I use several tools for PM, depending upon the client. Past Microsoft product have not been able to be in a truly Enterprise environment. Enterprise environments require multiple users accessing large to very large databases which maintain the schedules. MS Project through 2000 using Project Central just does not cut the mustard. I currently have a client using Primavera P3e and I am starting my evaluation of MS Project 2002. I know some basic pros and cons of both products, however what does anyone have in truly comparing the two tools? Saving Changes...
Ion, We understand those issues, we are trying to compare functionality, ruggedness, and usefullness. Those other do not come into play until we can compare the rest.
Also to Sean, I know there are several tools out there, Artimus is another, however these are the two tools I am tasked to compare for now. Saving Changes...
You're right, MSP is not really an enterprise solution, even with MSP2002. Of course they have added the MS Project Server in MSP2002 to address enterprise needs, but this is really just a "wrapper" solution because the underlying file structure used is still the old *.mpp files.
Ultimately, this means:
1) Only 1 user can make changes to a project at one time, using check-in/check-out process everytime edits are made. This means that the project information seen by other users are not real time, but "as of last check-out date".
2) Security is on a per-project level. This means that everyone having access to the project can do view/add/delete all project information (e.g. activities, resources, costs, etc.). This is hardly collaborative.
Primavera P3e does not have this problem because it uses one database (iether Oracle of MSSQL) to store all projects. Also, P3e security is on a functionality-level (e.g. add resource, view costs, view activities, etc.)
Of course there are a lot of other differences, but these issues alone spell the difference between the two.
Best, gaultz Saving Changes...
John SchlichterFounder| OPM Experts LLC http://opmexperts.comAtlanta, Ga, United States
