Microsoft Project Server
consists of a Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server
template and requires software to be installed
on the desktop for those needing to create and
manage projects. For example, when
creating a new project using Microsoft Project
Server, the Microsoft Project tool itself is
launched. Also, only Internet Explorer can
be used to interact with the Microsoft Project
Web Access sites.
Brickhouse Inform does not
require any desktop software to be installed and
supports all popular browsers.
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Microsoft Project is a useful
tool for Project Managers to manage the
details relating to a project. Brickhouse
Inform also supports projects, multi-project initiatives,
tasks, and assignments, but is simply not intended
to provide the capabilities of Microsoft Project.
Instead, Brickhouse Inform is focused on managing
information that is external to, or derived from,
a Microsoft Project file, such as:
- Project scope information (statement of
work)
- Project start/stop dates
- Process methodology
- Approvals and workflow
- Project documents
- Discussion and communications
- Team members and their deliverables
We refer to the type of project
management provided by Brickhouse Inform as 'macro-level
project management', also known as milestone-oriented
or date-driven project management.
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Microsoft Project Server
requires software to be installed
on the desktop for those needing to create and
manage projects. Specifically, when
creating a new project using Microsoft Project
Server, the Microsoft Project tool itself is
launched. Regardless, Microsoft Project
Server is a powerful and capable tool, but one
we feel is directed at a different audience than
the majority of business users responsible for
managing "projects and activities".
A Brickhouse Inform
'project' takes form as an online collaborative
workspace where team members are able to quickly
gain insight into what the project is about,
what its metrics are, who is working on it, and
to access related materials and documentation
(which often includes a Microsoft Project file).
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There's no substitute for
using Microsoft Outlook for managing appointments
— we use Outlook at Brickhouse. However,
we do not feel that Outlook/Exchange is a viable
development platform for two reasons:
-
Outlook-based solutions require the installation
of software on the desktop (known by some as "a support nightmare",
and
-
enterprise email server environments are
tightly controlled; it is typical that permission
to configure or install any software at
all is simply not allowed.
Brickhouse EPS integrates
with Outlook/Exchange to allow you to place meetings
and events within the Brickhouse EPS database into
your Outlook calendar.
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