The autonomous project management system is centred around Planner Server. Other elements include various Planner desktop applications connected to the server. Desktop applications are the main tools for project managers for creating plans and connecting to Planner Server, which is installed on a server in the organisation and is a central application of the system. It is also possible to connect to Planner Server via web browser (WWW interface) which makes it easier for resources and stakeholders browse plan data, resource assignments, reports or custom data sets accordingly to security level.
Autonomous project management system includes
- Licence for P2ware Planner Server
- One or a couple of licences for P2ware Planner for PSO
- Licences for P2ware Planner Enterprise. There should be as many licences for Planner Enterprise as there are project managers and people taking direct part in planning and execution of projects
- Client access licences (CALs) for P2ware Planner Server. There should be as many CALs as there are users accessing Planner Server via web browser only. Connection of Planner Server via WWW interface usually includes resources, team leaders, people responsible for work packages, stakeholders and management.
The set of licences is usually very similar to the set used in the Integrated Management System. Due to the fact, it is not difficult to transform Autonomous Project Management System into Integrated Management System by adding additional software, integration with other IT systems and custom reports and workflows. It means that the software may mature with the organisation and its project management requirements without a need for redefining and creating the system again from scratch.
In this environment Planner for PSO applications are intended for people supporting projects in the organization, e.g. Project Support Office. Planner for PSO has all planning and execution features available in other Planner Suite applications. The most important task of the software is a creation of plan templates and reports according to organisation requirements. Plan templates are created by adding own custom properties and formulas (automatically computed) describing plan objects (e.g. product or activity), modification of object editors, a definition of perspectives and hiding unused plan objects, views, perspectives, properties and object relations. Thanks to that, it is possible to create plan templates and report templates for various types of projects executed in the organisation and for various methods of management.
Planner Enterprise is the main tool for project managers and all people taking active part in creation of plans. The software has all views required for effective planning and project execution and connects to Planner Server which allows for plan publication and synchronisation. Customisation is limited to personal settings and perspectives - it is limited on purpose as the project management documentation standard is enforced by Project Support Office or corresponding role.
Planner Server is an application installed on a server computer accessible from intranet network of the organisation. Planner Server is designed to perform tasks not possible in systems with only desktop applications. It allows a central project, programme and portfolio management, central resource pool management, reporting on various levels, generation of documentation based on many projects, teamwork, progress reporting, sending of work packages or advanced security settings. The server application has two interfaces: first is available for everyone via web browser and second for users of Planner for PSO and Enterprise that can connect directly from desktop application to publish and synchronise plans. To install Planner Server customers have to have licence for installation of Planner Server and client access licences for each user connecting to the server application. For more on licensing of Planner Server and other applications please visit Licensing
You can find more information about Planner Server with Planner Enterprise and For PSO on pages P2ware Planner Server and P2ware Planner Enterprise.