Project Server 2007 - Should We Wait it out ??

I

ITByte

Hello All,

We have been evaluating PS 2003 for the last month in a test environment.
I'm ready at this point to start a real configuration and get a group testing
a few projects before we make the purchase. I really hate to start a system
configuration and setup outline codes, custom views etc.... only to know that
the next version is right around the corner. For those of you working with
Project Server 2007... are the new features worth the wait if you were
starting an installation from scratch ? Should I be looking at 2007 now, vs
trying to understand all of the in's and out's of 2003 ?

Thanks

Greg
 
J

J Burford Fields

(Good question.

Well, I'm not playing with it, yet, but I'm expecting this to be a very
useful upgrade, from what I've read, and from hints picked up from
others on this newsgroup.

Whether it is worth waiting depends upon when it is going to be
released, whether you would be comfortable as an early adopter, and
pricing.

I'll put a slightly more positive spin on this than most. While I've
given Microsoft and others in the aligned professional community the
benefit of my ire over various shortcomings of various products, in the
past, my overal impression is that Microsoft products, even beta
products, deliver a lot of quality. So much so that one tend to be
annoyed when things are not exactly perfect, or some ability to do the
next neat thing has to wait until the next release or a third-party
developer.

I expect more from Microsoft than I do any other vendor, and I'm use to
their delivering.

I think of Project Server as a particularly sophisticated product, more
technical in its applications than Office. Another product that I
think of this way is ISA Server. In my mind, the improvements of the
last version of ISA Server, bode well for what we're going to see in
the next version of Project Server. From ISA Server's release, I infer
that Microsoft is employing better and better tools for their own
development, I see and expect for new interfaces to keep improving, and
there's always some thoughtful new functionality--sometimes ideas that
I wish I had thought of myself, earlier. It can seem a bit like when a
favorite relative who has a knack for giving you simple presents that,
because they know you, are more useful than some of the junk you buy
for yourself.

While I can't use beta for production with clients, I often wish I
owned a company that would let me leverage some of the advantages of
early-adoption for profits. But then again my own tolerance for risk,
others might see as foolhardy. I have a long history of commuting with
two-wheeled vehicles in bad weather... never mind the stories about
submarines surfacing in huricanes.

That's my two-bits.

J
 
I

ITByte

J,

Thanks for the reply. Funny comment regarding 2 wheels..... I'm often
referred to here as the "Marathon Rider"! But hey the snow will be flying
here soon, and I'm a diehard. Regarding MS.... I would agree that the final
product will be up to the task. That's why I'm contemplating a hold out, and
become an early adopter of the latest and greatest. With a project of this
magnitude (300 users), I'm inclined to not launch PS 2003 to the masses, and
expect them to welcome an upgrade and learning curve, less than 2 months
later.

Greg
 
E

Engelbert

I would wait.

Because WSSv3 is completely integrated into Project Server 2007 you avoid
all the problems that are connected with Syncing between two separate
products (Proj Server 2003 and WSS) that you have with the 2003 versions of
the products. [Not to mention the enhanced functionality the 2007 products
bring.]

It seems to me crazy that with 3 months to go to release, people are still
(I have such a customer too) just now installing Project Server 2003.

my five cents ...

Engelbert
 
G

Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]

You should base your decision to move forward on your organizational
readiness and requirements, not on the software version. You should purchase
software assurance if you choose to move forward with 2003.
 
I

ITByte

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I'm inclined to think at this
point the wait for 2007 will happen here. Since this implementation for the
most part will be "home grown" (can't seem to find any local consulting that
has the experience, or desire to be hired for this product), I would rather
avoid the need to migrate the system in a few short months. Correct me if I'm
wrong, but it would appear from my reading that Project Server 07 is a major
overhaul of the product.

Thanks

Greg
 
J

J Burford Fields

If you want to ride in that neck of the woods you might have more to
contend with!
 
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