Project Server & Professional Stability

[Sumit]

Hi,
My client wants to use SQL 2005 (specifically the cube part) which is not
supported by Project 2003 and hence I recommended them Project Server 2007.
Though I've not tested it personally but I am assuming it to be in a stable
condition as it is in Beta 2 with a TR. This assumption is based on my
testing of SPS 2007 which is quite stable now.

What do you experts recommend? Should I recommend them to use 2007 and later
upgrade to RTM or convince using Project 2003 with SQL 2000? In terms of
investment i thought it would make sense to invest in a new product and later
upgrade once RTM is released.

Any thoughts?

Regards,
Sumit.

 

[Rod Gill]

You cannot advise anyone to use a Beta product for live work. There are bugs
there and things will change from beta to final releases. However, the RTM
for '07 is not far off at all.

Talk to your local Microsoft Office. At this stage in the product cycle they
will often let you buy product now with a free upgrade when the next release
comes out.

You can run Project Server 2003 on SQL Server 2005 but I doubt whether PWA
2003 recognises any extra features SQL Server 2005 supports.

Once '07 is released you can buy '07 licenses but choose to install '03
versions using the '07 license for that copy of '03. You can then choose
when you upgrade to '07 without having to buy new licenses.
--

Rod Gill
Project MVP

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

 

[Sumit]

Hi Rod Gill,
I've read on MS site that in order to use Analysis functionality we need to
install SQL 2000 Analysis services as virtual cube is not supported in 2005.
Even installing Project 2003 on SQL 2005 is not straight forward and requires
a workaround. Hence I guess the best bet would be to ask them to install
project 2003 on SQL 2000 and later upgrade to RTM.

Thanks.
Sumit.

 

[ITByte]

Sumit,

Thought I'm no project expert, I am familiar with MS licensing. As Rod
mentioned you are licenced for downgrade rights which basically means if you
have a license for a product you can run any prior version (providing you can
get the media and CD Keys). I would recommend that the client waits to
purchase the Project Server 2007 licensing.

Greg