The online offices and virtual team culture is quickly becoming popular and enterprises are rapidly adopting it due to its great benefits. Apparently it can be quite difficult for a business to manage a remote, geographically separated office, but thanks to virtual team management software – Skype, Basecamp, Google Calendar, GoToMeeting – it is not only possible, but also convenient and efficient.

Basecamp is a popular project management tool from 37Signals. It features all the major project management activities like viewing the milestones and latest activities of employees, to-do list attachment, file storage and many other things. Basecamp is the primary choice of companies to manage their various on-going projects. These companies will be glad to hear about the release of PERISCOPE GADGET – a quick and convenient way to manage Basecamp accounts.

What is Periscope Gadget?

Periscope Gadget is a tool that allows users to access Basecamp from their iGoogle page. It gives users the ability to control multiple Basecamp accounts and gives then access to Basecamp activity. Periscope Gadget lets users add and manage time entries, download files and track other activities. It is a great application with hover-over link effects to keep its interface simple and effective. Periscope Gadget is also accessible from the Windows desktop with Google Gadgets installed, and the iPhone for easy on-the-go access. However, one downside is that Periscope Gadget does not allow users to leave comments on an entry nor add/complete “to-do” items.

How can you control your Basecamp account through Periscope Gadget?

Corvida on the ReadWriteWeb blog explains how to use a Basecamp account from iGoogle.  She explains the configuration process in her post, Control Basecamp From iGoogle with the Periscope Gadget.

• Login to your own Basecamp account. Your URL will be something like yourdomain.updatelog.com or any of the 5 domains that 37 signals owns (updatelog.com, grouphub.com, clientsection.com, seework.com, projectpath.com) and you'll need to use the username and password that you chose when you signed up with them.
• Click on the Account (Upgrade/Billing) tab.
• Scroll all the way down on the new page.
• Close to the bottom is a "Basecamp API" section. Click on the check box that is labelled "I've read and agree to the Basecamp terms of service..." -- you should actually click on the terms of service and read them.
• Click on the button that says "Yes, please enable the Basecamp API for this account" -- wait a few seconds, and voila! You're done! Basecamp API access is enabled!"

Periscope Gadget – Basecamp Control in your iGoogle is a great application for Basecamp users and they have warmly welcomed it.  Currently, the service is in its initial beta stage and some Basecamp users have started to use it. On the other hand, Periscope is being updated on regular basis and new features are being added.  I think Periscope Gadget will prove quite handy for Basecamp users and will increase the sale of Basecamp.

References:

Corvida. (2008). Control Basecamp From iGoogle with the Periscope Gadget.  Retrieved Oct. 27th, 2008 from http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/control_basecamp_from_igoogle_with_the_periscope_gadget.php