Project Server Training

[claptik]

I have been asked by my boss to integrate an existing .net web app with an
installation of project server we have. I don't have much time before we get
started and he asked me to look for a training course on project server. Is
anyone aware of any courses that cover more the architechture of Project
Server, PDS, and related topics? Im looking for a developer oriented
technical course more than one on how to implement project server. Any
feedback is welcome. Thanks.

-Chris

 

[mark.everett]

Chris -

You have hit upon a need that I don't think is well served by the
Project Server / Microsoft Partner community. I don't know of any
single course that addressess your needs since what you want to do (if
I understand your needs correctly) requires some understanding of the
PDS and possibly EDM methods, the SQL database, modifying webparts in
PWA and perhaps some security and / or WSS modifications.

Most of the training that is available for Project Server is aimed at
the implementation, the admin and config and the user level training.
Training for developers is based on the development tools used.
Microsoft gives you some here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/office/understanding/project/default.aspx

Since the original application is already .net, you have a good start.
Look at the materials available on the link and see if they help. If
not, you might want to get several days to a week of consulting that
would be structered as hands on development and knowledge transfer.
Disclaimer: I work for a Microsoft Partner so this sounds
self-serving, but I don't mean it to be.

Hope this helps,
Mark S. Everett | PMP
www.quantumpm.com

 

[claptik]

Thanks Mark. Your description of our training needs is exactly correct. I
had a feeling the answer was going to be there are no courses that address
this need but I thought I'd ask anyways. I don't think I will have trouble
learning through the MS Project PDS SDK and other online resources but we
thought we'd try to take the easy way out and pay for some training if it was
available given our time constraints. Right now I am just trying to get a
good understanding of the technical capabilities of project server so we know
what it can and can't do when we define our integration requirements. Thanks
again and we will keep your company in mind if we decide consulting is a
viable option.

-Chris

 

[mark.everett]

Chris -

Thanks, but that's not why I post .

Recently, I worked with a client that decided to do a lot of custom
development work for Project Server - automating a lot of processes
such as project initiation, loading resources, loading custom field and
custom outline code values, etc. It was a very large effort, with a
steep learning curve, but a few good developers got a lot done. They
needed help from time to time, but so does every one.

From a development point of view - the PDS Methods was relatively easy.

Mods to PWA was sometimes more difficult because just editing the
existing XML often only provided part of the solution.

Good luck and post here and in the developers forum with questions.

Mark