Help - what version of project do i need?

[dalerguy]

Hello,

I'm doing to investigating on MSP. Looking for the least expensive method.

I need some insight as to what product(s) we need to purchase for our
office. We have 5 people that will require this product to work on
projects. And they want to share or be able to colaborate. But to me buying
MSP server and Pro seems a bit like over kill. Maybe I'm wrong, but I need
some expert opinions.

I don't know if it is necessary to purchase MSP Server and Professional. Or
will Professional 2002 alone fit the bill for our situation.

Is there a way with the standard version to access one project file by
multiple users, via a network.

The cheapest method is what I'm looking for.

Any help will be appreciated.

mwl

 

[Jack D.]

Hello,

I'm doing to investigating on MSP. Looking for the least expensive method.

I need some insight as to what product(s) we need to purchase for our
office. We have 5 people that will require this product to work on
projects. And they want to share or be able to colaborate. But to me
buying MSP server and Pro seems a bit like over kill. Maybe I'm wrong,
but I need some expert opinions.

I don't know if it is necessary to purchase MSP Server and Professional.
Or will Professional 2002 alone fit the bill for our situation.

Is there a way with the standard version to access one project file by
multiple users, via a network.

The cheapest method is what I'm looking for.

Any help will be appreciated.

mwl

No matter which version of project you use, only one person at a time can
have the project open for editing.
If you really want to be cheap, buy 5 copies of project 2000 on ebay (I see
several copies listed for $120 each) and use it.
For desktop scheduling the difference between Project 2000 and 2002 is very
small.

Also note that Project 2003 is due out this year. I'm not sure what effect
that will have on pricing, but it might make you want to consider waiting
for it to be released if you are planning on going with 2002.


--
Please try to keep replies in this group. I do check e-mail, but only
infrequently. For Macros and other things check http://masamiki.com/project

-Jack Dahlgren, Project MVP


+++++++++++++++++++

 

[William Raymond]

Hi Dalerguy,

To add a few more thoughts to Jack's response:

- I would stick with Project 2002 and use the Pro version because it will
have the workgroup-based collaboration features you may indeed want to use.

- You can create an Access or SQL Database for MS Project to use in order to
provide a shared environment with some level of security and less of a
chance of files getting corrupted with multiple people attempting to access
the same project at the same time. Project Server is not requried to create
a simple database back-end for all projects.

- If you are looking to do portfolio management, timesheet tracking,
integrated issues, integrated document sharing and integrated status
reports, then Project Server will be needed.

Hope this helps,

-Bill
--
Microsoft Project MVP
http://www.capstone.com
wraymond at capstone dot com

Project FAQs: http://www.mvps.org/project/