Task reminder is a necessary option of advanced software for task/project management. It helps users do tasks on schedule and avoid delays. Leading software development companies include task reminders in their products to provide users with the best management functionality. For example, Microsoft offers the following project management solutions that include reminder settings:

• MS Project software. MS Project uses SharePoint Services to let users collaborate with each other and share data. This software allows setting reminders for shared tasks, so SharePoint task reminders can be shown to all assigned users. SharePoint service lets coordinate and synchronize actions of users, manage SharePoint orkflows and send/receive SharePoint task reminder emails .

• MS Outlook software. Task reminders in Outlook can be used for organization and management of personal tasks. If using Exchange Server, Outlook functionality can be applied to sharing, managing and coordinating tasks. Outlook reminders can be pop-up windows, sounds and email messages. Users can design Outlook recurrence patterns to initiate reminders on a regular basis. Recurring options will help use templates of tasks and schedule regular events.

The problem with Microsoft's products is that they are expensive. If you want to share your tasks and use task reminder in MS Outlook or MS Project, you will have to purchase Exchange Server or SharePoint.

Besides Microsoft's SharePoint and Exchange, you can also find many other examples of reminder functionality. Google offers its users gmail task reminders . If you have gmail account, you can use Google calendar to set Google task reminders . The problem is that online service is not always available and Google calendar is not so powerful for advanced task management and team collaboration.

If you use mini-computers, you will be interested in getting Blackberry or iPhone task reminders . Your Blackberry or iPhone is always with you, so you can get reminders to remember about important events and tasks. But the problem is that any mobile device is not so convenient for managing tasks, teamwork, and schedules as desktop computers are.

VIP Task Manager is a client-server, desktop-based task management solution that combines powerful options with task management tools to help you create, manage, share, track and report tasks. The software supports user collaboration and doesn't require payment for its server component. You can try VIP Task Manager for free and download its evaluation copy from this web site.