Web-based form

PerfectForms, online forms building tool, is launching a cloud-based software service to accompany its on-premise offering. PerfectForms lets anyone create custom web-based forms for a variety of tasks, from simple HR routines like vacation requests or new hires, to intricate product management projects.Using a drag and drop editor, you can easily build forms within minutes. The forms can be integrated with LDAP, databases and other existing CRMs. The software and on-premise solution give users automatic reminders when action is required on forms and will create customized detailed reports on data, project tracking and workflow.

Google is bringing Google Gears to mobile phones so that people on the go can access Web-based applications even when they're not connected to the mobile Net. Smartphones and 3G data services are changing the way some people work, allowing them to access documents and applications from anywhere. But when their wireless connection is interrupted or not available at all, they're cut off. Google Gears for mobile helps solve this problem so mobile workaholics can even get stuff done on airplanes or when they're supposed to be on vacation in some far-off destination with no wireless access. (On second thought, maybe having access to work documents and other Web-based applications from anywhere isn't such a good idea.) ***

With Google beefing up its app business, we've been wondering when Microsoft would respond. We've been reporting on Microsoft's intention to support a mix of Web-based services and on-premise software. Now Nick Carr has word that the news may come down quite soon. "The new strategy will, I'm told, lay out a roadmap of moves across three major areas: the transformation of the company's portfolio of enterprise applications to a web-services architecture, the launch of web versions of its major PC applications, and the continued expansion of its data center network. ***

Intuit is planning to release a Web-based edition of its leading personal finance application this winter, possibly early in 2008. Quicken Online marks a key transition for a company that has made its bones selling new versions of its boxed software each year. A sneak peek at what will be Quicken Online.(Credit: Intuit) I've wondered for a while when a big software brand would offer online financial software with some measure of security and a respectable amount of features beyond basic bank account check-ins. The few that I tested late last year were woefully inadequate. ***

Salesforce.com on Monday is expected to announce a way move data between different applications using its online development platform. At the company's first developer conference, executives will introduce Salesforce SOA, an extension to its Apex programming language that allows developers to integrate different applications via Web services protocols. Salesforce will host and run the custom-written integration code. People can already write mashups that run within a browser, such as an application that displays customer information from Salesforce's sales application on a Web mapping service. ***

IBM has introduced a Web 2.0 software client to its back-end content servers, part of its efforts to capitalize on the growing sprawl of digital information. The computing giant on Tuesday hosted a telephone press conference to present the Web-based client software and an update to its FileNet content management server, which it gained through its acquisition of FileNet last year. Steve Mills, senior vice president of IBM Software, said the company is investing in information management technology in response to an "explosion" of content in the form of digital documents, forms and multimedia. According to an IBM study, by 2010, the amount of digital information in the world will double every 11 hours. ***