Have you heard? 37signals is working on the next version of Basecamp cleverly dubbed Basecamp Next. Set to launch in early 2012 the announcement is either further evidence that Fried and DHH have way, way too much time on their hands, or they’ve seen the future and it is Next. Maybe it’s a little bit of both.
Tinkering with a business tool like Basecamp could create real problems for the folks up in Chicago. Up until now we haven’t really had a reason to evaluate competing products, a fact one of our customers, a 37signals competitor, would welcome. Rolling out Basecamp Next is just such a reason.
As we ponder our 2012 strategy at VLG, the thought that we’ll see a bump in productivity while the team gets acquainted with whatever Next looks and feels like gives us pause. Maybe it’s time to explore other options. Maybe it’s time to reassess how we use Basecamp. Or, should we just sit back and see what’s next?
