ongoing projects in a SQL database. In 2007 the manufacturer InLoox decided to redesign the system from the core. Previous versions (2.x - 4.x) used Microsoft Exchange public folders or Personal Folders (.pst) files for data storage. Microsoft’s announcements of moving away from Exchange public folders might have been be the cause for switching to SQL.

Since version 5 InLoox can be hosted on Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server or MySQL respectively. According to manufacturer information there are interfaces to Microsoft Project, Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server. InLoox 6 also supports Microsoft Project 2007.

InLoox also offers the online project software InLoox PM Web App which is available in version 7. This web client enables project teams to connect via Internet and to work on projects together while being on the move. Since June 2013, the producer launched the InLoox Mobile Apps for iPhone and for Android devices.

SaaS solution

In 2012, InLoox started the SaaS solution InLoox now! The Cloud technology enables customers to use InLoox PM Web App even if they do not have their own server and without requiring software installation. InLoox now! is platform- and device-independent and it is compatible with various popular Internet browsers. Unlike the classic licensing model, an access to InLoox now! is leased during the contract period and includes installation, on-going support and software upgrades.

See also

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