FranklinCovey Releases New Project Management and Task Management Applications to Increase Microsoft Outlook Users' Productivity

Business Wire, April 22, 2008

ProjectsPlus for Microsoft Outlook and TasksPlus for Microsoft Outlook Launched by FranklinCovey

SALT LAKE CITY -- FranklinCovey (NYSE:FC) announced today its release of the new project management and task management tools ProjectsPlus[TM] for Microsoft[R] Outlook and TasksPlus[TM] for Microsoft[R] Outlook[R], two innovative applications created to significantly increase users' productivity within Microsoft Outlook.

"ProjectsPlus for Microsoft Outlook offers simple, intuitive project management right inside Microsoft Outlook, so users don't have to use a separate project management tool to create, track and report progress on projects," said Jeff Anderson, senior vice president of product management, FranklinCovey. "TasksPlus for Microsoft Outlook brings more robust task management to Outlook, helping users plan and execute their most important activities each day. They can now organize, prioritize and rank their daily tasks using FranklinCovey's classic prioritization system. Both applications take project management and task management within Microsoft Outlook to an entirely new level."

ProjectsPlus for Microsoft Outlook and TasksPlus for Microsoft Outlook are sold separately but are also included in the company's existing planning and information application, PlanPlus[TM] v.5 for Microsoft[R] Outlook[R], which seamlessly integrates FranklinCovey's proven planning methods within Microsoft Outlook. All three applications are compatible with Microsoft Outlook 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000 and will run on Windows XP or Windows Vista. Each was created in collaboration with FranklinCovey's development partner, Agilix[R].

ProjectsPlus for Microsoft Outlook

ProjectsPlus for Microsoft Outlook brings intuitive project management into the familiar Microsoft Outlook environment. In addition to eliminating the need to create projects in a separate application and then sync tasks to Outlook, it makes basic tools and functions such as a project dashboard, milestones and reports immediately available to users. The application was not designed as a complex project management application, but is a simple module created for individuals or teams who use Microsoft Outlook and work on projects.

ProjectsPlus for Microsoft Outlook users can easily set up a project and its sub-tasks by using a simple outline that allows them to enter tasks in multiple levels. Users may also delegate tasks to team members and then receive automatic progress updates (Microsoft Exchange Server required). Projects may also be tracked and status reports can be easily e-mailed or exported to Microsoft Excel.

Key features of ProjectsPlus for Microsoft Outlook

Create a project using a familiar outline format. Easily define milestones and tasks and move items around using drag and drop.

View project tasks in your Microsoft Outlook task pad. Items created in your project automatically show up in your task pad and can be organized with the entire list of tasks you need to complete each day.

View the overall status of the project or the status of individual elements using the progress view. Determine work that remains to be completed or hold others accountable with information provided at your fingertips.

Delegate tasks to team members and have tasks show up on their personal task lists. As their work is completed, the project is updated automatically (Exchange server required).

Create detail and summary reports that show project status. Communicate information to key stakeholders using the "email report" button.

Save a project as a template for similar projects in the future. Create a project outline and then use it over and over.

TasksPlus for Microsoft Outlook

TasksPlus for Microsoft Outlook was designed for users who want an easier, more effective way to organize and manage their tasks. FranklinCovey's proven method of prioritizing and ranking tasks by ABC-123 helps users stay focused and accomplish crucial tasks. With its easy drag-and-drop functionality, TasksPlus for Microsoft Outlook allows users to organize Outlook tasks daily by priority and rank, creating a list of things they must accomplish each day.

"By spending 10-15 minutes with TasksPlus for Microsoft Outlook at the beginning of each day, users can prioritize tasks into groups that are vital, important and optional. The intuitive interface makes it incredibly fast and easy to prioritize tasks once and spend less time during the day deciding what to do next," said Anderson.

Key Features of TaskPlus for Microsoft Outlook

Organize your tasks by day so you are focused on what you will complete today--not on an exhaustive list of tasks.

Prioritize your tasks with an additional level of prioritization using FranklinCovey's time-tested ABC-123 system for focusing on the most important tasks.

Quick Prioritize is a daily task-management tool that helps you choose how to spend your time each day in 10 minutes or less, increasing your productivity.

Convenient Home View lets you see both your calendar and tasks on the same page so you can use the drag-and-drop interface to quickly create appointments.