Peer-to-peer calendars make debut with new free Outlook plug-in

By Stan Beer
Sunday, 25 March 2007 11:12

Technology

A new plug-in online peer-to-peer calendar application, which enables users to view free blocks of time for contacts, is set to debut as a free beta. The online system called Tungle is currently only available for Outlook 2003 but will be expanded to include all versions of Outlook, as well as Google Calendar and Lotus Notes.

Tungle is downloaded and installed by the end user and integrates with a user's time management and calendaring system. The peer-to-peer nature of Tungle is designed to enable groups of users in organizations, such as small businesses, to easily build networks of users that can have a window into the schedule of peers on the network, without the need of employing groupware servers.

The meeting information remains within the application on the PC of each individual. The Free / Busy information is only shared with the friends, co-workers or business associates they invite. According to Tungle, its P2P network will enable users to access and use the applications even when they are not connected to the Internet and its architecture enables it to work across networks and firewalls.

The system will include a scheduling wizard and the ability to grant colleagues different levels of access, depending on the relationship.

"Tungle is powerful and unlike any other online calendar solution available to people today," said Marc Gingras, chief executive officer at Tungle Corporation. "Before a user sends a meeting request, our solution gives users a snapshot view of the times their friends, co-workers or business associates are free or busy. This makes it much easier to schedule meetings, and why this feature is so popular within corporate workgroup environments. Because Tungle transcends a single corporation or computer system, people can schedule meetings with friends, colleagues or co-workers no matter where they are or what time management or groupware solution they use. As we progress through the beta period, we will continue to add the features that users find effective - and that set us apart from the competition."

According to Tungle, the P2P network supports millions of users without requiring the dedicated infrastructure of a major web portal.

While the base application will be free, Tungle will also make available several premium service features at a cost. Advanced Tungle Synchronization, which will allow users to seamlessly synchronize their home and office calendars, Outlook-to-Outlook or Outlook to Google Calendar, will cost US$10 a year.