Based in Hong Kong, a new startup called EditGrid launched yesterday which promises to do better online spreadsheets and collaboration. The startup is a product by TnC, a company started by Asian entrepreneur David Lee back in 2003.
EditGrid, like its competitors Google Spreadsheets et al, boasts real-time editing and extensive collaboration. The interface resembles closely to Excel as seen on Windows (and is the first app I’ve seen which doesn’t remotely look like a web app!). Unlike Google Spreadsheets, EditGrid also features the ability to make charts and graphs. Once a spreadsheet is finished for the meanwhile, it can either be exported in a very wide range of formats or saved and shared with other users.
While Google Spreadsheets may be seen as a single, closed app for making and sharing spreadsheets with only people you know, I really think EditGrid is a much broader and complete product. For example, users can also obtain public templates and look at public spreadsheets created and shared by other people. Additionally, they’ve setup a whole wiki to help users with their spreadsheets. The wiki contains everything from screencasts to showcases and an API integration guide.
So while Google spreadsheets may be a Rapidshare where users can upload files and share them with other users who have to be involved in some way or know what they’re looking at, EditGrid is really a YouTube with the complete picture and platform set for spreadsheets. Both have their advantages, and of course set of users.
End Note: With the growing Google monopoly in the Web 2.0 space, I think it’s important that startups arise to take the bull by the horns and get their due — I will certainly be doing my best to complement and write more about such products.
