Server vs Central

[Sarah]

I did some research on Project Server about 1.5 years ago and haven't look at
it much since (was overkill at the time) and am now looking at options once
again. Is Server abd Central two different products or one in the same but
renamed? If they are different what are the main differences and where can I
find additional information?

Thanks much!

 

[JackD]

Server is the second generation. It supercedes Project central.
I don't think there is any good reason to look at Project Central anymore.

 

[Rolly Perreaux]

I did some research on Project Server about 1.5 years ago and haven't look at
it much since (was overkill at the time) and am now looking at options once
again. Is Server abd Central two different products or one in the same but
renamed? If they are different what are the main differences and where can I
find additional information?

Thanks much!

Hi Sarah,

Here's the version list:

Microsoft Project Central (v.1)
Microsoft Project Server 2002 (v.2)
Microsoft Office Project Server 2003 (v.3)

Project Central and Project Server 2003 are very very different
products. In fact you can't buy Project Central anymore.

You might want to check out the following webcast:

Support WebCast: New features and benefits in Microsoft Office Project
Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;835299

Good Luck

--
Rolly Perreaux, PMP
Project Server Trainer/Consultant

IT Summit Series
Advanced Microsoft Technology Training
http://www.itsummitseries.com

 

[JimS]

Hi Sarah,

To Provide some balance to the postings so far I will suggest that it may
not be as clear as suggested depending upon your situation. Project Central
was included in Project 2000 and while neither is being produced by MS any
longer they are supported. If you have MS Project 2000 or Project Pro
licenses Project Central is a very good solution for small to medium size
project teams. If you need to purchase licenses then Project Server may be
the better solution.

Project Server is basically made up of SQL Server for the backend database,
the MS Project Pro client and the Project Web Access web interface. It also
sets up come weak interfaces to SharePoint for tieing issues and risks to
tasks. The greatest strengths of Project Server is the enterprise wide
management of resources and roll-up reporting and analysis you get through
the SQL database. It also scales from small to large.

Project Central is the first version of Project Web Access (from a users
perspective it changed little) and can work with MS Project without the SQL
Server requirement. However, you can set it up for using a SQL Server
database or use the free MSDE or use the native .mpp file which basically is
the difference between supporting medium or small teams. You can also create
ties between Project Central and Team Services, which is included in MS
Office.

I continue to use both Project Central and Project Server depending upon the
situation.

Regards,
Jim Stoaks, PMP
iProject Office Consulting, LLC
(e-mail address removed)