With the advent of Office 365 Project Online, organizations from almost any industry and any size can take advantage of the powerful tools that make up the Microsoft Project & Portfolio Management (PPM) suite of tools and services.

Having deployed these solutions for hundreds of organizations for the past ten plus years there are many reasons to look at Project Online, I’m listing 15 of them here:

1. 24/7 Availability- Built on the Office 365 Framework, Project Online is always available to the project team to either check the status of a project, update an assignment, address an issue or check on a status report. Microsoft’s state of the art Data-centers guarantees up time and availability. Project Managers can also work on projects “off-line” so access to important project information is always at their fingertips.Up to Date Product Version

2. Up to Date Product Version- Built on the cloud means the latest versions and patches are tested and applied, so you always have the latest and most up to date features and functionality. This also frees up your administrators to work on other tasks like integration and tailoring of the solution.

3. 24/7 Support- Microsoft has built a reputation on supporting its customers and Office 365 Project Online is no exception and with guaranteed uptime, you can’t go wrong. When you match this our enterprise support agreements (ESA)’s all of your questions and issues are addressed.

4. Low Cost- The cost to implement is dramatically reduced with Office 365 Project Online due to the shift to a user-based subscription model that allows you to add-users when needed. The days of investing into expensive hardware and software are gone which allows a very low cost of entry in these tools and services.

5. Features match Maturity- Each organization can approach Project Online a unique way and enable features and functionality in alignment with their current maturity level. Basically, the tool is designed to grow with you as your Project Management Office grows and matures. Features are enabled as you and your team mature.

6. Project Scheduling engine- Built on the industry standard Project Professional desktop application, Project Online leverages the power of the Microsoft Project scheduling engine as the central tool for managing projects. Project Online was technically built around Microsoft Project.

7. Real time Data-Analysis- Data is everywhere and always available for analysis. Data is being updated in real-time as new information is being updated so you always know you have the latest information to analyze and review. There are hundreds of fields at the project, resource and task level and opportunities for you to create your own to work with.

8. Deep Dashboards and Reporting- When combined with applications and services such as Microsoft Excel and Power BI Pro you get multiple pre-built and easy to tailor Dashboard and Visual reports. These reports and dashboards are easily accessible and can be communicated in many formats, with the required frequency and information.

9. Office 365 Suite Integration- So many different tools to extend and integrate with Project Online including SharePoint Online, Office, Planner, Teams, OneDrive, Skype, Visio and many others. All of these tools can add value and efficiencies to your goals and objectives.

10. Built on SharePoint- Built on SharePoint, means Project Online takes advantage of all the capabilities that come with it. Whether its site management, workflows, meta-data content management or enterprise reporting, SharePoint helps to bring it all together.

11. Open Integration- The need to integrate with 3rd party systems and applications is a common requirement and Project Online is built around the capability to share and communicate with these environments.

12. Compliant- Compliance could be a deal breaker and Project Online complies with multiple industry-specific standards, including ISO 27001, HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA), EU Model Clauses and FISMA.

13. User Management and AD synch- Users and resources are easily added, secured and managed with sophisticated permission models and enhanced Active Directory synchronization. Project Online’s permission model allows for very granular permission management to the right users see the right information and you know your sensitive information is secure.

14. Complete PPM Solution Built on a Microsoft’s Enterprise Framework- Project Online is built on Project Server which has a long history of providing organizations with full Project Portfolio and Project Management capabilities. With complete project and resource request management, project and portfolio what-if scenarios and project selection workflows. Project Server has a rich history and community base that has been adding new features and capabilities for almost 20 years. In other words, this is not a new tool.

15. External Sharing with SharePoint Sites and OneDrive- Getting project information to external users and organizations is a critical component to the Office 365 Project Online solution. SharePoint Online and OneDrive make it easy to get the right information to users outside your internal Office 365 userbase. This allows you to exchange information with vendors, contractors and partners while keeping everything in synch and out of your “in boxes”.

Take a look, make some comparisons and make sure it fits in with your short and long term PM goals and objectives.

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ClearPath is a cloud-based solution designed to simplify and enhance the enrollment clearance process for educational institutions. By providing faculty and staff with a robust set of tools for communication, approval, and reporting. ClearPath ensures a smooth and efficient experience for everyone involved. ClearPath is a communication, approval, and reporting tool that allows departmental advisors visibility into registered students moving through the enrollment process. ClearPath empowers departmental advisors to effectively manage the enrollment process by providing a platform where they can communicate essential feedback and address key issues with students. Before granting approval for students to advance to the next stage in the enrollment process, advisors can ensure that any outstanding concerns are clearly communicated and resolved.

Key Features

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Cloud-based project management software streamlines the coordination of project planning, collaboration, monitoring, and delivery. By replacing traditional tools such as Excel and Outlook, it empowers project managers and teams to leverage a comprehensive suite of tools within the software for seamless task completion. Its versatility allows businesses of all sizes and teams from various industries to optimize their project management processes efficiently

Simple Access:
Cloud-based Project Management software provides unparalleled flexibility by allowing users to access their project information from anywhere, anytime, using any device with an internet connection. This eliminates the constraints of physical location and enhances productivity

Cost Efficient:
Cloud-based software offers significant cost-effective benefits for businesses of all sizes. Firstly, it eliminates the need for upfront hardware and infrastructure investments since the software is hosted and maintained by the service provider. This reduces capital expenses and allows businesses to allocate their resources more efficiently. Additionally, cloud-based software typically operates on a subscription-based or pay-as-you-go pricing model, where businesses only pay for the resources they use.

Enhanced Collaboration and Output:
It enhances collaboration and teamwork by enabling real-time sharing and editing of documents, fostering seamless communication, and improving overall efficiency.

No additional hardware or installations:
Cloud-based software eliminates the need for complex installations and updates, as all maintenance and upgrades are handled by the service provider. This saves time and resources, enabling businesses to focus on their core operations. Additionally, cloud-based software offers scalability, allowing businesses to easily scale their operations up or down based on their needs, without the need for significant hardware investments.

Ease of Use:
Cloud-based software offers a user-friendly and intuitive experience, making it incredibly easy to use for individuals and businesses alike. With cloud-based solutions, there is no need for complex installations or extensive technical knowledge.

Security and Maintenance:
Cloud-based software provides robust data security measures, ensuring that sensitive information is protected and backed up, mitigating the risks of data loss and unauthorized access.

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Professionals and New Technology To have a significant impact on construction management, it is crucial for industry professionals to adopt and incorporate technological innovations into their workflows. For example, quantity surveyors, who are responsible for managing construction costs and contracts, can employ software tools to streamline their tasks and enhance accuracy. By embracing technological advancements, construction professionals can propel the industry forward and enjoy the advantages of heightened efficiency and better collaboration.

Project Management Software Project management software has become a critical asset for construction professionals, simplifying project planning, execution, and monitoring. This technology fosters productive collaboration among team members, enabling them to share real-time updates, documents, and schedules. With a centralized platform, project managers can optimally allocate resources, monitor progress, and guarantee timely delivery. Moreover, project management software can produce comprehensive reports, providing valuable insights to support data-driven decision-making. Construction PPM is set of software, apps and services that specifically designed for the construction space.

Collaboration and Communication Tools Achieving effective communication is essential for successful construction projects, and modern technology offers a range of tools to foster collaboration among team members. Cloud-based platforms like Microsoft PPM allow for real-time document sharing, editing, and storage. Video conferencing tools such as Teams facilitate remote meetings, reducing the necessity for in-person interactions and the travel expenses associated with them. Apps such as Teams, Planner and To Do are great tools for users from all devices, organizations and locations.

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1.Suggested Files in 1:1 Chat: Building upon the feature of suggested replies in one-on-one chats, a “Share file” suggestion has been added to save time when sending files in a chat. Whenever the intent to send a file is detected, the “Share file” action will automatically appear in the chat. If you’re crafting a one-on-one message in Teams chat outside of regular working hours, you’ll receive suggestions to schedule the message for later delivery when the chat recipient begins their workday.

2. Offline meetings in Microsoft Teams: In Teams calendar, you now have the ability to create a genuine appointment by disabling the online status. This feature is particularly useful for scheduling personal appointments, lunch breaks, and in-person meetings

3. Reminder Emails for Webinars: To generate excitement and encourage attendance as the start of a Teams webinar approaches, you can take advantage of automated reminder emails that are sent to every confirmed registrant. These emails, which include a custom-branded header, webinar information, and a link to join the event, can be configured to be sent at a specific date and time set prior to the webinar. In addition to the reminder email that is automatically sent one hour before the event, these timely and personalized emails are an effective way to ensure that the webinar remains top of mind for attendees.

4. New Files app in Teams: With the new Files app experience in Teams, you can easily and securely store, organize, and collaborate on all your files from any location, device, or Teams feature. This modern Files app brings together all your content from chats, channels, meetings, OneDrive, and SharePoint, allowing you to access everything in one convenient location. Additionally, the updated menu bar provides a seamless navigation experience, allowing you to quickly find and access your desired files.

5. Speaker View in Teams Meetings (May 2023): A new feature is being introduced in Microsoft Teams called Speaker View, which can be accessed by selecting the View icon on the meeting toolbar. With Speaker View, users can easily keep track of the current active speaker, making it particularly useful in scenarios where there are a limited number of key speakers and a large audience, such as during trainings or lectures. This feature simplifies the process of following along with the speaker and ensures that important information is not missed.

6. Meeting Recap Enhancements (May 2023): Easily access your meeting content, including recordings, transcripts, and notes, all in one convenient location with the new Recap tab in Microsoft Teams. By selecting the Recap tab, users can watch the recording directly within the tab, review notes, and read the transcript without the need to switch screens or apps. Users can access the Recap tab from the Calendar after the meeting has ended or directly from the meeting chat. When both the recording and transcript are available, the Recap tab will display them side-by-side for easy reference.

7. “Bookings with me” Going Public (May 2023)“Bookings with me” Microsoft Teams’ scheduling feature empowers you to streamline the scheduling process and take control of your calendar. By creating custom bookable slots, you can effortlessly share your availability and preferences with others, making it simple for them to schedule a one-on-one meeting with you. Both you and the attendee will receive an email confirmation when a slot is booked using your personal booking page. Additionally, attendees can conveniently update or cancel scheduled meetings with you directly from your personal bookings page. This feature eliminates the back-and-forth typically associated with scheduling and allows you to prioritize your time effectively.

8. Collaborative Meeting Notes (June 2023): During meetings in Microsoft Teams, users can access the Notes button to leverage new capabilities to effectively track discussion topics (Agenda), decisions made (Notes), and action items for follow-up (Follow-up Tasks). Meeting notes will be conveniently displayed in the right pane of the meeting window and can be opened in the browser for more space or on a second monitor. Participants can collaborate in real-time, create an agenda, take notes, and add tasks. When participants are assigned a task during the meeting, they will receive an email notification, and the task will be synchronized with the Planner and To Do apps for efficient task management. This feature allows for a streamlined and organized approach to meeting management, making it easier to keep track of important information and tasks.

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