ProofHQ Gets a Facelift

In my last review I highlighted the benefits of ProofHQ, a web-based design collaboration and proofing tool, which streamlines the process of managing document reviews, proofing and approvals. I was impressed with how powerful and scalable the software application was and blown-away with its ability to integrate with Basecamp. Basecamp, is a web-based project management application developed by 37Signals that is widely used by design professionals.

Since that review three months, Mat Atkinson and Colin Angus, the co-founders, have welcomed feedback in order to improve the ProofHQ user-experience such. In response to this feedback the Mat and Colin have released the following updates:

• A brand new dashboard
• An hourly email summary notification option
• Basecamp integration improvements
• GUI improvement

The new ProofHQ dashboard gives users a clearer view of all of current the activities occurring in their proofs. The dashboard also includes a new Overview section, which helps filter quickly to the proofs that users have to either review or manage. The Stats section on the dashboard, provides you with the ability to keep up to date with the proof and storage that you are using. Lastly, the dashboard has added a section to apply filters in the Recent Activity section so that you can filter to view New Comments, New Proofs and Decisions.

ProofHQ users stated that the options for email notifications resulted in either an avalanche of emails, or notifications that were not timely enough to be used effectively. After this feedback, an improvement to this option has been implemented. Now users can choose to receive an hourly email only if there has been a new comment, reply or decision on a proof. You can tailor the option to each proof based on the project and the frequency you desire.

A major selling point for ProofHQ has been its ability to integrate with Basecamp. In only a few short steps project management teams can send proofs to other team members utilizing Basecamp. Now, after requests and comments from users, improvements to this integration have been made. The previous process of opening a ProofHQ proof in Basecamp was slightly confusing. When a proof was uploaded to Basecamp, project team members had to “subcribe” to the proof in order to access it within Bascamp. After a September 19th update the process is now smoother for opening proofs in Basecamp. The process is outlined below:

1. When you open a proof from Basecamp you and your reviewers will now see a simple form asking you for your email address. Once they enter their address, ProofHQ will remember it the next time you open a proof.
2. The email address tells ProofHQ two things. First, whether you are an existing user of ProofHQ, and Second, whether you are an existing reviewer of this proof.
3. Existing users are then asked for their password. Once they enter this they are logged in fully - no more having to login twice!
4. Non-users are asked for their name, which will be displayed against their comments.
5. Non-users may not get immediate access if “Validate Subscribers” is turned on in proof settings. They will need to wait until they receive an email containing a validation link to the proof.

The latest improvement released on September 19 incorporates several tweaks to the GUI such as:

• Big green buttons: The “New Comment” and “Your Decision” buttons are the most important on the proof. After being asked to make them more prominent, they are now big and green.

• New welcome screen: A new welcome screen is now the first thing reviewers see when they first open a proof. The new welcome screen is a great boost for new reviewers to quickly get into the basics

• New side bar tabs: To make navigation easier, ProofHQ now has three new tabs:
  • Comments - list of comments in numerical order. Click on the comment in the side bar to open the comment window and mark-ups on the proof.
  • People - list of people on the proof. Shows name, number of comments, number of replies and current decision.
  • History - shows the history of the proof in date order. Includes comments, replies and decisions.

In the last three months, ProofHQ has had some simple but very effective improvements to the overall design, feel and functionality to are sure to appeal to current customers and attract new ones.