Project 2002 and Project Server.
Project 2002 is the version which follows Project 2000. Where Project started the evolution towards a web-enabled application with the inclusion of Project Central, Project 2002 takes this a few steps further and adds "Enterprise" features such as advanced resource functions, improved reporting and viewing capabilities, integration with document and issue management systems and an improved architecture and security model to make administration bearable.
However, this functionality does not come free. Where Project Central was basically free (except for the client licenses), Project Server and the version of Project necessary to interact with it will not be priced the same as the "stand-alone" desktop version. The stand-alone version will continue with it's target audience being single users working alone or in groups that do not need the enterprise features.
I think it is important to point out that "Enterprise" applications often have other costs besides the software. Because making an application work across a large group of people requires certain standardization or codification of procedures, there is a lot of up front work required to gather input and make decisions on how things will be done. Set-up and administration of the software may also require technical resources who can optimize the installation (looking at both HW and Software) to fit the organization. Security may be another area which may require technical expertise. Organizations looking at implementing Project Server should begin as soon as possible to understand the application so that they can put it in place quickly.
Most of the publicly available information on Project 2002 and Project Server is what has been published by Microsoft and a number of 3rd party books. You can search on amazon.com for those books, but I think that some of the most useful information is what can be found for free at Microsoft's MSDN and Technet Sites. Here is a list of the documents which are available and what they might tell you. (Last update 11/13/2002)
Please let me know if any of these links are not working, or write if you have any questions. JackD@mvps.org
Enterprise Project Management Documentation. This contains information about the following:
Microsoft Project 2002 Enterprise Project Management Architecture Guide
Description of the Project 2002 Object Model.
Some of the new objects/collections in Project 2002 are Application.Window, Application.EventInfo, Project.Filters, Project.Profiles, Project.Views, Project.Tables. You can see that these are necessary to enable some of the development/integration that Project 2002 is capable of.
Object Model Documentation at MSDN
What is new for Developers.
This document is a brief description of new features. Rather like reading the side of the box if you can't see them in action, but here they are regardless. The XML file format and Web Parts are areas I plan on investigating further.
What is new in Automation
This document is perhaps the most useful of the developer oriented documents as it describes the new objects, properties, methods etc. I put it last as it gives the detail behind the questions raised by the documents above.
What's New in Automation for Microsoft Project 2002
Project 2002 and Project Server Database Diagrams.
This will take you to the database schema documentation for Project 2002 and Project Server. You can download the diagrams as Visio documents
Help Files.
The help files which are installed as part of Project are also available for individual download. The Project VBA help file is very useful for those who are trying to interface with Project, but who do not have a copy of Project installed on their development machine.
The Project Resource Kit and Toolbox.
The Database diagrams and Help files are just part of the Project toolbox. Other tools and documents for deployment such as MultiLanguage User Interface files (MUI) and Custom installation documents can be found there. If you are responsible for installing or maintaining Project 2002 and/or Project Server, this is an essential resource.
Description of the Project 2002 Object Model.
Some of the new objects/collections in Project 2002 are Application.Window, Application.EventInfo, Project.Filters, Project.Profiles, Project.Views, Project.Tables. You can see that these are necessary to enable some of the development/integration that Project 2002 is capable of.
Object Model Documentation at MSDN
Description of the Project 2002 Object Model.
Some of the new objects/collections in Project 2002 are Application.Window, Application.EventInfo, Project.Filters, Project.Profiles, Project.Views, Project.Tables. You can see that these are necessary to enable some of the development/integration that Project 2002 is capable of.