AMSTERDAM, November 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Tom's Planner (http://www.tomsplanner.com/), created and developed by former project manager, Thomas Ummels, enables anyone to easily create, share and publish online planning schedules (Gantt Charts) with drag and drop simplicity. The intuitive, web-based project management and planning system lets any user easily take the most intricate of plans and turn them into a visual online planning schedule. Tom's Planner is offering a free, one-year account to all new users who sign up for the public beta launch by December 31, 2009.

Programs like Microsoft Project(TM) and Primavera(TM) require extensive user manuals and are often too complex for most people and Microsoft Excel(TM) is not visually oriented, comments CEO and founder, Thomas Ummels. Tom's Planner is intuitive and easy to use and is the ideal starting point for virtually every project and every person - from project managers, event and wedding planners to busy soccer moms, family reunion organizers or personal planners.

Project planners are able to visualize their thoughts directly into an easy-to-use, intuitive planning chart and save it directly on their hard drive enabling direct, private and secure access. This differs from other online project management systems where information is often stored 'in the cloud' which can be susceptible to compromise or loss.

Key features of Tom's Planner include:

-- Create project plans and schedules with simple drag and drop actions -- No installation required; simply click on a link and begin planning your project -- Share project plans and schedules online with project teams or groups -- No account required to view project plans -- Project schedules may be embedded as images in reports -- Export project schedules to Microsoft Project(TM) if desired -- A brief 3-minute tutorial and you can start planning - no extensive manual required -- Project planning templates for website designers, construction projects, event and wedding planners, vacation home rentals and personnel schedules.

I was frequently frustrated by the limitations of the software I worked with as a busy project manager, adds Ummels. My vision was to funnel that frustration into creativity and build a product that is faster and more visual than Microsoft Excel(TM) and is easier and less complex than Microsoft Project(TM), while addressing and solving the challenges that I've personally experienced.

The offer for a one-year free beta account for all new Tom's Planner users is available now through December 31, 2009. Beta users are encouraged to provide feedback that will be used for further product enhancement and development.

About Tom's Planner

Tom's Planner is a web-based project planning system that allows anyone to easily create, share and publish online planning schedules (Gantt Charts) with drag and drop simplicity. Tom's Planner is the ideal starting point for virtually every project and every person - from project managers, event managers and wedding planners to busy soccer moms, family reunion organizers or personal planners. You can visualize your planning thoughts directly into an easy-to-use, intuitive planning chart with no extensive user manual required. Plus, your information is saved on your hard drive enabling direct, private and secure access. Founded in 2009 by former project manager, Thomas Ummels, Tom's Planner is a privately held company based in The Netherlands. Learn more at www.tomsplanner.com.

SOURCE: tomsplanner.com

CONTACT: Mindy M. Hull or Ginny Cain McMurtrie, both of Mercury GlobalPartners, +1-415-889-9977 (USA), +31-625-047-680 (Europe),press@tomsplanner.com, for tomsplanner.com