OrgPlus Live: Org Charts Aren’t Boring!
John Biggs
22 comments »
It’s always a little weird when a stodgy-sounding task goes all Web 2.0. Case in point, creating organizational charts. Software vendor Human Concepts makes OrgPlus, the go-to app for such an activity and
OrgPlus Live is the new Web-based version of said software. Don’t think you need org charts? Well, maybe it’s just that you don’t know any better.
Of course some of the goals for creating an org chart is to get a visual idea of your company’s structure, building project teams and keeping track of everyone’s role and contact information as your organization changes. But org charts can be used for laying out projects, setting up a bookmaking operation a gentleman’s NCAA office pool, beer-pong tournament (thanks Lisa!) and even planning out teams for a sports league—basically anything that needs structure and order. Think Visio online.
OrgPlus Live brings the org-chart strengths from the Windows-based software (with pricing that starts at $189.95) and applies them to a Web-based version that can be used on any platform thanks to the miracles of Flash. Drag-and-drop creation, easy text input and field editing, a simple, intuitive interface, solid security, the ability to import existing data from Excel and more is now available for fees as low as $9.99 a month. It’s in beta (like the rest of the Internets), but in my brief time with it, things appear to be pretty stable. And if you still don’t see how useful it can be, I dare you to try it out for yourself—there’s a 14-day free trial with nothing to install or download.
It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it. So at least do it with style
http://www.cogmap.com - build an org chart for free.
At least with SOX requirements (for public companies), organizational charts are a requirement and requested during audits & sas 70 engagements.
Nice. Seen Gliffy? It’s kind of like Visio on the web too. http://www.gliffy.com
Biggs - huge thanks for the review. It means a ton to us.
@ N.Cauldwell
I like cogmap’s idea. And we are watching it closely. But I think that people want to have the ability to have their chart privately (even if it costs a little). For those that want to make their charts public, we will provide publishing very soon.
Mr “eyebag guy”? Please, for the love of God stop spamming your stuff all over the place k? Whether you know it or not, it’s embarrassing. For you.
hmm, only 14 days? Kinda short to try out.. but I’ll give it a try.
And since they are the only ones doing this online… and in such a manner, I supposed the $190 price point is valid.
oh yeah, and someone ban Eyebag Guy for comment spam.
Aren’t Orgcharts just a feature that you use a couple times a year? For my minimalist needs, PowerPoint and/or Visio work just great….Why I should pay extra for something like this? Looks like a nicely done implementation, but not for me, sorry - nor I do think a huge exist is possible for a feature company like this.
@Jessica
I agree that 14 days is short. We will bump it up to 45 soon. It’s a little misunderstanding about the price. OrgPlus LIVE accounts start at $9.95/month.
@ ChandraB
You’ll be surprised. Play around, you might like it.
Interesting idea. It would be interesting to see if they plan to target other niche business tools.
They could also layer in social tools within it and even work with LinkedIn to create org charts for large organizations for research purposes… I for one would like to see how different companies approach organization and see how they create their internal reporting structures.
I could see this being a good solution for park districts, people who organize teams, etc. Maybe they could integrate with sports organizations and league websites or something.
I have to admit, I still think organizational charts are boring
but it seems logical for people who need it, I guess.
i made 9 org charts today, in powerpoint.
i would have shot myself if i had to use that slow-ass website. nice idea, but smells like the dead pool to me.
Why not just use Gliffy? It can do org charts and more?
@david mackey
do you work for gliffy?
Why does this tech-crunch writeup read like the copy for a late night infomercial?
Techcrunch’s editorial style has been taking a turn for the worse. I think it’s about time that Techcrunch post a brief synopsis of their editorial values and principles.
Yes they are.
Seems a little expensive for the it’s functionality
That’s a very good point, ekc. I think all blogs that review products/sites etc. should post their editorial values and principles. Honestly, I’m surprised TechCrunch doesn’t do so.