Can I use MS Project for this?

[Anders Eriksson]

Hello,

I work for a company that builds custom machines for marking. Each machine
is unique. We have limited resources, man hours, machine hours...

Each machine is considered to be a project.

Is it possible, using MS Project, to have common resources for all projects
so that a machine isn't used by two projects at the same time?

Is it possible to make a summary of all projects so that I can get a Gantt
scheme over all projects?


// Anders

 

[Rod Gill]

Hi,

You can use Project for this but what you are doing reads more like a batch
process which would be better served by production management software.
Problem with Project is that it will require a skilled user to do what you
want and if anyone less skilled tries making changes, your whole production
schedule could get messed up!!

--

Rod Gill
Project MVP

NEW!! Project VBA Book, for details visit: http://www.projectvbabook.com

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

I slightly disagree with Rod.
I would advise you to use Project for this, it is a near perfect fit.
I did install it for a similar application.
From the start, the thing to worry about is the feedback from the shop floor
(which operations are done): that can be quite a volume; but using any other
software you need the same amount of data.
And one should remember, that yes, Project resuires quite qome learning, but
most production software require at least 10 times more. Compared to the
monsters I looked at, Project is ridiculously simple.

On top of that: production softwares are accounting softwares with some
planning addon.
You want planning, use a planning software.
Hope this helps,