Confirm which Project products are necessary

[Tammy]

I've been reading all the specs on MS Project 2003 Standard, Professional and
Server and have worked with all 3 so have some understanding of their
integration. However, I'm wondering about which products you would have to
have for the following scenario:

It is a very basic 2 user networked Windows environment. They have no need
for Project Server at this point, but may sometime in the future. I would
think they could just purchase 2 copies of Project Professional 2003 and then
just put their project files on the network server so that they could be
shared. (Understanding that they wouldn't be able to work in a particular
file at the same time). However, Microsoft has told us that you HAVE to have
SQL server as well. I don't understand why this would be necessary in the
scenario I've described?

Thanks,
Tammy

 

[Sarah]

Tammy,

To work strictly on the desktop, you do not need a SQL Server; that is
only to use Project Server. Your scenario of two users would work the
same with Project Pro or Standard; they are essentially the same
software. Did Microsoft tell you that, or did a wholesaler tell you? If
it was a wholesaler, then I would suggest they are trying to talk you
into buying things you don't need, and you should find a new one.

SarahK

 

[Tammy]

Thank you for your prompt reply Sarah! We are actually a reseller of MS
Product and so we called our Microsoft Rep and we were told you had to have
SQL. It just didn't make sense to me....

Thanks again!
Tammy

 

[Brian K - Project MVP]

I've been reading all the specs on MS Project 2003 Standard,
Professional and Server and have worked with all 3 so have some
understanding of their integration. However, I'm wondering about
which products you would have to have for the following scenario:

It is a very basic 2 user networked Windows environment. They have
no need for Project Server at this point, but may sometime in the
future. I would think they could just purchase 2 copies of Project
Professional 2003 and then just put their project files on the
network server so that they could be shared. (Understanding that
they wouldn't be able to work in a particular file at the same time).
However, Microsoft has told us that you HAVE to have SQL server as
well. I don't understand why this would be necessary in the scenario
I've described?

Thanks,
Tammy

For the scenario you describe they ONLY need 2 copies of Project
Standard. You do NOT need sql or Project Pro.

 

[Tammy]

Thanks Brian! I was thinking that if they had any possible intent of moving
forward with Project Server that they would be one step ahead by getting the
Professional desktop version but I do understand that it's not necessary to
do what I described. I really appreciate the help!
Thanks again,
Tammy

 

[Brian K - Project MVP]

Thank you for your prompt reply Sarah! We are actually a reseller of
MS Product and so we called our Microsoft Rep and we were told you
had to have SQL. It just didn't make sense to me....

Thanks again!
Tammy

You need to get back in touch with that person and make sure they
understood your requirements. If they understood them and still said
you need sql they need to be educated.

 

[JackD]

I understand your intent, but I think you are forgetting that software is
perishable. Microsoft has something like a five year support lifecycle for
Project. That means that Proj2003 has only about three years left. In
addition they seem to be releasing new versions every 2 - 3 years. Since it
has been two years since Proj2003 was released, the clock is certainly
ticking... If they are planning to move to Project Pro sometime soon then it
is a good idea, but if they are thinking about a year or two from now then
they may be better off waiting and upgrading when and if project200x comes
out.