Direct time update to Project Server 2003

[J Burford Fields]

I've searched the board and not seen any examples, but has anyone seen
anybody doing automated time inputs into user records in Project
2003? A client wants to consolidate information in MKS and push it to
Project.

I find the whole notion of direct inputs to Project Server's
underlying SQL Server increadibly frightening, but want to make sure
there isn't a known way to do this.

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

JB:

It certainly can be done, however most T&A systems do not collect the data
at the granular level that Project needs to drive task progress. I suggest
that you recommend to your client that they should wait to build this
integration until they upgrade to 2007, which provides better options for
tackling this problem.

--

Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
MSProjectExperts
For Project Server Consulting: http://www.msprojectexperts.com
For Project Server FAQS: http://www.projectserverexperts.com

 

[J Burford Fields]

JB:

It certainly can be done, however most T&A systems do not collect the data
at the granular level that Project needs to drive task progress. I suggest
that you recommend to your client that they should wait to build this
integration until they upgrade to 2007, which provides better options for
tackling this problem.

--

Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
MSProjectExperts
For Project Server Consulting:http://www.msprojectexperts.com
For Project Server FAQS:http://www.projectserverexperts.com






- Show quoted text -

Thanks Gary. I probably need to learn more tact, but already made
that suggestion and the CM folks are complaining to my boss that I'm
not responsive. It's been a very quiet job for many months and
supported me through a long bit of surgery and recovery, so I can
afford to be philosophical about it the occasional bit of drama.

Specifically, they want to use a MKS Integrity tool that interfaces
with Project. Best I can tell, however, this is an old product
designed to integrate with MS Project 2000 on Windows 98. I've made
several forays through the MKS site without finding newer information.

 

[Marc Soester [MVP]]

I dont think that it is a good idea at all to hit the db directly. Project
Server 2003 consist of an web service ( quite clumsy and not all functions
are accessable), but I would investigate first to use this method. If you go
to the Microsoft page and search for the Project Server 2003 SDK you will
find some great examples and this may brings you into the right direction.

Hope this helps

 

[Rod Gill]

Hi,

PDS development in PS 2003 is a bit of a dead end as PDS has been completely
replaced by 2007's PSI programming interface. However, given you have an
existing application then you can use VBA to import actual hours into
project schedules. Project VBA so far has been very upgradeable. I have a
number of Project 98 macros that run happily in 2007. A VBA solution
(working directly with an open project), whilst not the most advanced will
allow you to transport your solution to Project 2007 until you retire your
MKS application and start using Project 2007 Task updates.

For VBA to be able to reliably update projects, you need to be able to
export current Task and resource unique IDs to MKS and for the timesheet
data returned to Project to have those same Unique Task and Resource IDs so
your VBA code can reliably match existing tasks and resources to timesheet
data.

If you choose this route, my VBA book has all the sample code needed to
build this solution, or I can help directly.

--

Rod Gill
Project MVP

Project VBA Book, for details visit:
http://www.projectvbabook.com

NEW!! Web based VBA training course delivered by me. For details visit:
http://projectservertraining.com/learning/index.aspx

 

[J Burford Fields]

Hi,

PDS development in PS 2003 is a bit of a dead end as PDS has been completely
replaced by 2007's PSI programming interface. However, given you have an
existing application then you can use VBA to import actual hours into
project schedules. Project VBA so far has been very upgradeable. I have a
number of Project 98 macros that run happily in 2007. A VBA solution
(working directly with an open project), whilst not the most advanced will
allow you to transport your solution to Project 2007 until you retire your
MKS application and start using Project 2007 Task updates.

For VBA to be able to reliably update projects, you need to be able to
export current Task and resource unique IDs to MKS and for the timesheet
data returned to Project to have those same Unique Task and Resource IDs so
your VBA code can reliably match existing tasks and resources to timesheet
data.

If you choose this route, my VBA book has all the sample code needed to
build this solution, or I can help directly.

--

Rod Gill
Project MVP

Project VBA Book, for details visit:
http://www.projectvbabook.com

NEW!! Web based VBA training course delivered by me. For details visit:
http://projectservertraining.com/learning/index.aspx

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- Show quoted text -

I do own your VBA book, Rod. While I do not have a test or training
environment to just play in, what I've read of it made me want to
learn more. I'm cautious about experimenting in my current
environment, but it is reassuring to hear that 2003 artifices will
not be lost with the 2007 upgrade.