PWA CALs & Project Server Accounts

[MarcG]

We are new Project Server users. Our company bought the base Server package
that includes 5 client access licenses (CALs). We were under the impression
that Project Pro users require a CAL and that Project Web Access users do
not. We have since learned that PWA users DO require a CAL. Given we have
100+ potential PWA users we are would like to implement Server/PWA in phases
to mitigate the unplanned expense of buying 100+ CALs, while remaining fully
compliant with the license agreement.

We need all 100+ resources in the resource pool so that they can be assigned
to projects. However, all 100+ do not need to access PWA. We do understand
that if a resource cannot access PWA he cannot receive assignments or update
information. Our thought is to initially buy 25 PWA CALs for our power users.

Our questions are:
1. Can a resource be created in the resource pool if that resource does not
have a Server account?

2. If a resource must or should have a Server account, can we create the
account and limit PWA access to the 25 power users by simply not installing
CALs on the non-power users' computers?

3. Any observations regarding our comments or plan will be much appreciated.

Regards,
MarcG

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

MarcG --

When you create resources in the Enterprise Resource Pool, this
automatically created corresponding user accounts in PWA. Concerning the
CAL issue, the good news is that you only need to purchase CAL's for each
resource who will actually use PWA. Your user's of Microsoft Project
Professional automatically get a CAL included with the purchase of that
software, so that should help, too. Hope this helps.

 

[Ray]

In addition to Dale's comments, you can create the resources of people that
do not have PWA CALs as generic resources. Once you buy them a CAL, you can
change the generic resource to the real person.

Ray

 

[MarcG]

Dale,

Thank you for your response. I now understand adding a resource creates a
PWA account. Returning to Q2: Although we have 100 resources would the best
way to limit PWA access to the 25 CAL owners be by not installing CALs on the
remaining 75 computers? Is there a way to tie a pool of 25 CALs to the server
and have the 100 resources "share" them to access PWA (non-concurrently; the
26th to connect would not be granted a license)?

MarcG

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

MarcG --

I think you are misunderstanding how CAL's work. I do not believe you
install a CAL on any user's PC. You simply purchase them from Microsoft.
Anyone who will access PWA will need a CAL. Thus, if all 100 people will
access PWA, you will need to purchase 100 CAL's. If in doubt, please
contact your Microsoft rep for a definitive answer. Hope this helps.

 

[Ben Howard]

And remember, if a user has Project Pro installed on their machine, then the
Pro licence already includes a Project Server CAL, so exclude these users
from the ones who you need to buy a CAL for.