Outlook Add-in / Integration

I think this would be awesome from a functional standpoint. I use/love outlook and this would make life easier.
I voted for it and would love it.

I am excited to see the possibility of this feature.

What I wonder is, if there will be a way to control or limit what syncs. For example, do I really want ALL of my records to sync into outlook? Not sure how that works, but curious.

Looking forward...

Karen

I would LOVE this because I work all day in Outlook.

Duane

I would love this.

I would like to see the accounts outstanding from here, and be able to send the invoice.

Also, it would be good to be able to forward any emails we have sent a client from worketc previously.

I sure hope others chime in here! It is a serious pain to have to enter contacts manually from WorkEtc to Outlook. If the contacts and calender (at a bare minimum) would keep in sync that would ROCK!!!

YES PLEASE! But please make sure it is Mac compatible!

Yes, would love this capability.

I think being able to sync up with and or integrate with Outlook would make this already capable tool even more powerful. Although I am now unifying most of my business under WORKetc. my email capabilities are still separate, and any way I can bring those closer together would be great. It gets my vote.

Check out Xobni (www.xobni.com - Inbox backwards). They do a great job of integration, and may provide some ideas for implementation and integration, such as social media links.

One of the things that can really help salespeople is to have a tool that keeps contact information up-to-date, such as Jigsaw or other similar services. This could be part of the Outlook tool or not.

Outlook, like it or not, has become the de facto email server/client application.

Given it overlaps so much with what WORKetc does - at least as far as contacts, emails, calender and tasks is concerned - it makes sense to allow operators to continue to work in the application thay are familier with and already use on a daily basis.

A plug-in that exploits the best of both would be gold!

Craig is right, Xobni (although unrelated in functionality) is a great example of how a well designed and well implemented plug-in can work.

Look forward to seeing a similar level of quality in the design and implementation of the WORKetc plug-in.

Go team!
Get it done!

Gets my vote, as does Xobni.

We just signed up with Work Etc., we are very excited and look forward to the integration with Outlook.
Right now our small company is using Outlook for everything.
Which means we are all on separate computers, not knowing what conversations have happened with anyone else in the company and our customer.
Having it all in Work Etc. would be awesome, we really need this!
Do you have an ETA on this?

Nancie

Nancie's situation is very similar to ours We moved to Google Apps to try and solve this problem. It's better but far from ideal. I'm looking at Worketc to get it right for us.

I know that there is a separate use-case to justify the Outlook add-in (I might be bitter since I am mainly on a Mac)., but part of the integration issue is already addressed in the Calendar sync. WETC can synchronize (both ways) with your Google iCal or Exchange Calendar. I think there is a plan to implement CardDAV so that contacts can also be synched with Google and Exchange on the server. Once this is done, everyone will be able to have calendars and contacts nicely and neatly synch'ed across all systems.

Now as far as attaching conversations to a contacts from Outlook, I think that is where the specific Outlook Add-in comes in.
I know that WETC is not able to use custom SMTP servers (I have it set to use my own server and my customers do not know that I am using WETC to be so responsive and efficient - I cannot hide the excitement!!!). Maybe if WETC decided to use IMAP to read headers from employee email accounts, then a walk-around to the outlook thing would be to avail a list of new emails with contact association suggested (based on address fields) and project/ticket/task association suggested (based on subject ID [#x-xxxx] and have the email account owner checkbox and import messages that need to be stored within WETC as permanent records in the CRM). SugarCRM does thing and it makes employees lie in he CRM since they have no more reasons to check email elsewhere

Integration with Outlook/Outlook Exchange is instrumental in managing large, complex projects with a project team. It allows all of us to keep on top of new deliverables and schedule time to work on various tasks in real time. The ability to manage and work on projects through Outlook was one of the features that made Work, Etc., work so well for our business model, and something that we recommend to many of our clients who have mobile and virtual workforces. It is impractical to have to stop and log into Work, Etc., from the road, versus getting notifications from my phone that there is something that will need my attention. Being able to tell my PM to send me a task, and know that it will be tracked through Work, Etc., and through my Outlook task manager helps me to work efficiently.

My project manager can also monitor our capacity when scheduling new projects. At this time, she has to look at the Outlook calendar then, back at the Work, Etc., calendar to be able to know how much time I can dedicate to a particular project.

Additionally, while the feature is not yet available, being able to sync a specific set of contacts is extremely helpful in avoiding double-entry and keeping the most up-to-date information on contacts and companies at my fingertips. I continually run into the problem of adding contact info to a contact that was created via an email in Work, Etc., then searching for the contact while on the road and realizing that the contact never made it to my Outlook database.

Finally, when creating tasks in Outlook by grabbing an email and dragging it to the task area allows me to create tasks and events very efficiently. With the sync, I can simply go through my Task List in Work, Etc., and assign the task to the appropriate company or project.

I agree fully with Rick. The ability to have a mobile workfore coordinated is crucial to business. This becomes even more important if they are in areas where there is limited or no internet connection and everything have to be done by phone.

I seriously would like this feature - any idea when it will come out? SOON?

Hi, it´s a great idea and a very functional solution.

But what about the new Outlook 2011 for Mac? Are you considering this version? We´re Mac users and we don´t want to resign to this feature.

Thanks in advance!!

Best Regards,

Juan Carlos

Yes! I also want to see this feature come out soon!!!!

I'm excited for this feature too, I think I'm just excited for most new features you guys come out with! If/when you need Beta Testing on Office 2011 (Mac) I'm all in!

Yep.. this would be key to multiple users in our organization who do not want to use Google Calendar. So far, this is the only thing missing from a long list of criteria we're using to find the right solution for our company.

Figured out how to sync Outlook calendar to Worketc. ...see Google my posts here: http://eversparkinteractive.worketc.com/Community/Forums?Message=3159

In case it hasn't been suggested (doubtful, but I couldn't find it on here), a workaround for syncing Outlook Contacts is exporting as Excel from Outlook and importing into Worketc. Just did it and worked fine. Just make sure all your Outlook contacts are named correctly (company, name, etc.) or you'll end up updating them manually in Worketc.

Any update on this project? I'd be happy to run a beta or even alpha version. Even a proof of concept code set would really help out. We are a cloud software company too so we don't mind working with early code.

Are you still working on this?

Or have you switched focus to Google Mail permanently?

Thanks!

AWESOME!

Duane

Great news.

Stuart

Awesome, Dan! Looking forward to this one, too!

I am very excited for this!

outlook connection is imperative. i have nothing but problems with google apps. the new outlook 2010 is actually please let us have a solution as soon as possible! the sugarcrm integration works seemlessly, but i do not want to go to that stuffy side of the crm world.

Hi Dan,

outlook integration looks great. where we can find the plugins ? How about the cost for it? is it already included on monthly payment ? thank you

HI Dan,

We want to stop using Microsoft Outlook,
it woudl be great if you could have a email client to allow users to be doing incomign and outgoing emails right inside WorkEtc keeping everyone, everything in one place

the problem with outlook, they also offer CRM
so if you have sales team you use WorkEtc to email out and Outlook to receive...

Just my two cents..

I really like your product...
Oscar

A feature like this would be ideal.

I need something I can access on-the-run, in any environment, and eliminates of redundancy in work.

It doesn't make sense for me to run all my communication through WORKetc - but I hate having to go back and forth between Outlook and WORKetc to keep contact info updated. Between the two, it causes me to neglect WORKetc (which I don't want to do.)

If possible, it would also be great if I could update/access WORKetc data, offline. Outlook might be able to provide the vehicle. Much of my work takes place in environments where on-line access isn't possible/convenient.

PLEASE ADD THIS! Harmon.ie has plugin that I use to attach documents to google docs from Outlook and I LOVE it. Currently I use WORKetc plugin in gmail, and its fantastic, but it would be great to have it right there in Outlook.

GREAT IDEA!

Hi guys,
Any new progress in this Outlook plugin? Would be awesome!

/J

This is a must have for our team. Most of us have adopted Google Mail but half of our group is still using Outlook. This would be so valuable to us. Keep us posted!

We're just incorporating WORKetc. into our system's processes, and it will be the CORE of our front line operations. My two cents: In every integrated process, there should be a central repository that rarely (if ever) changes, that provides the connect the dots for all "like" applications (sort of a "middleapp"). I believe Outlook makes the best UI sense, since it's comfortably tied directly to an exchange enterprise environment (mail/scheduling/contacts/todo/outside POP3, etc. processes); which leads to supporting back-office IT requirements (archiving/email security/ancillary communications/etc.). Using an Outlook "plug-in" is a smart method to cleanly tap into that, while minimizing ongoing development impact, time and costs. Outlook BCM almost closed the gap on connecting activities to accounting; however, fell a little short keeping up with the development cycle. Choosing to do what you do best, is best for ongoing development, is best for everyone. I love where this is going and support staying focused on tying up those loose ends on the customer/vendor/team collaboration side. Let Exchange, Lotus, or other enterprise repositories take care of the "middleapp" for other requirements. Let those companies cover the overhead for what they do best, and capitalize on it. Thanks for this forum... awesome!

Brilliant Dan! Any closer to a release date? :-)

Liking it!

i am considering sending ALL (gulp) my emails to the worketc system but i dont want to be learning one thing to findout something i like and am use to (outlook add in) will be available thereatfer. so could you put a timeframe on a beta for this add-in please Dan.

OR would this be something that will benefit me more if i have transferred to the worketc system prior?

thanks
Joz!

Hello. Is there a time frame for the Outlook plug-in? Would really love to see this feature. Thanks.

We're new users and just getting set-up. Can you please explain status on an Outlook interface/plugin? I've read the threads and don't understand why it's been more than a year that this has been "coming soon". Without it, we'd be likely not to advance with Worketc.

will it be available for Outlook/Mail on mac?

I would LOVE to see this done in the next batch of updates! If I could sync my Outlook contacts, Calendar and emails, I would be so STOKED! If you can do To-do's that would be FROSTING ON THE CAKE!

Thanks guys and keep up the GREAT work.

Duane

We are still on Trial of Worketc. Obviously, integration in everyday routines within a company does not work as fast and easy. But lack of Outlook integration for us is a massive obstacle. Double entries for Contacts, Tasks, Calendars... I don`t know if we will be able to stay with Worketc (as much as I like it) if we can`t have Outlook integration.

Looking forward to Beta. Hope it arrives soon.

Hi Dan,

When will you have this integration available... with Outlook 2010 social network integration, I would love to see worketc updates under my contact to stay current with all correspondence stored in worketc.

Thank you.

I would love to click on an email from here and it open my outlook email! Make happen please.

this is the biggest thing keeping me from extending my free trial. I really need my outlook to follow me, wherever I am.

Looking forward to it!

This is a significant feature for me.

I'm very happy to see you're stilling working on an Outlook capability. A side thought for Outlook Integration... is there going to be anything within Calendaring, that permits WORKetc. timesheet codes for "drag-n-drop" onto the Outlook calendar for timesheet syncronization? I can clarify if you like. It's easy to see your group's dedication. Thanks for all the passionate work.

Hey,

Don't suppose we have an ETA on this?? It's going to be so helpful!!

Thanks

Hi Dan,

Is there a firm date for the roll out of outlook integration? It would be a great help to us just now.

Cheers
Ralph

Ditto to Ralph's comment

This is the only thing keeping from switching my business to Work Etc. from my current system. This is a must for me and would be amazing!

Awesome...Consider me a new customer.

Sign me up!

My team would love to betatest, contact us when this is possible!

thanks!

We would also like to Beta test. Please contact us when it is possible to do this!

Thanks,

Anita

Ready and willing to beta test. Thanks.