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FastTrack Schedule

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FastTrack Schedule
Developer(s)AEC Software, Inc.
Initial release1987
Stable release
FastTrack Schedule 2024 (Build 2664)[1]
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows, macOS
TypeProject management software
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.aecsoftware.com

FastTrack Schedule is a Project Management Software app (PMS) for Mac and Windows. It helps teams plan, track, analyze, organize, manage resources, develop resource estimates, and report their projects.[2] It can manage planning, scheduling, cost control, budget management, resource allocation, and Project Portfolio Management (PPM).

It was first released in 1987 for Microsoft Windows and macOS, and is used for planning, tracking, and reporting project goals.[3][4][5][6]

It also supports cross-platform compatibility between Mac and Windows users of FastTrack Schedule. FastTrack Schedule is fully cross-platform compatible, so Windows, Mac, and mixed-platform teams can all use the software collaboratively. The program is available as a local installation or a server-based version that acts as a "floating license" for larger teams.

It is designed to run on the latest operating systems, such as macOS 15 Sequoia, macOS 14 Sonoma, macOS 13 Ventura, macOS 12 Monterey, Mac OS Big Sur, macOS Catalina, macOS Mojave, Windows 11, Windows 11 ARM64 and Windows 10. It is also fully native on Intel and Apple silicone M1, M2, M3, and M4 processor Macs.

The developer, AEC Software, Inc., is headquartered in the Dulles Technology Corridor of Northern Virginia.[7]

Overview

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FastTrack Schedule[8][9][10] allows users to organize tasks into project plans, assign resources to tasks, use effort driven scheduling, and view project details in many forms, such as Gantt charts, monthly calendars, and resource histograms.[11][12]

It includes a range of intuitive graphical tools to help effectively plan and manage Gantt chart schedules, and track project resources. Over two hundred fifty (250) unique, colorful bar styles are included, or one can create their own.

Included are over fifty (50) free Project Management Templates and Project Management Example files.

The app's capabilities are suited for 'accidental' project managers as well as experienced project managers[13] working in small to mid-sized project teams. Versions are available for Microsoft Windows and macOS[14] and files are cross-platform compatible,[15] enabling team members on PCs and Macs to collaborate on projects. Also, available are Concurrent User versions for installation on a server.

FastTrack Schedule also exchanges data with spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel, databases, organizers such as Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, and Apple Calendar, and other project management software, including Microsoft Project.[16]

It has a global customer base and has been localized into five languages (English, Japanese, French, German, and Italian). Some of their well-known users include: NASA, Nike, Amazon.com, Honda, Pixar, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and The Olympic Games.[citation needed]

In 2012, FastTrack Schedule Go for the iPad was released. A productivity app sold on Apple iTunes, it allowed the user to analyze, present, and take their schedule with them. It worked with FastTrack Schedule Mac/Win files, XML, and Microsoft Project files. FastTrack Schedule Go is no longer distributed.

Features

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FastTrack Schedule 2024 files are cross-platform between Windows and Mac. Schedules can easily be passed back and forth between Mac and Windows users of FastTrack Schedule 2024, now with improved cross-platform font management.

macOS unique features:

  • Completely redesigned for macOS 14 Sonoma, macOS 13 Ventura, macOS 12 Monterey, 11 Big Sur, 10.15 Catalina, and 10.14 Mojave
  • FastTrack Schedule 2024 for Mac is a 64-bit app
  • New FastTrack Schedule 2024 for Mac Universal Binary runs natively on Intel processor Macs, and it runs natively on all new Apple silicone M1, M2 and M3 processor Macs.
  • New Full Retina Display Resolution support, including support for mixed Retina and Non-Retina displays
  • New support for iCloud, Finder Tags, and Dark Mode
  • New iCloud document management and revision history

Windows unique features:

  • Designed to run on Windows 11, Windows 11 ARM64, and Windows 10
  • New Windows HD Color. High DPI - HDR resolution support for a sharper appearance on all of one's monitors, including mixed standard and High DPI displays
  • New Support for (4) color themes, including Black - for use with Dark Mode.
  • New Built-in PDF export support

New features for both Mac and Windows versions:

    • New One-Click Reports feature - Create, Customize, Name, and Save comprehensive Reports of one's projects.
    • New On-Screen Zoom Feature - Zoom in or out on any part of the project one chooses or adjust the zoom for the best on-screen experience for their monitor
    • New Automatic Print-to-One-Page feature
    • New Highlight Filters – Highlight filtered rows in any color and display them in context with the overall schedule
    • New Dynamic Filters - Dynamically generated filters for Resources
    • New Color Calendars feature – Highlight Important Project Dates, holidays, or other periods that impact the project in the Schedule, Calendar, and Resource Views. Import .ics files into Color Calendars to utilize calendars created in other apps
    • New Resource cost and work details per Assignment
    • New Duration Units columns - select any Source column and convert that value into other duration units, all without needing to set up a sophisticated formula in a Calculation column, and... the values are bi-directional
    • New put pictures, text boxes, and legends in Calendar View Print Preview to customize and enhance one's Calendars
    • New user interface (UI) designed to be cleaner and smoother
    • Enhanced Progress Tracking
    • New Viewing of Bar Components in four different configurations: Only Scheduled, only Baseline, Scheduled + Baseline, or Scheduled + Baseline if Different
    • New Emoji support
    • A new suite of over 50 Built-in Bar and Milestone styles, and improved Bar and Milestone customization
    • Numerous Bar and Milestone refinements for optimal integration with MS Project and other project management tools
    • New Custom Naming of Bar and Milestone styles for increased organization and efficiency
    • New Automatic switching between Bars and Milestones
    • New Multiple Baselines scheduling
    • New Improved Critical Path scheduling and management
    • New Critical Path now automatically changes the bar color to red or any other color one chooses
    • New MS Project 2019 and 2021 file import - Support for opening files with Manually Scheduled tasks
    • Java is no longer required to open MS Project files
    • New feature to change the Font Family and Font Face in an existing file.
    • New improved compatibility of files saved cross-platform Mac to Windows, and Windows to Mac
    • New Web-based Help system
    • New View customizations
    • New Layouts and Filters
    • More Undo’s
    • A new, curved Link style for attractive timeline reports
    • Theme-driven appearance and drawing
    • New redesigned and modern Gantt Chart appearance
    • License management for enhanced security

Intuitive Interface

The Mac product has a Format Bar that was modeled after the iWork suite, while the Windows product uses the Ribbon. The Format Bar and Ribbon are both context-sensitive and contain key scheduling tools. In addition, they can be customized by dragging and dropping features one uses the most.

Base and Work Calendars

Choose built-in Base Calendars such as standard, 24 hour, night shift, 7 Day, 6 Day, 4 Day, 2 Day (weekend) calendars, or customize your own. These calendars can be assigned per-task, so projects can have an unlimited number of Work Calendars.

Effort-Driven Scheduling

For tasks that can be completed faster by adding more resources, use Effort-Driven Scheduling for simple schedule compression. Automatically adjust task durations as resources are added or subtracted, while keeping the total work for a task constant.

Image Columns

Use Image Columns to add pictures of task items, staff, resources, designs, progress photos, etc, directly into column cells. Images automatically scale as thumbnails to match row heights and display as larger images when one hovers over them.

Assignment Contouring

Choose from eight built-in work contours or customize your own for the ultimate ease and flexibility in resource scheduling. Assignment contouring enables one to quickly re-distribute their resources' efforts on a task for those special cases and must-meet deadlines.

Work Usage Inspector

Monitor resource workloads while making assignments in the Schedule View. The Work Usage Inspector displays Resource Usage Graphs at the base of the Gantt chart to provide a detailed snapshot of a resource's free and busy time, enabling one to make precise assignments and effectively manage resource costs.

Resource Information Form

The Resource Information Form organizes work schedules, rates, and all contact information into a single comprehensive form.

Images, Text Boxes and Legends

Add textboxes, legends, graphics, photos, logos, sketches, and other images to enhance the visuals of projects.

Etc.

Resource Management: Collect, organize, and track a resource's Details, Skill Sets, Materials/Supplies, Costs, Groups, by creating from scratch or importing

Collaboration: Work with others using Team Calendars, Timeline, Issue Tracking, Email Integration, and Dashboard.

Project Management: Includes tools for Task Management, Mind Maps, Task Feedback, Scheduling, Calendars, Timelines, Gantt Charts, Interactive Gantt Charts, Reporting, Statistics, Work Load, Financials, Document Management, Privacy Settings, Budgeting, Critical Path Method, Project Templates, Baseline, Custom Baseline, Milestones.

Help & Support: A robust support system is provided which includes: Training Courses, FAQ's, Tutorials, User Manual, Email Support, Online Form Support, Telephone Support, and an online forum.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Current Version? - What is the most recent version of FastTrack Schedule 2024? – AEC Software Help Center". AEC Software Help Center. 11 June 2022. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Project Management Software, Project Tracking Software | AEC Software". www.aecsoftware.com. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  3. ^ Corke, Greg (20 April 2006). "Fasttrack Schedule". AEC Magazine. Archived from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Project Management Software | FastTrack Schedule 10.2". www.aecsoftware.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  5. ^ "Project Management Software, Project Tracking Software | AEC Software". www.aecsoftware.com. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Mac Project Management Software | FastTrack Schedule 10.2 for Mac". www.aecsoftware.com. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  7. ^ "About Our Company | AEC Software". www.aecsoftware.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  8. ^ "Features -FastTrack Schedule 2024". aecsoftware.com.
  9. ^ "FastTrack Schedule 2022 for Windows - Video". aecsoftware.com.
  10. ^ "FastTrack Schedule 2022 for Mac - Video". aecsoftware.com.
  11. ^ "FastTrack Schedule Advantages | FastTrack Schedule 10.2 for Windows". www.aecsoftware.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  12. ^ "Share and Integrate | FastTrack Schedule 10.2 for Windows". www.aecsoftware.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  13. ^ "The latest version of FastTrack makes it easy to see cause and effect". Archived from the original on 3 June 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  14. ^ FastTrack Schedule 9.1- MacLife
  15. ^ "Small Business Technology Magazine - FastTrack Schedule 9 - by Small Business Technology Magazine Labs 2006 Top 10 Products of the Year". Archived from the original on 17 April 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  16. ^ PC World - FastTrack Schedule boosts Mindjet MindManager support[permanent dead link]
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