Mindjet, the startup specializing in visualization software that helps knowledge workers collaborate on projects, has released a new version of its software for Apple’s Mac platform.
Mindjet’s MindManager software lets users create “mind maps,” or graphs and charts that map out workers’ ideas, goals and projects using computers as the canvas.
Rather than using documents, spreadsheets and presentations to exchange information, MindManager users chart their ideas and information visually, starting with a central topic surrounded by subtopics arranged on lines.
MindManager for the Microsoft Windows platform has been successful and Mindjet hopes to extend that success to the Mac platform, which Mindjet Vice President of Products Neil Mendelson said stands to gain traction among companies that allow their employees to choose whether they use a Mac or PC for work.
Accordingly, MindManager 8 for Mac offers several hooks into Microsoft applications in addition to greater ties to native Apple software.
MindManager 8 for Mac now integrates with native Mac software, including iCal, Address Book and iWork. The new iCal integration easily lets users track To Do lists and multiple calendars.
Mindjet features standard Apple gesture support on the multitouch Trackpad, allowing users to “pinch and expand” to zoom in on the map. New Magic Mouse support enables “three finger roll” for scrolling through the map.
Mac users can now use Mindjet to import documents from Microsoft Word, and Apple Pages, and even export content to Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Apple iWork Pages, Keynote, OPML, text outline, HTML, JPG, PNG or TIFF formats.
Importantly, Mac users may also create maps in MindManager 8 an open them to edited in MindManager 8 for Windows, as well as Mindjet Catalyst, a SAAS application that injects interactive collaboration into the mind maps.
Users can also publish maps in social media networks such as Facebook and MySpace and export maps in PDF or Flash format using Mindjet Player.
MindManager 8 for Mac also boasts a built-in browser, which can be launched within maps to let users view Web pages and PDF documents without leaving MindManager.
Mindjet also added integration with Apple’s iChat to let users send a mind map to someone during a chat, Mendelson said.
Available in English, German, French and Japanese, MindManager 8 for Mac is available now through Mindjet.com as a new license for $249, or $129 for existing MindManager for Mac customers to upgrade to and enjoy the new functionality.
Existing customers of MindManager 6 or 7 for Mac who purchase an upgrade before Feb. 28, 2010 may do so for $99.
These are all fine additions to MindManager for Mac. Still, Mindjet’s most exciting product to date has been Mindjet Catalyst, which enables Web conferencing, document and file sharing, and secure online workspaces. This a fine application work departmental workgroups.
Mendelson said that while Catalyst was initially launched for SMBs and worked only for the Windows version of MindManager, customers can expect a midmarket version of Catalyst sometime this year.
However, Mindjet does not currently have plans to port MindManager for Mac to Catalyst, an indication that Mindjet’s Mac user base tend to be solo workers looking to boost their personal productivity.