Merlin (software)
Merlin is a commercial project management software application for Mac OS X, developed by ProjectWizards GmbH in Germany. It provides project managers the ability to create project plans, track the status of activities, assign resources, and manage budgets. Merlin contains a reporting system that includes visualization of activity time lines (Gantt), net maps (Project network), and resource workload in bar diagrams.
Version history
ProjectWizards originally created Merlin 1.0 for its own internal project management. Merlin 1.0 was officially released in November 2004.
Merlin 2.0 was released in November 2006 and included a wider feature set.
Merlin 2.5 was released in January 2008 and added project publishing functionality: Merlin users could now work simultaneously with others on the same project over the network.
Merlin 2.6 was released in July 2008 and added publishing for the web. Merlin users could now publish projects that they and their team members could view and edit over the network through a supported web browser.
ProjectWizards released Merlin 2.7 in April 2009, along with a new Merlin iPhone app.
Merlin Server was released in May 2009.
Merlin products
Merlin (Mac OS X)
Merlin (iPhone app)
Merlin Server
Merlin Mac OS X
Merlin features project activities management, resource and assignment management, and budget management. It supports import of and export to various project management file formats including .mpp, .mpx and .xml (MS Project), NovaMind, MindManager, and Freemind (mind mapping software). Merlin also integrates with Apple (Apple Inc) Mac OS X: It can synchronize project and resource calendars to iCal, access the Address Book (application) for resource (staff) management, and create email messages to project stakeholders with Merlin reports attached (in HTML or PDF). It also supports automation via AppleScript.
Merlin can link activities to the typical project management dependency types, and visualize activities, dependencies, and assignments in various ways. Merlin can also display the critical path in (Gantt charts or the net plan.
Merlin's internationalization supports English, German, and French.
Elements
Merlin elements include risk, issue, information, event, and document management. Each of these elements can be inserted into projects. Merlin recognizes the following 6 element types:
- Checklist - A to do list. Can be used to keep track of lists.
- File - Linking or embedding documents of any file format. Version control for embedded files is implemented.
- Risk - Risk information for risk mitigation and later evaluation.
- Event - For organizing project relevant events.
- Information - Additional information for the project as a mini CRM (Customer relationship management).
- Issue - Issues arising during project realization.
Publishing and collaboration
Merlin's multi-user mode allows users to open and edit published projects remotely. Saved changes are distributed and displayed automatically to all users. A rights management defines authenticated users' scope of access.
Optional features by additional licenses
Web sharing: sharing and access to Merlin projects by a supported web browser. iPhone sharing: sharing and access by Merlin iPhone app over an iPhone or iPod touch.
Merlin iPhone app
The Merlin iPhone app provides users the ability to remotely access and edit Merlin projects, and supports all of the core features of the Merlin native application except sharing. An online connection to the Merlin sharing system is needed when saving changes.
Merlin Server
Merlin Server provides additional features useful for larger projects and teams, including centralized project storage and project publication for remote access to Merlin projects using the Merlin desktop application, or a supported web browser, or the Merlin iPhone app. The Merlin desktop application is required for initial project creation. Supported web browsers for Merlin Server are Safari 3 or later (Mac and Windows), Firefox 3 or later (Mac and Windows), and Internet Explorer 7 (Windows).