The 4Projects Desktop™ application is an optional operating system extension that integrates with the Microsoft Windows desktop environment. There are some things that cannot be achieved using any web-browser – the 4Projects Desktop™ removes these limitations. All users of the 4Projects extranet can download the 4Projects Desktop™ interface and use it free of charge.
Using the 4Projects Desktop™ users have an alternative method of interacting with the extranet as though files and folders were seamlessly integrated within their existing file system. The extranet in effect becomes another ‘network drive’.
4Projects Desktop™ increases productivity by integrating directly with Microsoft Office products, and its Developer API allows customers to integrate their own applications with 4Projects.
The technology providing the above capabilities uses SOAP and XML to deliver data to and from the extranet from the users PC. A further advantage of utilising the method is speed. Once logged in and authenticated with the 4Projects Desktop™ a user does not have to authenticate again so long as the computer is still running. Together with the fact that more processing is done on the users PC, the 4Projects Desktop™ solution provides an even quicker experience than using a web browser.
Using this feature of 4Projects it is possible to open a document from the extranet to your laptop, work on the document whist on the train and upload the revised version quickly when connected to the Internet again. All this is achieved with just a few clicks of the mouse. Saving new files to the project extranet is also very simple using the Desktop feature of 4Projects – simply right click on the file and select ‘save to 4Projects’ to follow the simple upload wizard.
Architects tend to issue packages of drawings and the multiple upload facility within 4Projects allows any number of documents, drawings or photos to be transferred to the extranet in one batch. This feature is especially useful for those users on the lookout for any time savings available.
Using the web-based interface, the files are sent to a ‘personal store’ and are ideally scheduled to upload when you are away from your computer or when you leave the office in the evening. Once uploaded, the files are assigned to issue sheets or folders or as a revision to an existing file.
Using the 4Projects Desktop the meta-data can easily be added or automated before the upload. Multiple files can easily be uploaded using the rich interface in seconds.
To get started, click here to download the 4Projects Desktop™.