Collaboration:  

Easy Projects.NET has a highly functional dashboard that gives users access to projects, assignees, activities, issues, over budget activities, messages and more. Though it does not offer a “forum” per say, it has a message board that fulfills this function and it has email integration. It can import from MS Project and can easily import and export CSV type files. Of course it also offers useful features like timelines, calendars, time logs and associated charts and reports as well.

And as mentioned, this is a truly remote tool; since it is web-based it can be accessed from anywhere, so projects can be completed efficiently and easily, whether you have an in-house team or a global team.

We tested the hosted version on a PC running Windows XP and it ran great and did not give us any problems with remote logging in. We really enjoyed the fact that it can be logged in to from anywhere, so the problems associated with leaving your task list on your desk at the office and other common, minor annoyances can easily be avoided. A program like Easy Projects.NET leaves little room for slow downs caused by simple forgetfulness or miscommunication.

Resource Management:  

In terms of resources as people or team members this program does pretty well. However, though it can easily assign tasks to various team members and can keep track of attached, associated files, we didn’t see a “talent” or “skill” section. You can however, assign notes to a particular team member or add customized sections, so if you have a large team and need to search through member for the best person to complete a particular task you can easily find the right team member for the job.

However, we did not see a tool for keeping track of resources that are not team members or files. For example, if you wanted to include physical items related to the project like a computer, a video camera, a projector or company car even, we did not see this feature. But it can be added, since you can add customized options or you can purchase the source code version and alter it as much as you want.

Project Management:  

This is the section that we looked the most deeply at, since project management should be the main function of the program, and Easy Projects .NET did fairly well in this area. It includes many ways to track and report tasks, schedules and team members.

It includes useful filters for sorting information and most screens have charts for at-a-glance updates and the time logs include things like duration, progress, billable hours and you can even search by range or project, so you can easily look through the history of a team member to help give you a realistic figure for estimated hours to complete a project and more.

Easy Projects.NET also offers numerous types of reports, including resource, billing, project, milestones and Gantt charts as well as the ability to generate customized reports. It can also help you watch things like the budget, billable hours and you can easily track issues and communicate either directly or through the message board. It also can automatically send out email notifications, which we found particularly useful.

We did not see a risk/benefit analyzer or capacity planner, but few programs offer these tools. And currently the program is only available in English and does not offer a mobile or cell phone version. Though many cell phones such as the iPhone, the G1 and the Blackberry Storm can display web pages very well and might be able to give you full access to this project management service.

Ease of Use:  

We found Easy Projects.NET pretty easy to use and it includes a quick project start tool. Through the quick start tool you can easily add a new project, project description, team members, assign tasks and attach files in a matter of minutes. And the program will send out an email notification so the team members are aware of the new project and their responsibilities right away.

Since we tested the hosted version of this program we did not have to worry about a complicated download or server install and the hosted version automatically updates itself so you don’t have to worry about not having the latest version.

Help/Support:  

This project management tool offers extensive online support files as well as a downloadable version. Logic Software also offers online chat support, FAQs, tutorials, tips and tricks, a forum and more. We found the help files extremely useful. The hosted version comes with free support and the self-installed licensed visions require a support package of around $40/year for one license. We did notice that their chat support was not 24-hr, but that is not unusual.

Easy Projects.NET is a capable collaboration and project management program and we liked the simplicity and convenience of the hosted version, which at only $15/user per month is an affordable option that offers plenty of room for expansion should your company require it.

Of course Easy Projects.NET is in an extremely competitive market and has to compete with other popular and powerful products, though if you are looking for an alternative try it out for free and watch their previews, you have nothing to lose by looking. But definitely take the opportunity to compare it with our higher ranked online project management products, @task, Daptiv PPM, and Clarizen. Or take a look at our reviews of project management software.