If you're like me, you let out a big sigh every time a new meeting notice appears in your Outlook mailbox. There's often no agenda, backup documents, nor even the basics of conference call dial-in numbers. And when the meeting's done, no actions have been determined. After using Yon Software's just-updated MeetingSense 2.0 to whip meetings into shape, I could never do without this package that brilliantly manage After using Yon Software’s just-updated MeetingSense 2.0 to whip meetings into shape, I could never do without this package that brilliantly manages the entire meeting lifecycle.Why such praise? For many reasons, which start with how well MeetingSense plugs into — and enhances — Microsoft Office (including 2007). For example, when I scheduled a meeting from Outlook’s calendar view, MeetingSense provided a concise form to fill in the agenda and other meeting particulars; this information is professionally formatted and automatically inserted into an Outlook meeting notice.Yet MeetingSense’s full potential can only be appreciated during and after meetings. The software’s well-crafted user interface, which is completely customized by moving various pods, helped me present information, capture notes and decisions, and assign action items.Once you open a meeting, various pods are pre-populated with data from the original meeting invitation, such as meeting files and a list of invited participants (which forms a roll call, since I quickly marked who attended). As meetings progressed, I easily presented documents in one pod, while taking rich-text meeting notes in another area, and then entered key points and decisions in another pod. What’s more, MeetingSense records the audio portion of meetings. Importantly, during a meeting I also created action items, which are sent to appropriate people as Outlook Tasks. At the conclusion of each meeting, the software creates a complete, organized summary of the meeting, which I customized and then e-mailed to all participants. This significant feature ensures that everyone has a record of meeting details, including key points and decisions.These meeting details are then saved and available through the main dashboard. Version 2.0 adds several options, which helped me better track and manage meeting information. For instance, I grouped meetings by projects and tracked action items that extended from one meeting to another. You can also publish action items to a central repository, such as an Outlook Public folder. A carry-over feature from Version 1.0 let me select action items and request a status update from the owner.MeetingSense 2.0 is one of those rare products that uncovers — and then solves — a common business need near perfectly. The only possible improvement I can see is tighter integration with online services, such as Microsoft Live Meeting, WebEx, or Adobe Connect Professional (formerly Breeze). Still, while each of these has some similar features during a meeting (such as note taking), no other product I’ve used matches MeetingSense’s meeting organization and information management tools. It’s somewhat ironic that companies using this product actually report fewer meetings because of productivity improvements. But I doubt anyone’s complaining. Yon Software MeetingSense 2.0 Availability: Now Pricing: $99 for single seat; custom volume license packs available Verdict: MeetingSense 2.0 provides an ingenious way to prepare for meetings, capture essential information during a meeting – including audio, notes, and action items, and then manage assigned tasks. Works seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook, MeetingSense doesn’t inject any extra steps; rather it streamlines meeting workflow and reduces follow-up efforts. Technology Industry