Spreadsheets 2.0

I really like the idea of using web apps instead of installed software. I like the idea of universial access to information, group sharing, and automatic updates. And since Google already bought Writely.com, I’m hoping a spreadsheet is next, just for the backing of the concept and integration.

Forbes has a review of the online spreadsheets offerings.

iRows is the best one that I have seen, and has some nice features, although is not quite a replacement to Excel (but does have some functionality that Excel does not have – like automatic stock updates):

1. Universal access Access your data from any computer with a browser. No installations, no version incompatibilities.

2. Global management The data is stored in one place. Users who are allowed to see your data, all see the same latest version. No need to remember who got which version by email, no need to send updates, no need to merge changes.

3. Security You control the access to your data. You can change the permissions any time and they are effective immediately. Once you remove a permission to someone, that person can no longer open the data sheet.

4. Reliability We backup your data every day, save several copies to separate machines, encrypt the data, and take additional measures to protect your data from disasters, or from people who should not see it.

5. Sharing We enable data sharing. several users can view or update together the same data. Sharing can be in a small community, or worldwide: one person can create a data sheet that can be used by everyone (example: a loan calculator).

The ongoing efforts can be following on the iRows Blog.

Thanks to TWIT for this link.

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