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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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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