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From: Atenoriob on 31 May 2010 10:48 Hi, First of all I'd like to thank you all for your responses. Creating a separate file is however no viable option given that all the tasks that utilize material and external resources are closely linked to tasks that use resources from the pool, total being around 2000 tasks for an average project. Creating links between several files would defeat the purpose of minimizing complexity given that it would make the relationships betwen tasks very complex, which would not only lead to confusions and eventually errors in the plan, but also would make it very slow given that some colleagues must access the file from overseas and connection speed is an issue. MS Project Server is in the short term out of the question given that it must be validated by the IT Division, then the servers must be brought online, and so on. I would not count on it for the next 2 years... Anyone has more suggestions inspite of these restrictions? Thanks in advance. "Jan De Messemaeker" wrote: > Hi, > > While it is still possible: yes, Project Server has this possibility to use > local resoruces and common resoruces in one file, the local ones remaining > local. > > -- > Jan De Messemaeker > Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional > +32 495 300 620 > For availability check: > http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf > "John" <mjensen(a)theriver.com> wrote in message > news:mjensen-98EEEE.07302928052010(a)msnews.microsoft.com... > > In article <D9426BDD-966F-4ED1-A4BE-BFD5278B79EC(a)microsoft.com>, > > Atenoriob <Atenoriob(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > > > >> We are trying to implement a central resource pool for our projects using > >> MS-Project 2003 Standard. The problem we are currently facing is that > >> Department personnel will be managed using a central resource pool in a > >> separate file, while material and external resources specific to each > >> project > >> must be planned individually (locally) in each project file. Given the > >> material volume each project handles, if it were to be entered in the > >> central > >> resource pool, it would become an unmanageable monster file. > >> > >> Up no now the only way we have found for sharing resources between files > >> has > >> been Tools ? Resource Sharing ? Share Resources ? Use Resources from > >> FILE.mpp. This option does not allow for a combination of local & central > >> resource management. Is there a way of accomplishing a dual solution? > >> > >> Thanks in advance. > > > > Atenoriob, > > One way to accomplish what you want is to create a separate file that > > has only the tasks with material and external resources - repartition > > existing tasks as necessary. Set up that file to use local resources and > > link it to your main project file using external dependencies as > > required. > > > > I don't know if Project Server has capabilities for both shared and > > local resources in a single file but you may want to explore that > > approach. Unfortunately the newsgroup that deals with Project Server is > > being "retired" along with this newsgroup so you will need to post your > > question to one of the new forums for Project. Start with, > > http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/projectserver20 > > 10,projectprofessional2010. > > > > Hope this helps. > > John > > Project MVP > > > . >
From: John on 31 May 2010 11:15 In article <CF9FF730-2723-425A-9CAF-3016BBD0416B(a)microsoft.com>, Atenoriob <Atenoriob(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > Hi, > > First of all I'd like to thank you all for your responses. > > Creating a separate file is however no viable option given that all the > tasks that utilize material and external resources are closely linked to > tasks that use resources from the pool, total being around 2000 tasks for an > average project. Creating links between several files would defeat the > purpose of minimizing complexity given that it would make the relationships > betwen tasks very complex, which would not only lead to confusions and > eventually errors in the plan, but also would make it very slow given that > some colleagues must access the file from overseas and connection speed is an > issue. > > MS Project Server is in the short term out of the question given that it > must be validated by the IT Division, then the servers must be brought > online, and so on. I would not count on it for the next 2 years... > > Anyone has more suggestions inspite of these restrictions? > > Thanks in advance. Altenoriob, You're welcome. Sorry the most viable approaches aren't right for your situation. Are there other ways to do what you need? Yes, but implementing them may not be optimal and/or may require development work for a VBA solution. Given some time you could probably come up with some type of algorithm to add in "local" resource and material costs through VBA. Or, depending on how you need to show material and external resources, you might be able to use the Fixed Cost field. If you want to pursue this discussion further you will need to repost to our new forum. This newsgroup is being shut down tomorrow, June 1st, 2010. The new forum can be found at, http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/projectserver20 10,projectprofessional2010 John Project MVP > > "Jan De Messemaeker" wrote: > > > Hi, > > > > While it is still possible: yes, Project Server has this possibility to use > > local resoruces and common resoruces in one file, the local ones remaining > > local. > > > > -- > > Jan De Messemaeker > > Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional > > +32 495 300 620 > > For availability check: > > http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf > > "John" <mjensen(a)theriver.com> wrote in message > > news:mjensen-98EEEE.07302928052010(a)msnews.microsoft.com... > > > In article <D9426BDD-966F-4ED1-A4BE-BFD5278B79EC(a)microsoft.com>, > > > Atenoriob <Atenoriob(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > > > > > >> We are trying to implement a central resource pool for our projects using > > >> MS-Project 2003 Standard. The problem we are currently facing is that > > >> Department personnel will be managed using a central resource pool in a > > >> separate file, while material and external resources specific to each > > >> project > > >> must be planned individually (locally) in each project file. Given the > > >> material volume each project handles, if it were to be entered in the > > >> central > > >> resource pool, it would become an unmanageable monster file. > > >> > > >> Up no now the only way we have found for sharing resources between files > > >> has > > >> been Tools ? Resource Sharing ? Share Resources ? Use Resources from > > >> FILE.mpp. This option does not allow for a combination of local & central > > >> resource management. Is there a way of accomplishing a dual solution? > > >> > > >> Thanks in advance. > > > > > > Atenoriob, > > > One way to accomplish what you want is to create a separate file that > > > has only the tasks with material and external resources - repartition > > > existing tasks as necessary. Set up that file to use local resources and > > > link it to your main project file using external dependencies as > > > required. > > > > > > I don't know if Project Server has capabilities for both shared and > > > local resources in a single file but you may want to explore that > > > approach. Unfortunately the newsgroup that deals with Project Server is > > > being "retired" along with this newsgroup so you will need to post your > > > question to one of the new forums for Project. Start with, > > > http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/projectserver20 > > > 10,projectprofessional2010. > > > > > > Hope this helps. > > > John > > > Project MVP > > > > > > . > >
From: Rod Gill on 31 May 2010 17:41 HI, I agree with John. Your only solution is a custom one, either developed directly in VBA or by using a 3rd party tool. www.mvps.org/project has a list of 3rd party tools. Personally, as an interim step to Project Server I favor VBA or an Add-in to export data to SQL Server for reporting purposes and to store inter project links. This is something I've done several times and find simple to implement. You use your pet SQL Server reporting tool for reports and keep all .mpp files separate with no links to pools or other files, so eliminating all file corruption risk. -- Rod Gill Microsoft MVP for Project - http://www.project-systems.co.nz Author of the only book on Project VBA, see: http://www.projectvbabook.com "John" <mjensen(a)theriver.com> wrote in message news:mjensen-C5DDE2.08150531052010(a)msnews.microsoft.com... > In article <CF9FF730-2723-425A-9CAF-3016BBD0416B(a)microsoft.com>, > Atenoriob <Atenoriob(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > >> Hi, >> >> First of all I'd like to thank you all for your responses. >> >> Creating a separate file is however no viable option given that all the >> tasks that utilize material and external resources are closely linked to >> tasks that use resources from the pool, total being around 2000 tasks for >> an >> average project. Creating links between several files would defeat the >> purpose of minimizing complexity given that it would make the >> relationships >> betwen tasks very complex, which would not only lead to confusions and >> eventually errors in the plan, but also would make it very slow given >> that >> some colleagues must access the file from overseas and connection speed >> is an >> issue. >> >> MS Project Server is in the short term out of the question given that it >> must be validated by the IT Division, then the servers must be brought >> online, and so on. I would not count on it for the next 2 years... >> >> Anyone has more suggestions inspite of these restrictions? >> >> Thanks in advance. > > Altenoriob, > You're welcome. Sorry the most viable approaches aren't right for your > situation. > > Are there other ways to do what you need? Yes, but implementing them may > not be optimal and/or may require development work for a VBA solution. > Given some time you could probably come up with some type of algorithm > to add in "local" resource and material costs through VBA. Or, depending > on how you need to show material and external resources, you might be > able to use the Fixed Cost field. > > If you want to pursue this discussion further you will need to repost to > our new forum. This newsgroup is being shut down tomorrow, June 1st, > 2010. The new forum can be found at, > http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/projectserver20 > 10,projectprofessional2010 > > John > Project MVP >> >> "Jan De Messemaeker" wrote: >> >> > Hi, >> > >> > While it is still possible: yes, Project Server has this possibility to >> > use >> > local resoruces and common resoruces in one file, the local ones >> > remaining >> > local. >> > >> > -- >> > Jan De Messemaeker >> > Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional >> > +32 495 300 620 >> > For availability check: >> > http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf >> > "John" <mjensen(a)theriver.com> wrote in message >> > news:mjensen-98EEEE.07302928052010(a)msnews.microsoft.com... >> > > In article <D9426BDD-966F-4ED1-A4BE-BFD5278B79EC(a)microsoft.com>, >> > > Atenoriob <Atenoriob(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: >> > > >> > >> We are trying to implement a central resource pool for our projects >> > >> using >> > >> MS-Project 2003 Standard. The problem we are currently facing is >> > >> that >> > >> Department personnel will be managed using a central resource pool >> > >> in a >> > >> separate file, while material and external resources specific to >> > >> each >> > >> project >> > >> must be planned individually (locally) in each project file. Given >> > >> the >> > >> material volume each project handles, if it were to be entered in >> > >> the >> > >> central >> > >> resource pool, it would become an unmanageable monster file. >> > >> >> > >> Up no now the only way we have found for sharing resources between >> > >> files >> > >> has >> > >> been Tools ? Resource Sharing ? Share Resources ? Use Resources from >> > >> FILE.mpp. This option does not allow for a combination of local & >> > >> central >> > >> resource management. Is there a way of accomplishing a dual >> > >> solution? >> > >> >> > >> Thanks in advance. >> > > >> > > Atenoriob, >> > > One way to accomplish what you want is to create a separate file that >> > > has only the tasks with material and external resources - repartition >> > > existing tasks as necessary. Set up that file to use local resources >> > > and >> > > link it to your main project file using external dependencies as >> > > required. >> > > >> > > I don't know if Project Server has capabilities for both shared and >> > > local resources in a single file but you may want to explore that >> > > approach. Unfortunately the newsgroup that deals with Project Server >> > > is >> > > being "retired" along with this newsgroup so you will need to post >> > > your >> > > question to one of the new forums for Project. Start with, >> > > http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/projectserver20 >> > > 10,projectprofessional2010. >> > > >> > > Hope this helps. >> > > John >> > > Project MVP >> > >> > >> > . >> > > > __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus > signature database 5159 (20100531) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. > > http://www.eset.com > > > __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 5159 (20100531) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com
From: Atenoriob on 1 Jun 2010 09:25 Thank you both for your great anwers. In the end the most viable solution would be to report the material costs as fix costs for their corresponding tasks and write a small notice stating what kind of material it is. This solution should work until we get Project Server. I will see you in the Forum, cheers! "Rod Gill" wrote: > HI, > > I agree with John. Your only solution is a custom one, either developed > directly in VBA or by using a 3rd party tool. www.mvps.org/project has a > list of 3rd party tools. > > Personally, as an interim step to Project Server I favor VBA or an Add-in to > export data to SQL Server for reporting purposes and to store inter project > links. This is something I've done several times and find simple to > implement. You use your pet SQL Server reporting tool for reports and keep > all .mpp files separate with no links to pools or other files, so > eliminating all file corruption risk. > > -- > > Rod Gill > Microsoft MVP for Project - http://www.project-systems.co.nz > > Author of the only book on Project VBA, see: http://www.projectvbabook.com > > > > > "John" <mjensen(a)theriver.com> wrote in message > news:mjensen-C5DDE2.08150531052010(a)msnews.microsoft.com... > > In article <CF9FF730-2723-425A-9CAF-3016BBD0416B(a)microsoft.com>, > > Atenoriob <Atenoriob(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > > > >> Hi, > >> > >> First of all I'd like to thank you all for your responses. > >> > >> Creating a separate file is however no viable option given that all the > >> tasks that utilize material and external resources are closely linked to > >> tasks that use resources from the pool, total being around 2000 tasks for > >> an > >> average project. Creating links between several files would defeat the > >> purpose of minimizing complexity given that it would make the > >> relationships > >> betwen tasks very complex, which would not only lead to confusions and > >> eventually errors in the plan, but also would make it very slow given > >> that > >> some colleagues must access the file from overseas and connection speed > >> is an > >> issue. > >> > >> MS Project Server is in the short term out of the question given that it > >> must be validated by the IT Division, then the servers must be brought > >> online, and so on. I would not count on it for the next 2 years... > >> > >> Anyone has more suggestions inspite of these restrictions? > >> > >> Thanks in advance. > > > > Altenoriob, > > You're welcome. Sorry the most viable approaches aren't right for your > > situation. > > > > Are there other ways to do what you need? Yes, but implementing them may > > not be optimal and/or may require development work for a VBA solution. > > Given some time you could probably come up with some type of algorithm > > to add in "local" resource and material costs through VBA. Or, depending > > on how you need to show material and external resources, you might be > > able to use the Fixed Cost field. > > > > If you want to pursue this discussion further you will need to repost to > > our new forum. This newsgroup is being shut down tomorrow, June 1st, > > 2010. The new forum can be found at, > > http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/projectserver20 > > 10,projectprofessional2010 > > > > John > > Project MVP > >> > >> "Jan De Messemaeker" wrote: > >> > >> > Hi, > >> > > >> > While it is still possible: yes, Project Server has this possibility to > >> > use > >> > local resoruces and common resoruces in one file, the local ones > >> > remaining > >> > local. > >> > > >> > -- > >> > Jan De Messemaeker > >> > Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional > >> > +32 495 300 620 > >> > For availability check: > >> > http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf > >> > "John" <mjensen(a)theriver.com> wrote in message > >> > news:mjensen-98EEEE.07302928052010(a)msnews.microsoft.com... > >> > > In article <D9426BDD-966F-4ED1-A4BE-BFD5278B79EC(a)microsoft.com>, > >> > > Atenoriob <Atenoriob(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > >> > > > >> > >> We are trying to implement a central resource pool for our projects > >> > >> using > >> > >> MS-Project 2003 Standard. The problem we are currently facing is > >> > >> that > >> > >> Department personnel will be managed using a central resource pool > >> > >> in a > >> > >> separate file, while material and external resources specific to > >> > >> each > >> > >> project > >> > >> must be planned individually (locally) in each project file. Given > >> > >> the > >> > >> material volume each project handles, if it were to be entered in > >> > >> the > >> > >> central > >> > >> resource pool, it would become an unmanageable monster file. > >> > >> > >> > >> Up no now the only way we have found for sharing resources between > >> > >> files > >> > >> has > >> > >> been Tools ? Resource Sharing ? Share Resources ? Use Resources from > >> > >> FILE.mpp. This option does not allow for a combination of local & > >> > >> central > >> > >> resource management. Is there a way of accomplishing a dual > >> > >> solution? > >> > >> > >> > >> Thanks in advance. > >> > > > >> > > Atenoriob, > >> > > One way to accomplish what you want is to create a separate file that > >> > > has only the tasks with material and external resources - repartition > >> > > existing tasks as necessary. Set up that file to use local resources > >> > > and > >> > > link it to your main project file using external dependencies as > >> > > required. > >> > > > >> > > I don't know if Project Server has capabilities for both shared and > >> > > local resources in a single file but you may want to explore that > >> > > approach. Unfortunately the newsgroup that deals with Project Server > >> > > is > >> > > being "retired" along with this newsgroup so you will need to post > >> > > your > >> > > question to one of the new forums for Project. Start with, > >> > > http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/projectserver20 > >> > > 10,projectprofessional2010. > >> > > > >> > > Hope this helps. > >> > > John > >> > > Project MVP > >> > > >> > > >> > . > >> > > > > > __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus > > signature database 5159 (20100531) __________ > > > > The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. > > > > http://www.eset.com > > > > > > > > __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 5159 (20100531) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. > > http://www.eset.com > > > > . >
From: John on 1 Jun 2010 10:43
In article <DFA5ED60-2C7C-4A3B-91A8-0BECB55A0293(a)microsoft.com>, Atenoriob <Atenoriob(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > Thank you both for your great anwers. In the end the most viable solution > would be to report the material costs as fix costs for their corresponding > tasks and write a small notice stating what kind of material it is. This > solution should work until we get Project Server. > > I will see you in the Forum, cheers! Atenoriob, You're welcome. John > > "Rod Gill" wrote: > > > HI, > > > > I agree with John. Your only solution is a custom one, either developed > > directly in VBA or by using a 3rd party tool. www.mvps.org/project has a > > list of 3rd party tools. > > > > Personally, as an interim step to Project Server I favor VBA or an Add-in > > to > > export data to SQL Server for reporting purposes and to store inter project > > links. This is something I've done several times and find simple to > > implement. You use your pet SQL Server reporting tool for reports and keep > > all .mpp files separate with no links to pools or other files, so > > eliminating all file corruption risk. > > > > -- > > > > Rod Gill > > Microsoft MVP for Project - http://www.project-systems.co.nz > > > > Author of the only book on Project VBA, see: http://www.projectvbabook.com > > > > > > > > > > "John" <mjensen(a)theriver.com> wrote in message > > news:mjensen-C5DDE2.08150531052010(a)msnews.microsoft.com... > > > In article <CF9FF730-2723-425A-9CAF-3016BBD0416B(a)microsoft.com>, > > > Atenoriob <Atenoriob(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > > > > > >> Hi, > > >> > > >> First of all I'd like to thank you all for your responses. > > >> > > >> Creating a separate file is however no viable option given that all the > > >> tasks that utilize material and external resources are closely linked to > > >> tasks that use resources from the pool, total being around 2000 tasks > > >> for > > >> an > > >> average project. Creating links between several files would defeat the > > >> purpose of minimizing complexity given that it would make the > > >> relationships > > >> betwen tasks very complex, which would not only lead to confusions and > > >> eventually errors in the plan, but also would make it very slow given > > >> that > > >> some colleagues must access the file from overseas and connection speed > > >> is an > > >> issue. > > >> > > >> MS Project Server is in the short term out of the question given that it > > >> must be validated by the IT Division, then the servers must be brought > > >> online, and so on. I would not count on it for the next 2 years... > > >> > > >> Anyone has more suggestions inspite of these restrictions? > > >> > > >> Thanks in advance. > > > > > > Altenoriob, > > > You're welcome. Sorry the most viable approaches aren't right for your > > > situation. > > > > > > Are there other ways to do what you need? Yes, but implementing them may > > > not be optimal and/or may require development work for a VBA solution. > > > Given some time you could probably come up with some type of algorithm > > > to add in "local" resource and material costs through VBA. Or, depending > > > on how you need to show material and external resources, you might be > > > able to use the Fixed Cost field. > > > > > > If you want to pursue this discussion further you will need to repost to > > > our new forum. This newsgroup is being shut down tomorrow, June 1st, > > > 2010. The new forum can be found at, > > > http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/projectserver20 > > > 10,projectprofessional2010 > > > > > > John > > > Project MVP > > >> > > >> "Jan De Messemaeker" wrote: > > >> > > >> > Hi, > > >> > > > >> > While it is still possible: yes, Project Server has this possibility > > >> > to > > >> > use > > >> > local resoruces and common resoruces in one file, the local ones > > >> > remaining > > >> > local. > > >> > > > >> > -- > > >> > Jan De Messemaeker > > >> > Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional > > >> > +32 495 300 620 > > >> > For availability check: > > >> > http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf > > >> > "John" <mjensen(a)theriver.com> wrote in message > > >> > news:mjensen-98EEEE.07302928052010(a)msnews.microsoft.com... > > >> > > In article <D9426BDD-966F-4ED1-A4BE-BFD5278B79EC(a)microsoft.com>, > > >> > > Atenoriob <Atenoriob(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > > >> > > > > >> > >> We are trying to implement a central resource pool for our projects > > >> > >> using > > >> > >> MS-Project 2003 Standard. The problem we are currently facing is > > >> > >> that > > >> > >> Department personnel will be managed using a central resource pool > > >> > >> in a > > >> > >> separate file, while material and external resources specific to > > >> > >> each > > >> > >> project > > >> > >> must be planned individually (locally) in each project file. Given > > >> > >> the > > >> > >> material volume each project handles, if it were to be entered in > > >> > >> the > > >> > >> central > > >> > >> resource pool, it would become an unmanageable monster file. > > >> > >> > > >> > >> Up no now the only way we have found for sharing resources between > > >> > >> files > > >> > >> has > > >> > >> been Tools ? Resource Sharing ? Share Resources ? Use Resources > > >> > >> from > > >> > >> FILE.mpp. This option does not allow for a combination of local & > > >> > >> central > > >> > >> resource management. Is there a way of accomplishing a dual > > >> > >> solution? > > >> > >> > > >> > >> Thanks in advance. > > >> > > > > >> > > Atenoriob, > > >> > > One way to accomplish what you want is to create a separate file > > >> > > that > > >> > > has only the tasks with material and external resources - > > >> > > repartition > > >> > > existing tasks as necessary. Set up that file to use local resources > > >> > > and > > >> > > link it to your main project file using external dependencies as > > >> > > required. > > >> > > > > >> > > I don't know if Project Server has capabilities for both shared and > > >> > > local resources in a single file but you may want to explore that > > >> > > approach. Unfortunately the newsgroup that deals with Project Server > > >> > > is > > >> > > being "retired" along with this newsgroup so you will need to post > > >> > > your > > >> > > question to one of the new forums for Project. Start with, > > >> > > http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/projectserv > > >> > > er20 > > >> > > 10,projectprofessional2010. > > >> > > > > >> > > Hope this helps. > > >> > > John > > >> > > Project MVP > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > . > > >> > > > > > > > __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus > > > signature database 5159 (20100531) __________ > > > > > > The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. > > > > > > http://www.eset.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature > > database 5159 (20100531) __________ > > > > The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. > > > > http://www.eset.com > > > > > > > > . > > |