Automating resource availability using the Project Data Service

[Franko]

I am working on a project to completely automate the creation and transfer of
projects, tasks, resources, and costs from our ERP system to Project Server
2003.

I am using the Project Data Service (PDS) to accomplish this.

Questions:
(1) is the PDS the best way to accomplish this? Automaticaly creating
projects, tasks, assignments, etc?

(2) is it possible to update a resource's availability via the PDS, or
should I use another method? Writable database views, perhaps?

Thanks

 

[Rod Gill]

Hi,

The PDS can do this, but please note that it has been completely replaced in
Project Server 2007 so any work you do will be substantially redundant!

If you want to proceed now, you need a solution that will work with project
2003 and 2007+. These are:

1) Create an xml file from your ERP data that can be opened in Project to
create your project.
2) Create and Excel file from ERP data that Project recognizes (In project
save a project as an Excel workbook and select Project Excel Template in the
export wizard to see a structure).
3) Use VBA to create the project
4) Create an Add-in to create the project.

I suspect the better choice for you will depend purely on what skill sets
your developers have as any of these solutions will work well.

--

Rod Gill
Microsoft MVP for Project

Author of the only book on Project VBA, see:
http://www.projectvbabook.com

 

[Franko]

Thanks for the reply. It really shook things up here!

We're located in Montreal, Quebec. Could you recomend a Project Server 2003
resource we could contact for consultation? We definitely need this project
done, however based on your reply, the PDS isn't the way to go.

Any help (from anyone!) would be greatly appreciated.

Franko