Macromedia has announced Macromedia Sitespring, a new Web-based application for managing the Web site production process. Unfortunately, no native Mac version is planned right now, though one is a possibility and it is compatible on the client side.
Macromedia Sitespring is designed to enable professional Web teams to be more productive and more profitable in the creation of Web sites by reducing cycle time, eliminating file rework, and decreasing time spent on non-business focused activities. Macromedia Sitespring offers an integrated, server-based approach to team collaboration, file management, and client communications.
Using Macromedia Sitespring, Web teams have the ability to collaborate on design projects using Web-based project management and reporting functions specifically designed for the Web site production process. Sitespring features file management capabilities that use transparent file versioning and archiving. These features ensure that valuable files are protected and the Web team is always working on the correct file versions, thus preventing costly rework, according to Kevin Lynch, president of Macromedia products.
Web teams benefit from the automatic creation of dynamic, fully customizable and secure project sites for efficiently communicating with internal and external clients, he added. Sitespring can also be used to manage interactions with contractors or freelance Web team members.
“Sitespring is the result of those discussions, providing the glue that connects products and people, working the way that Web teams work, offering all the members of a team an approachable, cost-effective solution to better manage this process,” Lynch said in a statement.
Macromedia Sitespring due this fall for Windows 2000 Server and Windows NT 4.0 Server with pricing starting at US$1,999 for the Sitespring Server plus 3-user licenses (users are named Web team users, there are no additional charges for unlimited client accounts).
“The Mac end user can absolutely use Sitespring,” a Macromedia spokesperson told MacCentral. “It is compatible on the client side. If used running Windows NT, a Mac user can simply plug into Sitespring and they’ll be all set. But, natively, the Web-based application itself doesn’t run on the Mac platform. Macromedia is currently looking into a Mac version and quite honestly, demand will dictate.”