Installing Project Server and Usage

[rmcabiz]

We currently have Project '98 and are looking to install Project Server. I
understand we need to purchase a CAL for each user to have full
functionality. Is there any other software needed? In addition, we have a
number of project managers that work "in the field" and are not connected to
our server, will they have full functionality of Microsoft Projects on their
laptops if a CAL is installed when not connected to our server? What if they
have internet access?

Thank you

 

[Reid McTaggart]

A Project Web Access (PWA) CAL is not enough for a PM. A PM needs to have
Project Professional in order to create and manage project schedules. Other
users, such as Team Members, Resource Managers, and Executives can interact
via the web with a PWA CAL.

Each copy of Project Professional includes a CAL for PWA.

For a PM in the field who does not have a high-bandwidth connection to the
network, you should consider Terminal Services, wherein Project Pro is
essentially hosted on your network and the field user's connection transmits
only screen images instead of entire project files.

The questons you ask are absolutely fundamental, and thus critical to your
success. You really should consult a Microsoft Certified Partner that
specializes in Project Server. That's the best way to ensure that your
architecture and configuration will support your vision and requirements.

--
Reid McTaggart
(e-mail address removed)
Alegient, Inc., Houston
Project Server Experts
Microsoft Certified Partner

 

[Jonathan Sofer - MCP]

Hello rmcabiz,

You will require Project Professional 2003 to connect to Project Server
2003. Reid is absolutely correct about needing terminal services if you are
going to have remote project managers accessing their project plans via
Project Professional. The biggest reason for performance degradation in
this case is latency. This is because Project talks to the server in many
very small packets of information.

As for your "In the field" users who will not have any access whatsoever,
you will want to use a feature in Project Server called "Working Offline".
This allows Project Manager to log onto the server, open their plan and save
it in an offline state. This saves it onto their machine and checks out the
plan from the server so that no other users can edit it. This is different
than saving a plan off as an mpp file. It stores it in a special format on
the Project Manager's machine. The Project Manager can then disconnect from
the server and work on his project plan as if he/she was still connected.

The next time the Project Manager has connectivity, he/she will log back
onto the server, open up the file and "Save Online" at which point they have
the option to synch their changes onto the server or discard all changes and
revert the plan back to the state it was in when last "Saved Offline"

Hope that helps...