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Andrea Di Clemente's picture
By Andrea Di Clemente
Tuesday, February 22, 2011 - 16:22
11 comments

Finally here: Basecamp import, and data export

Hi Friends! We introduced two features: a Basecamp-compatible data import, and a comprehensive data export for Apollo. These features are amongst the most-wanted ones, and have far-fetching implications.

Migrating to Apollo can be challenging: you might have several projects with valuable comments in a different project management system. This is why we worked really hard to write an import procedure that allows you to import your project from a Basecamp-compatible XML file:

This means that your projects, notes, milestones, etc. will appear on your Apollo workspace.

While we did all the coding, we need to thank our beta testers who provided us with their precious exports, and invaluable input that made the script a thousand times better -- thank you! Hopefully, this will ease the transition to Apollo for all those busy users who don't want to use Apollo for their existing projects.

On a similar note, we also wrote a script to export all of your Apollo data in an XML format. Here is what the export procedure looks like:

There are several reasons why you would want your data this way: Apollo is a hosted application, and you will probably feel safer if a copy of your information is safe and sound in your hard drives. A local backup is always a good policy, if anything to give you some peace of mind.

11 comments so far

Steven M Hambleton's picture

Steven M Hambleton

Tue, 02/22/2011 - 16:51

1

Good work guys!

Any idea when plans will be announced or are you waiting to release more features (like Highrise import *cough* *cough*!)?

Tony Mobily's picture

Tony Mobily

Tue, 02/22/2011 - 16:52

2

Plans are coming _really_ soon. We implemented countless extra features, we all think it's about time we released plans and exit our beta status!

Leslie A. Joy's picture

Leslie A. Joy

Wed, 02/23/2011 - 02:36

3

Hey, is there an iCal format in the works? And if so when's that coming? I've had a number of people ask me about it.

Thanks!

Andrea Di Clemente's picture

Andrea Di Clemente

Wed, 02/23/2011 - 02:50

4

Hello Steven, hello Leslie,

both features (iCal feeds and contacts and tags import from the highrise csv export) are planned for the first batch of work after plans!

Leslie A Joy's picture

Leslie A Joy

Wed, 02/23/2011 - 12:40

5

Yes! Thank you! I've had 2 or 3 people tell me that they would be on board once the iCal feed was in place.

P.S. I've been using Apollo for like a month and it's made things sooo much easier for me! I'm in love with it.

Artha Doyle's picture

Artha Doyle

Mon, 03/07/2011 - 00:33

6

Hi Andrea,

I've had our company use Basecamp for the past year now. It was a great app to introduce us to online project management. Now that we're used to it, we've realised where its weaknesses are and decided to look for an alternative solution.

After endless trials and sign-ups we narrowed it down to 3:
1. Apollo
2. Desk Away
3. Teamwork PM

It was really difficult not to choose Desk Away, they seem to have a great overall package. What I found best about Desk Away was the reporting features. One of the best I've seen. Nevertheless, I ended choosing Apollo. Its GUI is great and I love the CRM features and the ability to follow-up potential leads.

I believe there are 3 things Apollo can offer that will kill most of your competitors:

1. Internal Chat system: I currently use campfire and its just not as good as having an internal chat like that offered by proofhub.

2. iCal sync

3. Reporting system resembling DeskAway (but better obviously hehe)

My two cents worth...

Andrea Di Clemente's picture

Andrea Di Clemente

Mon, 03/07/2011 - 09:25

7

Hi,

Thanks for picking Apollo!
About your questions...

About chats:
We are a little resistant to the implementation of an internal chat system. People are so used to their own clients... What we are thinking about, is implementing a Jabber server within Apollo, based on projects and existing accounts. But we need to see how feasible it is...

About iCal:
Absolutely. It's a _definite_ priority for us! We will be working on it in the coming week!

Reporting
We will definitely need better reporting. It's in our TODO list. however, we haven't quite decided which direction to take!

Cheers,
Andrea.

cemil's picture

cemil

Tue, 03/29/2011 - 10:53

8

Do you intend to develop applications for the iPhone?

Tony Mobily's picture

Tony Mobily

Tue, 03/29/2011 - 11:15

9

Hi,

a native iPhone app is not in our short term development plan. However, we have a good mobile site that works well with iPhones!

http://www.applicomhq.com/content/why-online-applications-have-won-and-n...

Bye!

Merc.

Jori Curry's picture

Jori Curry

Wed, 01/30/2013 - 01:29

10

Hello! I am desperate to get a feed from iCal into Basecamp. Or at a minimum, import my iCal into Basecamp. Is this something you are working on? Thanks!

applicomhq's picture

applicomhq

Wed, 01/30/2013 - 02:32

11

Hi Jori,

do you mean Apollo right? :-)

Feel free to send your feature request to us via contact@applicomhq.com - We go through them once a month and pick some to be implemented next!