Anjay – WORKetc has an export function that allows you to download all your data as CSV files, as well invoicing into Quicken.

Worketc does not seem to have option for user backup / export to some database.

Paul

As I outlined above, we are still working on tool sub set that would allow clients to log in and view their projects. The issue we have come up against is that every WORKetc customers wants to only allow their clients to see certain aspects of a project and then their employees/contractors another part. Hence it is tricky putting together a system that allows WORKetc customers to turn on and off project subsets at a customer level and have that different for every customer.

I’ve been searching for an online project management solution that would allow collaboration and interaction with clients on their particular projects. I want clients to be able to log on and see an easy-to-interpret status on their projects. They should also be able to add additional tasks and ask questions while logged in.

The interface must be simple, streamlined and powerful.

I like this software and would consider it over several web-based “single” or “dual” services I’m currently using and the project management web-based solution I’m currently seeking.

The monthly fee is within range for my freelance business — if it meets my needs.

The questions I have are:

Can it work in the manner I need with subcontractors (to whom I should be able to assign tasks with calendar and email reminders)?

Can I subscribe via GCal to the milestones and events based on the person responsible for the task?

Does the timesheet offer an online “timer” or punchclock option? (I currently use Cashboard for timer and invoicing and love it.) Without this, I’d have to double enter from a freestanding timer and that’s a waste of time.

If it will do these things, I’ll sign up immediately!

Finding a good, all around web-based office solution for web workers that collaborate with others would be a wonderful thing for my business model.

Scott – thanks again for your support.

IMO for around $40 a month, without a real trial period I won’t consider to try it. Sorry folks.

Am really looking forward to seeing where you take WORKetc, I think it’s extremely well done.

SB

The free trial has been a contentious issue and a source of ongoing debate at WORKetc.

Firstly (and a minor point really) our current merchant provider doesn’t offer a flexible enough API to take a card number and auto charge at the end of the free trial period. This is how most web services offer their free trial.

To get around our payment gateway’s limitation, we needed to charge the card first off, and then offer a full refund inside of 14 days. We’ll reintroduce the free trial once we have enough volume to switch to a mainstream provider.

The second issue, is that getting started with WORKetc requires a level of commitment. When we were running version 1 of the software with a free trial, we found that thousands of accounts were being created, but little follow through to actually spend the time understanding and using the software. What we are finding now is that once a person is committed to entering their credit card details, they are committed to spending time learning the software and customizing/uploading data.

I too was surprised at the lack of a free trial – they are fairly ubiquitous for a web service these days.

SB

As for this particular example, the lack of a free trial seems a little weak. It’s a big commitment to switch systems like this, and without the cost-free option to run this system in parallel with any existing one(s) for a balanced comparison, I will be sitting it out for a while.