TPG ProjectLink Makes it Easy to Link Projects Across Companies Using Microsoft Project
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| TPG ProjectLink Use Cases |
TPG The Project Group GmbH, the world’s leading provider of products for Microsoft Project, announced today that it has further expanded its product range with TPG ProjectLink. The new solution enables companies to link tasks and other data between different project plans in multi-project management. The data sources include not only Microsoft Project plans, but also content from Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) lists and SQL servers. These links mean that staff can collaborate in heterogeneous multi-project management environments. They can even establish links on the task level between projects shared by several companies. TPG ProjectLink also reduces the constant need for manual updates while significantly increasing project management transparency and efficiency. In addition, project risks are minimized because information about all projects is delivered so quickly. TPG ProjectLink works with Project Server 2003 and 2007 and is available now from TPG.
Multi-project management is gaining a foothold in a growing number of companies and involves more and more people. The consequence is not only a significant growth in the quantity of project-related data, but also in the variety and complexity of links between projects. These links also need to be kept up to date at all times.
Due to TPG’s close collaboration with users of an earlier product, TPG MilestoneLink, it has learned which Microsoft Project enhancements people need for successful multi-project management in the real world. “With TPG ProjectLink we’ve developed an efficient tool that ensures transparent links between project plans while making it even easier to update data in multi-project management environments,” says Johann Strasser, managing director and head of development at TPG. Any type of information can be shared across projects, including dates, costs, and work.
“The big advantage of TPG ProjectLink is that its data sharing capabilities aren’t limited to Microsoft Project Server Sites,” adds Johann Strasser. “Windows SharePoint Services lists, mpp files, and SQL databases can also be used as data sources.” The product offers users a flexible way to configure field mapping. Users can choose to have external delays in their project shown as a simple notification, or configure them to permit delays in their own plan as well.
The links are used to manage dependencies across projects. For example, a customer can offer project plan information to its external suppliers, they link them to their plan and then automatically update them as needed. Project participants can easily be included due to the variety of data source options available. The project manager can update the links on demand and see a preview of the changes. Alternatively, the update can be scheduled to automatically run at a particular time using the administrative functions.
Alongside links on the level of individual tasks and milestones, users can run queries on the various data sources, which may contain information such as lists of certain milestones in a target plan. This makes it easy for users to combine reports of milestones for payment deadlines, deliveries, interfaces etc. in a new project plan and keep it updated.
Using TPG ProjectLink, companies can easily view the whole spectrum of dependencies in multi-project management and keep them current, without running time-consuming manual updates. To further increase the product’s benefits, companies can document the progress of updates to important milestones with another TPG product, TPG Milestone Trend Analysis (TPG MTA Client). The two products form a complete, integrated solution for scheduling within a multi-project management environment. As TPG ProjectLink is so easy to use, it is also suitable for companies who are relatively new to project management, ensuring that staff accept the solution and make use of it.
TPG ProjectLink’s main advantages include at-a-glance:
- Choice of data sources. Users can choose not only Microsoft Project Server sites as their data source, but also Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) lists, mpp files, and SQL databases.
- Field mapping. This can be configured to suit a wide range of use cases.
- Innovative interface. Users can easily link tasks in external projects with tasks in their own project with the Task Picker. Access rights to other projects are managed by the Microsoft Project Server permissions system.
- Links across sites. Users can easily establish project links between different companies.
- Ease of use.
Website: www.theprojectgroup.com/E/projectlink
TPG The Project Group
Neherstr. 9
81675 Munich, Germany
www.theprojectgroup.com/index_e.html
Press contact: Mr. Achim Schmidt-Sibeth
Email: AchimS@theprojectgroup.de
Phone: +49 (89) 61 55 93 51
Fax: +49 (89) 61 55 93 40
TPG The Project Group GmbH, based in Munich, Germany, with an office in Philadelphia, PA, USA (www.tpgamerica.com), is a team of internationally recognized experts in IT solutions for enterprise-wide project management. TPG is the world’s leading developer of products for Microsoft Project and offers implementation services for Microsoft Enterprise Project Management (EPM) solutions to large and mid-sized enterprises. TPG places particular emphasis on the integration of EPM in the financial controlling area as well as on IT support for Project Management Offices. TPG’s range of services is complemented by seminars for Microsoft Project users and developers as well as preparation for PMI’s Project Management Professional certification exam.
TPG The Project Group is a Microsoft Gold Partner and one of the top Microsoft Premier Project Partners in Europe. The company’s experts have experience with Microsoft Project since Version 1 Beta appeared in 1989. TPG is a member of the Partner Advisory Council, an international advisory committee for the US-based Microsoft Project development team, which counts only twenty members worldwide.
The Project Group’s customer base includes global enterprises like Agere, Agip, ATLAS, Audi, Bentley Systems, Bosch, BAE British Aerospace, Cognis, DaimlerChrysler, Infineon, Israel Aircraft Industries, Irish Rail, Keiper-Recaro, Lonza, Lurgi, MAN, Microsoft, Miele, MTU Aero Engines, Nordex Wind Energy, SAP, Schukra, Siemens, Swisscom, Texas Instruments and others.