Outlook add-in - impact to non-project users

[Jan]

We are looking to roll-out the outlook add-in to the enterprise in order to
remove the need for each indiviudal user to do it themself.

My expectation for those non-users of project server is that they will
just see the two additional buttons in the project server toolbar, and can
even remove it should they choice, with no other impact.

Is my expecation correct?

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Jan --

Before you roll out this Add-In for everyone, I would strongly encourage you
to test it on a small group of users. You need to thoroughly understand how
it works, and what are its limitation. Also, you will also need for each of
them to configure the settings for the Add-In to handle task assignments
from Project Server. These options show up in the Options dialog. Hope
this helps.

 

[Jan]

Thank you Dale, your insight is always appreciated.

Jan

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Jan --

You are more than welcome, my friend!

 

[Anum_10]

Hi Dale,

We are testing outlook add-in with a small group of people. We have Project
Server 2007. Majority of times it gives 'reload outlook add-in' error.

Can you plesae let me know how I can thoroughly understand how it works, and
what are its limitation?

Thanks!

 

[Brian Lukanic]

Dale,

Can you expand on your comment about understasnding the limitations of the
add-in? We are beginning to open our MOPS2007 with a connection to Outlook
2003 clients and have started to experience some odd erro messages (such as
"check your COM objects,) and sometimes the import process hangs. So far only
one user has experienced this but I am curious if you are aware of any
current known issues with the add-in. We are fully patched, BTW.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Brian --

I don't keep a list of all of the errors associated with the Outlook add-in
for Project Server 2007. However, you can easily search the Knowledge Base
(KB) articles on Project Server 2007 at the following URL and look for
problems associated with the add-in:

http://support.microsoft.com/search/?spid=11388&adv=1

I think your users may find the Outlook add-in both disappointing and
frustrating to use. It has many limitations, believe me, and you will
discover these limitations by testing the add-in with a small group of
users.

There was functionality in Project Server 2003 that allowed a user to
display their View My Tasks page in an Outlook folder. Many people really
liked this feature in 2003, but Microsoft removed this functionality in
2007. I wrote a blog post that shows you how to create the folder manually:

http://www.projectserverhelp.com/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=77

You might find this approach easier to use and far less frustrating.
Hope this helps.

 

[Brian Lukanic]

I like it, Dale. thanks for another helpful hint. I think I'm going to have
to check my library of MSProjectExperts books on the plane to Phoenix just so
I can get your, Gary's and Rod's autographs!!