WorkZone LLC
East Norriton, Pa.
Innovation: WorkZone online collaboration tool
Employees: 10
Founded: 2002
www.workzone.com
Many companies are looking for web-based applications to simplify their business processes and procedures.
East Norriton, Pa.-based WorkZone LLC, has developed on online tool for collaboration that works well for a project management tool.
WorkZone is on online collaboration tool that functions as an FTP site but offers more to its users, Pat Kelly, vice president of sales and marketing at WorkZone LLC said.
“The general idea is to provide companies a secure atmosphere where they can share files, make comments, and collaborate with multiple users both internally and with their clients,” he said.
Milwaukee-based Core Creative uses WorkZone to open the lines of communication between all of its clients and its representatives. According to Amy Schemenauer, director of health care marketing for Core Creative, the online file system helps her easily stay in touch with her national clients, and saves the company money on shipping and travel costs.
“It is so incredibly helpful from a productivity standpoint,” Schemenauer said. “It allows us to electronically keep records of all of our projects, regardless of size in an online filing system that is accessible 24/7.”
According to Schemenauer, the system allows users to send and respond to messages, or comments left by an individual and the system time stamps everything, which makes it easier to keep track of changes made to a document or project.
“It’s really great. I can send an estimate or a brochure for a client review and approval, and they can open it on their end with my comments and respond and post their changes or approve,” Schemenauer said.
Previously, these changes would have been made using traditional printed materials or email. According to Schemenauer, that sometimes worked fine for smaller projects but once the projects got bigger and there were multiple documents it became confusing and sometimes impossible to conduct the business through email.
“Sometimes there are so many iterations that a project goes through, or the file sizes are too large,” she said. “WorkZone functions very much like an FTP site but allows us to track and maintain large files and projects there.”
All of Core Creative’s client projects are housed through WorkZone. Core representatives provide a simple basic training program for clients as they enroll, and each person on the account is set up with a user name and password, Schemenauer said.
“WorkZone allows an individual to post changes to a document and send out automated email messages to users on the specified account,” Schemenauer said. “The system also allows clients to access the project whenever they want so it leads to better efficiency when reviewing and receiving approvals.”
“The program really eliminates the need for a paper file,” Kelly said. “The dashboard and reports can provide a review of activities done on a certain project, screening rooms can allow for additional viewing by non users if the clients choose to do that, and the calendar function provides a convenient deadline and planning calendar for each project.”
According to Kelly, WorkZone is a hosted solution that consumers access through a purchased browser and is available on a subscription pay basis.
“The WorkZone business model is a recurring monthly fee, and the pricing differs per client, but it is basically on a per user basis,” Kelly said.
Core Creative has been using the technology for three years.
“It’s very addicting, because it is so easy to use,” Schemenauer said. “Our clients really love it too, it’s so organized and everything is kept in the projects’ private work station. The security and convenience of it has made working with projects so much easier and more efficient.”
