MS Project Backend?

[Stephen Moras]

Hi,
I would like to use sql lite (as its free) as the backend for MS Project
rather then SQL Server (?) or MS Access.. Is it possible to do so..If yes
then how or any documentation available?

Thks

Cheers

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi Stephen,

When you do not use Project Server you need neither of those. Nothing.
Project Server is based on SQL server only.
HTH

 

[Stephen Moras]

Hi Jan,

Maybe i was not clear or maybe i have my info wrong. I am under the
impression tht MS Project stores all its data in the backend as an mpd(?)
file..This mpd is actually an MS Access file (?) ..My company doesnt want to
use MS Access but wants to use MSDE as its free n fast n reliable.

If i am wrong then how & in what format does MS project store its data?
whats its backend?

Thks

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

MS Project natively stores the data as .mpp files, a product specific
format.
You can through Save as choose between many alternatives:
mpd (Access indeed)
xml
through the ODBC button, any ODBC data base;
but I really wonder why you would force your users to each time go through
this routine.
Millions of users save as .mpp by just doing Save.

Unless of course you have other plans with the data.
HTH

 

[Stephen Moras]

Hi Jan,

We have all our data in Excel. Rather then manually type all over again we
want to automate the process. We want to programatically import the data into
MS Project thru Excel. We also want to control MS Project thru external
means. In short we want to avoid opening MS Project as much as possible.

Now to do all this we need to open MS Project. It has so many tables n
fields tht its very likely to get corrupted if we dont enter the required
data. Thus we belived tht inputting n contrlling thru MS Access was the best
way. Then we decided on MSDE as its free n no licencing issues n its server
based, so less load on clients machine.

Thus the question..But then again since u r most likely an expert wud u
agree with this method or do u have a better alternative?

Cheers

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

Personally to me the best way to have corrupted data is to modify Project's
data without any control, i.e. without opening Project.

If you modify Project's OBJECTS through VBA, for instance (rather than worry
about tables) Project will immediately react whan you enter something
impossible (like start, fiunish and duration that are not coherent, or a
circular link between tasks)

I admit this is a personal view (I know a lot about Project's objects, but I
can't even recognize a data base table when I see one). Most people know a
lot about all sorts of data bases and feel unhappy about Project modifying
that they have so scrupulously entered in their DB

By all means, when you want to update Project's data without Project open,
saving to a DB is an option.
And any ODBC data bae will do. But don't be upset when after opening the
file by Project, some data will change!

HTH

 

[Stephen Moras]

Hi Jan,

I understand the risks involved by fiddling with project data without
opening project. The chnaces of corruption r very pretty high. Though one can
minimise tht corruption by making sure the correct data is entered in the
correct fields. There is a MS document on Project 2000 somewhere which
defines the whole database structure. It gives a step by step guide on how to
add, edit or delete fields or records in Project. Hopefully tht shud help.

But then like u correctly mentioned, using VBA wud spring up errors but if i
directly fiddle witht he databse wud it give any error..Something tht i
definetly need to check.

The whole reason to go the backend way is to avoid buying a lot of Project
licenses and save some money. An Excel form wud be made for all and a program
wud read tht n edit the database directly..I guess only once we start wud we
know the problems tht wud crop up dusing such a methodology.

Thanks a ton for ur help
Cheers

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

Question is, what do you need of Project?
Just printouts or real users?
And BTW, one licence would be able to read Excel in VBA and update Project
as well..