Reviews

Review: RMTrack 2.0

• By Mike Gunderloy
• April 14, 2004

RMTrack 2.0.3
starting at $299
RMTrack Issue Tracking Solutions, Inc.
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 929-1720
www.rmtrack.com

I reviewed RMTrack 1.2 last fall. Now that they've got their 2.0 version out, I figure it's time for another look. It remains a very customizable ASP.NET-based bug-tracking system that should be adaptable to nearly any organization's needs.

The customization runs much deeper than adjusting the values in pick lists. The piece I like best is the graphical workflow designer, which shows you the state machine that underlies the tracking process. This runs as a control right inside of Internet Explorer, and lets you add new states and transitions, remove existing ones, and so on. Whether it's an additional level of approvals for a critical project, or a streamlined process for writing knowledge base articles, RMTrack can handle it.

Of course everything else can be customized too: user groups, priority codes, resolution codes, you name it (and of course the usual stuff like which projects you have active and what builds you're planning to make). Even the layout of the main bug form can be changed by manipulating controls on another ASP.NET page.

Other nice touches include a way to set up "public users" who can enter bugs but not read reports, a good set of graphical tracking reports, and flexible e-mail notifications.

Version 2.0 improves on the 1.x series in several ways. First, there's a new project wizard that makes it really easy to get going; you should be able to enter bugs within 20 minutes of starting the install. This version also allows you to change data entry forms and workflow on a per-project instead of per-server basis, making a single RMTrack server much more flexible than before. You can now share filters between users, adjust security on a field-by-field level, and flag users as inactive without losing their history. All in all, it's a nice set of improvments.

The RMTrack Web site lets you download a 30-day trial version, as well as all of the relevant manuals (there's also excellent help available within the product). If you're thinking about a Web-based tracking system, RMTrack is worth evaluating.