Project Server 2003

[Mark Schaffel]

I purchased MS Proj Server 2003 from Dell who assured me
it's a stand alone product. How I'm not so sure. Is
there a stand alone database the installation lays down o
musst I purchase MS SQL Server as a foundation. Will any
of the downloadable versions (like the desktop version)
work on my server instead. Do I need to purchase MS
Project separately? Any first hand experience and
expertise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Mark Schaffel
Director of Information Services; Econocare, Inc.
Lincolnwood, IL

 

[JackD]

Dell was wrong. Really wrong. Project Server is nearly useless without at
least one copy of Project Professional to build projects. You will also need
client access licenses if you have more users than the server comes with
(Typically I've seen 5 client access licenses coming with Project Server)
Here is what Microsoft says about the system requirements:

"Project Server 2003 processor, RAM, and hard-disk requirements are highly
dependent on the number of services installed on the computer and the load
on the server. Minimum requirements assume one server on which all Project
Server components and supporting technologies (that is, Microsoft SQL
ServerT, Microsoft Windows® SharePointT Services) are installed. Windows
SharePoint Services is required for project collaboration; Windows
SharePoint Services requires Windows Server 2003 or later and the NTFS file
system; Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services with SP3 or later (included
with Microsoft SQL Server) is required for Portfolio Analyzer (OLAP
Reporting); e-mail requires Microsoft Exchange 5.5, 2000, or later; Internet
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol/Post Office Protocol 3 (SMTP/POP3), Internet
Message Access Protocol 4 (IMAP4), or MAPI-compliant messaging software is
required for e-mail notifications"

source: http://www.microsoft.com/office/project/prodinfo/serverreq.mspx

so if you really want to use all the features of Project Server, it appears
that SQL Server and Windows Server 2003 are required as well as Exchange.

I suggest that if you are going to deploy and use Project Server that you do
a lot more research about what it is and how it works. It is a complicated
product and requires standardizing on project management processes in order
to get the best use out of it or even to get it working effectively at all.
I'm certain that some time spent with a good consultant will repay itself
many times over. I am not a consultant and I generally despise consultants,
but in this case it is nearly a necessity.

-Jack

 

[Gary L. Chefetz \(MVP\)]

Jack:

Exchange Server is not required. SQL Server and Windows Server 2003 at
minimum, plus project client and CAL licenses for Web Access.

--

Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
"We wrote the book on Project Server
http://www.msprojectexperts.com

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