Action Item Manager is a web-based collaboration and project management software made by Softalot in Seattle. It is designed to do what it is supposed to do and get out of your way, a refreshing change form the ultra-customizable systems where users can easily get lost.

Right from the start, Action Item Manager is attractive: the user interface is efficient without being too flashy or hard to understand. We were seduced by the fluidity of the menus and how simple it is to figure out what to do.

The main screen simply contains a pimped-out to-do list, with the usual columns for data. However, the interesting part is the usability: simply double-click on a task and it will be highlighted at the bottom of the screen.

This neat tab-based task edition system proves that user interfaces can hold a lot of information and retain their fluidity. Basic task information, time, files, time and expenses can are all be entered for each task, then exported to an Excel® file for reporting.

We especially liked how easy it was to enter time and expenses related to a task. Another neat feature is the Email Manager check box, which permits users to decide whether to tell their boss about a task update.

Most of all, we really appreciated not having to go to another screen to make changes to a task: it’s surprising how well the screen real estate is used in Action Item Manager’s main screen: only configuration options are on another screen.

If one wants to customize the system, its ASP/VBscript files are available to the savvy administrator.

Action Item Manager administrators will like how fast and how little configuration there is to do: simply type in usernames, password and email addresses, and that’s it!

Access rights are just as simple: read, write, access to reports. Nothing more. This is ideal for simple projects where team members work within a matrix-type organizational structure.

Action Item Manager is tailored for organizations looking for a fast, convenient task management system but refuse to spend time configuring it. Teams scattered across large geographical areas will find value in a system that bears almost no cost in time to setup.

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