Podio Software

Pros

- That it is clean-canvas and you can set up basically any object, process, structure or workflow you need
- The recent calculation field javascript functions are a life-saver!
- I have been using Podio since its very early days (back when you could only add, subtract or multiple two fields at a time). It still had so much value for our process as a services company that wants to track what our consultants are billing.
- Task management settings are excellent (even if i don't use it as much as i should, adding, assigning and tracking tasks is a breeze)

Cons

- Being an app intended geeks, it feels like it would be hard to set up initially
- Has limited app permissions (for e.g. field-based permissions for different user types is needed for any level of process above basic.

This streamlined our lead intake process, helped us better achieve our sales goals, and took our professionalism to a new level. Additionally it offered us more measurable metrics, some basic automation/workflows, and a clearer sales pipeline.

Pros

The flexibility of the software, the cloud-based nature, and the ease of use. I would not hesitate to recommend it to others.

Cons

We're ready for a more inclusive marketing automation software that integrates with our web presence as a more robust CRM. This was a great product that served us well, but our business needs are different now.

Reliable communication with the team through the chat function. Good personal tas management and also knowledge management. Even though we stored or files in a cloud service, we 'indexed' and sorted our knowledge through Podio.

Pros

This app felt like a blank canvas. You can create a lot of workspaces, each with differentes apps that have different functionality, such as "Expenses" and "People". For each app, you can create items, that you can call whatever you like, e.g. "Payment" and "Person", respectively. Within them, you have many field options and you can customize quite a bit, even automatically creating tasks. I also appreciated that the calendar, your tasks and your contacts have their separated site. Each works automatically, adding events that you interacted with automatically to your calendar, the same with tasks that were delegated to you. In summary of the good stuff, lots of possibilites. Also, formulars where quite helpful.

Cons

As much as it has pros, there is for me and the organization where we used it, one big Con, that goes throughout the whole app: too much flexibility and little restraint/focus. The tool is a blank canvas, and I am sure you can create a good workflow for different needs. The problem is, that you (at least we did) need a single person that first, understands how it all works second, takes the time to create each app and the item-configurations (altough there is a marketplace where you can use other people's templates) and third, explain it to everybody else. The problem comes, when you realize there was an unknown feature or a simpler way of doing things. There is so much that is possible that you might end up complicating your workflow to much.

Pros

Podio is very easy to use, since it provides a limited but sufficient set of building blocks to create a workflow application quickly.

Cons

Handoff of data from one Podio app to the other could be easier and more robust, especially in apps with many individual modules.

headaches and ulcers

Pros

reasonable pricing. Can accommodate a wide variety of business uses.
These are just extra words because it's required.

Cons

AWFUL support. Predatory 3rd party support (which costs more). Majorly deficient reporting out of the box. Complex build out with limited knowledge center. The management of high record counts is buggy--Import/Export-- and 'will not be added to the fix list' per Podio.

Pros

Easy and simple system that allowed new staff to join and contribute with little to no training. The platform also allowed us to upload files and function as a repository.

Cons

Becomes slightly constrictive once traffic increases in terms of awareness and appreciation of the workspace.

Pros

Customer Service. Easy to build once you figure it out! Especially once you plug in globiflow, you can set up automations for all sorts of tasks. Very cool.

Cons

Takes a little bit to get started, to figure out the ins and outs of the software. Takes a minute to get the apps installed that you need.

At our local Red Cross we needed a simple way to keep track of volunteer info and first aid training participants. It used to be a very manual process and being a small branch I couldn't convince admin to spring for an expensive CRM.

My search landed me on the Podio website and I gave it a try. What an amazing tool it proved to be. It took a few weeks to get the hang of it (mainly because I had no previous experience with CRMs) but it has now become a central part of operations. We now can't imagine life without it.

Now that we have it set up just the way we want it we can now easily figure out how many volunteers have been trained in not just First Aid but all of the other courses we offer.

We have an easy way to check the number of events each volunteer has attended over any given period.

Using webforms we have a really simple way for clients to requests First Aid volunteers at their events which automatically notifies the people we've specified so following up is now much easier.

It has an iPhone app so even on the go staff always have access to data as long as there is an internet connection.

I could go on and on but I think I would say my favourite feature is the customizability. It doesn't do everything (nothing does) but even with a free account you can get so much done it's simply mind blowing. Looking forward to the improvements (which have been never ending since we signed up).

I now use it at my job to keep track of staff info and again it has become an invaluable tool significantly speeding up my workflow.

Pros

Ease of use
Price (free option is great)
Very customisable

Cons

Would love the ability to print pdf reports instead of just exporting Excel files

While Podio and the setup process involved can be very daunting at first, Podio is an absolute workhorse! It is by far the best CRM we have tried as a company that meet our needs and is intuitive in its nature. From the tasks to the apps to auto workflows and everything in between, it's truly a useful tool.

I used podio to manage tens of thousands of records with multiple relationships and am very happy with the flexibility and features of podio.

Pros

Easy to create your own apps, great community support

Cons

It lacks a few key features, most importantly being able to edit multiple records at once.

I enjoy the versatility and price point of podio. We use it for so many diverse things. I appreciate that I can export many of the things to spreadsheets where we can analyze them.

Pros

Versatility
Export capability
Price point

Cons

Ease of use

This app is great for its intended use. It's full featured even if you are just looking to use the product for free. Having a full featured database in the cloud is amazing and keeps everyone on the same page as well as the same "project".

While it's not the easiest program to use, there are very many helpful articles as well as a support team that is more than happy to help.

The aesthetics could use a bit of a makeover, but that's just a personal opinion. Otherwise, the app has done our business wonders for our productivity.

Pros

flexibility to cater to your own business.

Cons

aesthetics could use some work.

Podio has enabled me to completely change the way several companies share specific tasks. What's exciting? Two things. First - get rid of those awful little spreadsheets and put the data where the team can all access it concurrently. Second - wrap around it a neat package of task management, status updates, messaging, voting, and chat. And more. Voila. We have an internet for collaboration that converts office comma from the old "Outlook model" to the new, more open, "Facebook model".
The way in which users (permitted users) can edit the system while it is in use - could not be easier. I have been astonished to see non-IT professionals take up serious development and love it.
There's much more to say. Let's just say there is hidden depth. It looks so simple and it is, but one is always finding new gems that offer flexibility- such as webforms, or embedded JavaScript options! I think I could build a career in the Podio platform.

Pros

Flexibility. Ease of use.

Cons

Check the pricing model, but even that has been great for my clients who are registered charities.

Podio was a very helpful in office management, as it included a lot of different features that helped on various levels of organization. On the social media end, we were able to track what we published using Podio's calendar, and assign certain posts, graphics, and other tasks to specific employees. Tasks that were completed were easily recorded in employee timesheets, and it was easy to give feedback and comment on work posted by others.

Pros

Vast features and capabilities (calendar, timesheets, etc.), could organize tasks for each client that needed to be addressed.

Podio allows us to organize our many creative projects (videos/graphics) - Fully customizable so our Graphics team can create forms for me to submit graphics. Great for giving advice on our creative projects (and not filling up email inboxes!)

This is the CRM I am using now. There are some minor concessions I have had to make (namely the reports suck) but for the price I can't complain. However, I am under the old system so my pricing is a bit lower than what is available now.

Pros

Inexpensive, some what easier to use, kinda sorta easy to build out, lots of videos out there.

Cons

Reports suck and you need globiflow for it to be worth anything. Also there is no way to manage the page layouts to make it easier for the user to navigate. Collapsable sections would be nice.

Advice to Others

Make sure you budget for Globiflow.

Our family buisness for the past 30 years was very hands on and custom. My mother and grandmother never tried anything new and they said our business wouldn't work systemized and over the computer. Thankfully I was able to build Podio to our custom needs and it helped us get into the new millennium (late is better then never).

Podio is an utterly flexible and highly customizable online platform for the project management communications and not only. This is mainly because of its user-friendly interface and the corresponding provision of high-quality functionality to the growing organisation. First starting on the Free Trial, I have moved to paid subscription and I'd say it is totally worth it.

Pros

Utterly Flexible, Easily Customizable platform. Easily scalable for the growing business. A lot of useful addons/apps.

Cons

All-in-one system that sometimes becomes not easy to manipulate with non-experienced users.

It seems like it's capable of a lot, but I still have no idea how to use it. I think I've updated a project, then find out I've changed a template. Or something. I don't know.

Podio was a really lifesaving tool in my company's activity. It helped us get an overview of all tasks and keep our deadlines.