Implementing Program Support in Project Server 2010 - Part 2

In this post, I will cover how the Program  support can be enabled using another product from FluentPro products portfolio - FluentPro Autocomplete Manager.

Autocomplete manager allows to enable auto complete feature to project level custom text field and get the data from 3 data sources:
- SQL Server Query
- SharePoint List
- Project Server Security Group

So, let's start.

I assume that Autocomplete Manager is installed and licensed.

1. Create 3 fields:

• Portfolio Name - project level, Text, Single line
• Program Name - project level, Text, Single line
• IsProgram - project level, Flag

2. Add these 3 fields to Project Information PDP

3. Create 2 projects, Program A, Program B and "check" IsProgram field.

4. Create new SharePoint List in PWA and call it Corporate Portfolio. Add 3 items - Portfolio A, Portfolio B, Portfolio C

5. Got to Server Settings -> Project Detail Pages and open Project Information PDP for edit.
next to Program name and Portfolio Name fields you will see icon - that's icon for Autocomplete Manager settings for that field.

6. Click on first icon (next to Program Name). We want to configure this field to pick values from Reporting Database for this PWA so we can build a list of projects that are "programs" (have IsProgram = 1). Fill the data as shown here (please note that you might need to provide credentials / get access to DB. Talk to your DB Admin):

You can test both connection string and SQL Query for errors in run time by clicking on Test buttons.

7. Let's configure Portfolio Name field to get data from SharePoint List we created:

8. We should be all set. Let's save changes to PDP, go to Project Center and create new project.
Start typing in Program Name field - Autocomplete Manager will provide all options that match:

Start typing in Portfolio Name field - Autocomplete Manager will provide all options that match:

That's it. In case of using Autocomplete Manager, your system is very dynamic, no server side jobs needed. Very easy to use.

Summary:
Both approaches have cons and pros. If you prefer to use Lookup Tables - then you can use Lookup Manager. If you are fine with content from data source directly and good to go with values in text fields only - Autocomplete Manager provides the most easiest way .


Note 1: We covered using Autocomplete Manager for SharePoint Lists and SQL Server. In Addition, it allows to use it as "People Picker" picking data from Project Server User Groups.

Note 2: Versions of Lookup Manager 2013 and Autocomplete Manager 2013  for Project Server 2013 are expected around mid-February.


Let us know if you have any questions - we would be happy to answer all of them.

Documenting Project Server 2010 Configurations

In our product, FluentBooks we support functionality to generate configuration documentation in Project Server 2010. We continue working on improving the output and recently released version with more advanced documenting functionality.

It is great feature for consultants to deliver a configuration documentation and it is generated in seconds instead of hours and days of work.

You can check video how it works and how documentation looks like here:



You can learn more about FluentBooks on our website: http://www.fluentpro.com/productsfluentbooks.html

Microsoft Project Conference 2012 results

Thank you Project Conference 2012 attendees who visited our booth and my session.

We had very successful Project Conference 2012:

• over 150 demos of products were performed
• over 150 potentials customer contacts collected
• great interest from government agencies and Fortune 50 companies
• we made an agreement with one of the leading EPM partners to include Audit Pro, Project Workspaces, Project Dashboard and Status Report as package installed by default for all their new and existing Project Server 2010 customers
• great interest in FluentBooks as configuration management software from consultants
• great interest in FluentBooks bulk edit functionality from business
• great interest for Audit Pro from business
• collected ideas from customers for new functionality for Audit Pro like monitoring and logging SharePoint events
• several visitors said about Project Workspaces that it is "ahead of time"

Project Team - special thank you for great conference, speakers, exhibitors and incredible assistance with all preparations.

FluentPro Workspaces - New life for project sites in Microsoft Project Server 2010

Project Sites.

• Tired of grey, static and not-visually appealing project sites?
•  Don't like that information is in many places and I have to switch to see it?

We are tired of them too. So - we've developed a product for our customers that in its nature is a modified project site template that will change your experience with Project Sites in MS Project Server 2010.

• Microsoft Metro-style design with home pages based on tiles that every user can customize
• Easy access via links to native Project Web App pages - My Tasks, Timesheets, Project Schedule PDP
• Visualized and improved risks, issues, change request and action items lists
• Easy customization and re-use - add your own lists, pages, sub-sites (Wiki, Blog and other) and standard / customer webparts without any restrictions, save as project site template and distribute inside of your organization for different project types - this is just a native Project Site Template.

Video preview:

Visit our booth #209 at Project Conference 2012 and take a closer look on this amazing product.

Product will be launched at Project Conference 2012 and will be available for purchase.

EPM partners: Have your own products and would like to incorporate this product into your solutions? Let's talk.

New products launch at Microsoft Project Conference 2012

FluentPro will launch several products and versions at Project Conference 2012:

FluentBooks v 2.0

Configuration management software for Project Server 2010

FluentPro Project Migrator

Project Data import export software for migrating projects and templates between PWA and to/from other EPM systems

FluentPro Workspaces

Metro-style Windows 8  Project Site template for Project Server 2010 with intuitive and embedded access to all PWA functionality from one location.




FluentPro Charts Lite and Charts Pro

Technology that allow any user build visual dashboards and charts on Project Sites based on data from PWA

Come visit our booth #209 to learn more about FluentPro's products and check demonstrations.

My session at MPC12: Project Server 2010 configuration management, migration, merge and documenting (PC325)

I will be presenting on Project Conference 2012 with a session about Configuration Management in Microsoft Project Server 2010.

I will cover several areas:

• Configuration management in Project Server 2010
• How FluentBooks helps with configuration management and deployment
• How you can migrate project data and configurations from other EPM systems into Project Server 2010 with help of FluentPro's products

By visiting my session, you will receive 40% discount for purchase of FluentBooks and Project Migrator package.

Link to my session: http://www.msprojectconference.com/pages/sessiondetailsShort.aspx?sessionguid=5957f9eb-b85a-4f9c-8035-cf8833b079e7