Archive notice: This article was originally published on May 14, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Merlin, the project-management application for Mac, was released as version 2.7, a server edition for workgroups and an iPhone application. The three variants introduced collaborative and mobile project management on the Mac.
Alongside detail improvements, version 2.7 added support for Merlin Server and Merlin iPhone. Merlin Server allowed small and large teams to edit projects together simultaneously. Merlin iPhone let users view and edit project files while travelling.
Merlin Server targeted companies and workgroups collaborating on complex projects. Implemented as a Mac OS X system extension, it was activated through System Preferences after installation. Authorised users could then collaborate on Merlin project files, while web and iPhone sharing services could be controlled with a few clicks. Merlin 2.7 was required.
Merlin iPhone allowed project files to be viewed and edited on Apple’s phone. Sharing projects required the free iPhone app and either Merlin Server, or for individual users Merlin 2.7 plus the optional €45 iPhone module. Rotating the phone switched between project and Gantt views.
Merlin 2.7 and Merlin Server were available through the ProjectWizards website, while Merlin iPhone was downloadable from Apple’s App Store. Demo versions were also available.
ProjectWizards Managing Director Frank Blome described Merlin Server as an affordable collaborative project-management solution for teams of any size, with iPhone and web sharing bringing collaboration to a new level.
Merlin 2.7 cost €145. Merlin Server, including ten user licences plus iPhone and web sharing, cost €795. Merlin 2.7 users could add iPhone sharing for €45 or web sharing for €95, limited to 12 projects or ten users. The iPhone app was free, and volume pricing was listed on the ProjectWizards website.
