EPM Solution Extensibility and Programmability
Challenge
There are many project management challenges and business challenges related to project management that cannot be solved by out-of-the box functionality. For ISV’s and developers, this represents a partner opportunity to create functionality for these needs. For organizations with particular management requirements, finding a project management solution which can be adapted to answer to those needs can be critical.
Solution
The Microsoft EPM Solution is designed as an extensible platform and includes numerous methods of extending the functionality of the system whether that is to simply integrate the project management functionality of Microsoft Project into other corporate systems or to extend, enhance or even displace certain functions. The Microsoft EPM Solution now includes several technological layers and each contains its own capabilities of customization, integration or enhancement.
A core project management platform
Whether you’re the head of your Project Management Office (PMO), an entrepreneur of an Independent Software Vendor (ISV), a consultant deploying a Project Management environment or a project manager with a particular interest in solving a project management problem, the extensibility of Microsoft’s EPM Solution is a key resource for you.
Almost since its inception many years ago, Microsoft Project has included the ability to be extended. Now, the complete Microsoft EPM Solution includes several technology layers and each of them offers tremendous opportunities for expansion of the core functionality. Within Microsoft Project Standard and Professional, there exists an accessible OLE model and Visual Basic for Applications. Within Project Server there is a complete API which is SOAP compliant. Within SharePoint which is used in the Project Web Access interface, there are .Net and SOAP compliant web services which may be accessed. The data itself for Project Server lives in Microsoft’s SQL Server and this opens the doors to data-accessible applications as well as the opportunities within SQL Reporting Services and OLAP services.
Independent Software Vendors use these opportunities to create 3rd party applications and modules to offer industry specific solutions. Organizations deploying a project management environment can take advantage of these opportunities by customizing, enhancing or even displacing whole areas of functionality in order to implement a project management solution that is company-specific. Project Managers can even use simple programming to deliver significantly different reporting, analysis or interface options.
Those experienced with the Microsoft EPM Solution, tend to think of it as a core platform for creating a project management environment rather than a set series of functions.
The resources listed in this scenario will point to some of the strategies that may be considered to enhance the Microsoft EPM Solution as well as key resources for how to get started on your own development plans.