Asta Development Corp has released the latest version of its project management application, introducing a Windows 95 ‘feel’ that the company believes makes it easier to use. Power Project is the sole product of the Telford, UK-based company that opened a subsidiary company, Asta Development Inc in the US last year. Version 4.1 of the graphical project management software runs on Windows NT, 95 and 3.11, its main market being the construction industry, although health, utilities, local government, engineering and pharmaceutical sectors are increasingly using the product. Asta has included Object Linking & Embedding automation that enables applications to communicate with each other and the company says users will save time using internal macros within the applications. Power Project 4.1 now includes a column sheet that enables users to enter and view information via a spreadsheet-type interface, while work breakdown numbering lets the user position a task according to its position in the charts and subcharts in any project. The company was established in 1986 and first launched Power Project in October 1988. Privately-held Asta claims it was the first project management application for the personal computer, before the advent of Windows. Power Project is sold direct to users in the UK, while distributors deal with customers in Europe and South East Asia, and the new US subsidiary takes care of sales in the States. With 18,000 worldwide users, Asta says more than half its sales are now accounted for outside the UK. Power Project 4.1 is out now in the UK and will be available across the world within the next two months.
