[PS2007] - Auto Generate Project ID

[godrid]

Hi,

I was asked to create a project custom field "Project ID" that will auto
generate a unique ID (running number) when a new project is being saved. I
plan to store the project ID running number in a sharepoint list and using
server-side event handler to trigger my codes to update the project ID. The
question is whether I could create an event before saving of project plan in
Project Professional (or proposal in PWA) and able to update the Project ID
while the project plan is still checked out?

Regards
Godrid

 

[Rod Gill]

Why not use the GUID that is created in Project Server?

If you have to have an integer number then you could save the current list
in a Text file on the server or create a number based on the date and time.
Server events will only be fired when a project is saved or published, so
wouldn't work before then. You could read SharePoint fields from a
SharePoint list directly from the db, but I think a text file will be much
quicker and simpler. It can easily be re-built from a reporting db query of
all projects and their Project ID field.

--

Rod Gill
Microsoft MVP for Project

Author of the only book on Project VBA, see:
http://www.projectvbabook.com

 

[godrid]

Hi Rod,

Thanks for your reply. The Project ID that we wanted is coded in a special
format with financial year and project sponsor information and will be used
as a reference for enterprise wide. Accessing from text file or sharepoint
database is ok for us but we are more concerned whether we could update the
Project ID while the project plan is still checked out?

I have another question, if I need to transfer some project custom field
values from another one project to another, what is the best method to do so?
Using macros or PSI?

Thanks and Best Regards
Godrid

 

[Rod Gill]

With the project still checked out, PSI is not a solution. Start simple and
evolve as required!

To transfer custom field data, simplest solution is to use OLEDB to read the
data from the Reporting database. Look at the built in Views with names
ending with _Userview. These all have custom field data added automatically
to them.

--

Rod Gill
Microsoft MVP for Project

Author of the only book on Project VBA, see:
http://www.projectvbabook.com