Project Server CAL - when are they required?

[David Chadwick]

Hi,

I am trying to work out exactly when a Project Server CAL is required. Does
anyone know the answers to the following questions:

1. The only thing a user does is enter Timesheet data into Project Server
(using PWA). Do they need a Project Server CAL?
2. The only thing a user does is access a couple of Project Workspaces (eg,
to get documentation for something). The user does not access PWA. This
user already has a SharePoint CAL. Do they need a Project Server CAL?
3. We create a SQL Reporting Services report which consumes data from some
of the Project databases (eg, a traffic-light status report on the Projects
currently running). Do the consumers of this report need Project Server
CALs?

Sorry for the boring questions.

Cheers,
David

 

[Andrew Lavinsky]

Check with your Microsoft rep for the most accurate, up to date answers.
That being said, the following rule of thumb is applicable:

Anything which allows the user to see "real time" data from project server
databases requires a CAL. Timesheets (actually any Project Server Webpart)
require a CAL. SQL Reports that are autogenerated at the click of a button
or that reside on a site need a CAL.

If someone generates a report and sends it out - technically that doesn't
need a CAL for the recipient, but does for the person who generated it.
But if the recipient is consuming a report which pulls data directly from
the Reporting DB, then a CAL is required.

Hence the question that always comes up....what if we create an SSRS report
and put a time lag on it? The answer is that I don't know that one, but
if the question is seriously asked, then most likely the organization isn't
all that interested in investing the time and effort to get a true EPM solution
up and running anyway.

Hope that helps...

 

[David Chadwick]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks - that does help!

Specifically, do you know whether accessing Project Workspaces requires a
CAL? Project Workspaces are really just standard SharePoint sites that are
created along with a Project so I wondered if having a SharePoint CAL might
be enough.

Many of our users will not use PWA but will have access to Project
Workspaces (to read documentation, for example) - I wonder if they need a
Project CAL? All our users already have a SharePoint CAL. This particular
point makes a big difference to us. The number of users who will actively
use Project and/or PWA is not that high - but almost everyone in the company
will probably have access to at least one Project Workspace for 1 reason or
another.

I have asked my Microsoft rep as well and I am waiting for a response -
can't hurt to ask around though.

Cheers,
David

 

[Andrew Lavinsky]

If they have Project Server Webparts, then most likely they do need a CAL.
That probably includes the Risks, Issues, Deliverables and Project Documents
lists.

You may opt to just use the default SharePoint Team Site, which is almost
the same thing (sans the Project Server features). There is no absolute
requirement to link projects to sites. Then you could put a link from the
Team Site to a page with all of the Project Server webparts and lock down
the security on it.


- Andrew Lavinsky
Blog: http://blogs.catapultsystems.com/epm

 

[sudhir raghur]

Hi David

Did you hear from micrsoft rep ?? can you please share that information and looking for same kind of info.

Thanks in advance



David Chadwick wrote:

Hi Andrew,Thanks - that does help!
20-Dec-09

Hi Andrew

Thanks - that does help

Specifically, do you know whether accessing Project Workspaces requires
CAL? Project Workspaces are really just standard SharePoint sites that ar
created along with a Project so I wondered if having a SharePoint CAL migh
be enough

Many of our users will not use PWA but will have access to Projec
Workspaces (to read documentation, for example) - I wonder if they need
Project CAL? All our users already have a SharePoint CAL. This particula
point makes a big difference to us. The number of users who will activel
use Project and/or PWA is not that high - but almost everyone in the compan
will probably have access to at least one Project Workspace for 1 reason o
another

I have asked my Microsoft rep as well and I am waiting for a response
cannot hurt to ask around though. :

Cheers
Davi

"Andrew Lavinsky" <(Catapult Systems)> wrote in message

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