TPAssist 2007 Feature in Focus: Outlook Integration - Synchronisation

TPAssist currently synchronises the following task data: Start Date, Due Date, Priority (1/2 = High, 3 = Normal, 4 = Low), Percentage Complete and Reminder. The Outlook Item Title is constructed using the “Task Title Macro”. The Outlook item categories will be overwritten with central topic and “Customer” property. The Outlook Item notes or “body” is constructed and includes a summary of the task data, plus the mind map topic’s notes. Other Outlook Item properties will be left untouched (i.e. include Total and actual work time).

TPAssist 2007 will synchronise task data between the map topic and the linked Outlook item in the following two cases:

1. From Outlook – after changing the task data in the Task item, click the TPAssist “Launch Integrated Linkage Module” button (this launches the mind map and updates the task data).

2. From MindManager – make all task data changes via the TPAssist Journal Tab. (providing the “Outlook Integration” option is “Auto”, the changes will be synchronised with the corresponding Outlook Item.)

NB: Changing the “Outlook Integration” to NONE will delete the Outlook Item, so this should be avoided if additional data is recorded with-in the Outlook Item. Also, changing the mind map topic to 100% Complete with the TPAssist Journal Tab will “delink” the Outlook Item (the Outlook Item will be made 100% complete also and saved with-in Outlook). Therefore, if the mind map topic is made 100% with the TPAssist Journal and then subsequently modify with the TPAssist Journal to 75% Complete for example, a new Outlook Item is created and linked. This is by design, because we didn’t want to unnecessarily burden the mind map environment with Outlook GUIDs for completed items.

Mindjet MindManager 7 - Service Pack 1 (& TPAssist 2007 1.1.4)

Mindjet have released an update to MindManager 7.

To get the MM7 update - Use the "Updates" button on the Tools ribbon. The update can also be downloaded directly . This update fixes a number of known issues (See their release notes).

An update for TPAssist 2007 has also been published. This must be applied after installing the MM7 service pack if you are using the TPAssist 2007 Outlook integration. Get the update using the "Check for Updates" button in the TPAssist 2007 Help window. The update can also be downloaded directly from our Downloads page.

REVIEW: First Steps Web Seminar (The Mind Mapping Software Weblog)

Chuck Frey, founder of the InnovationTools website (http://www.innovationtools.com/), author of numerous articles, reviewer of mind mapping software and most recently a publisher of an e-book entitled Power Tips & Strategies for Mind Mapping Software, has reviewed our First Steps web seminar.

Read what Chuck has to say in his blog (The Mind Mapping Software Weblog)

NEWSLETTER - First Steps FREE Web Seminar Launched

Launch of First Steps FREE Web Seminar

In September 2007, TPAssist launched our Mindjet MindManger add-in. We have now incorporated our methodology and TPAssist 2007 usage into a FREE series of short-video presentations.

These presentations are available via our web site and provide real working examples of how mind mapping can be an excellent environment for life management.

At the heart of this seminar is the TPAssist My Life template mind map. You can get this FREE template RIGHT-NOW by using the Check For Updates button with-in the TPAssist 2007 Help Window. You can also download it from the web seminar page.

Click here to view the FREE online seminar NOW.
(http://tinyurl.com/2sa8lg)

ALSO - See below for a related Customer Testimonial.


Survey

We are conducting a survey of all our customers. The survey will provide the opportunity for you to tell us more about how you found us and your experience in using TPAssist 2007. In return all participants go into the draw for a First Steps Web Seminar DVD (valued at $45). Prices quoted is in US$. Entry closes on the 31st of December 2007. Survey Participants must provide an e-mail address in order to be entered in the draw.
Take Survey Now
(http://tinyurl.com/3bk7ok)


FREE Dashboard Consulting

The next phase of our mind mapping training content will focus on mind mapping in the workplace. We are looking for real examples of working environments in order to build sample "Dashboard" maps.

All we are looking for is a description of your role and your responsibilities within your organisation. In return we build you a personalised "Dashboard" series of maps, thereby giving you the equivalent of several hours of FREE consulting. All we ask is that we can use a more generic version of these maps as an example in our online web seminars. All your company and personal specifics will be removed for the web seminars.

E-mail us at consult@tpassist.com if you are interested.


Customer Testimonials

We believe that by bringing mind mapping and TPAssist into your life management, you will have the opportunity to get a sense of accomplishment on a daily, hourly or even minute-by-minute basis.

Or as one of our many satisfied customers puts it...

"I invested 40 minutes of my time, I familiarized myself with TPAssist 2007's impressive features and then I went for it and incorporate TPAssist into my life. Through using MindManager and TPAssist I am enjoying that feeling of satisfaction now that the lists from my busy cluttered mind are at my finger tips in a stress free, logical and friendly ordered way. As far as I am concerned a TPAssist "assisted" life = Organised Life = Happy Life."

Owner/Operator, Medical Services Company

TPAssist First Steps Webinar Featured on Mindjet Vignette

The Mindjet customer pages contain a short piece on how I use MindManager and also include background and details on our First Steps webinar.

Scroll through the Mindjet Vignettes here.

The Vignette includes a link to the map used in the process.

TPAssist 2007 Q&A - Gyronix Results Manager

Question:

I'd be interested to hear if you have a case as to why I should buy tpassist and not result manager, for the purpose of task management, using mindmanager, and outlook.

Answer:

In comparing TPAssist 2007 and Gyronix Results Manager, it is true to say that they share some functionality and in parts can be used to the implement productivity enabling methodologies, however since they also provide different functionality it may be more worth while reviewing both and seeing where the unique capabilities of each can be of use.

If we were to look for specifics, we would suggest the main functional comparison is with-in TPAssist 2007's Tree Summarisation capability. In Gyronix's own words, "ResultsManager from Gyronix scans all your project maps and generates insightful dashboards, helping you to take action and manage priorities." This is similar to the Tree Summarising feature of TPAssist 2007.

Outside that, TPAssist 2007 is more oriented towards working within and tightly integrated with your task mind maps rather than just from a bird-eye view.

You can see the Tree Summarisation feature in action towards the later stage of the Feature 1 video. Or read about it in the bottom half of the Feature outline page.


We will be demonstrating these capabilities in our "First Steps" web seminar. The video of the seminar is due to be released at the end of November. See our home page for details.

(FOOTNOTE - this Q&A is based on a response to a customer question directed to our support email).

TPAssist 2007 Q&A - GTD (Getting Things Done from David Allen)

Question:

The CEO of the company is using GTD (Getting Things Done from David Allen) in conjunction with MindManager 7.0.

If your product is installed are there any known software or operational conflicts with the above packages all working together?

Answer:

TPAssist 2007 lends its self very well to the GTD methodology. We have tested our Add-in alongside the GTD Outlook add-in from NetCentrics and it works well. The TPAssist 2007 "7 Day Horizon" summarisation report provides a 7 day view of outstanding activities and can be used successfully in conjunction with GTD methodology and other tools.

We will be demonstrating these capabilities in our "First Steps" web seminar. The video of the seminar is due to be released at the end of November. See our home page for details.


(FOOTNOTE - this Q&A is based on a response to a customer question directed to our support email).