Software Advice 2

[jmcgrath]

Hi All,

I have recently changed companies and I no longer have access to MS Project to plan my projects.

It is a small company with short term projects and they don’t have, or want to purchase, MS Project. Does anyone have any details of other (cheaper) software packages that I could use.

All I really need is a package that will allow me to track and manage simple timelines. Resource and financial are not critical.

Any advice for a shell shocked new employee?

Thanks,

John

 

[ploegaerts]

Hi John,

You might need to settle with Excel as MS Projects is really not that expensive especially if the cost can be spread over several projects.
Not much help I know

Guy

 

[jmcgrath]

Guy,

It's Excel that I'm using just now, but whenever you change a time it does not update the rest of the items. My boss certainly seems to think that $600 is expensive for MS Project so I'll have to keep looking around.

Thanks,

John

 

[austim]

This link came from a Google search "freeware project management software". I can't vouch for its useability.

http://www.waa-inc.com/projex/download.htm

WAA describe projeX as an Excel97 add-in, which provides many of the facilities of MS Project.

If your boss is feeling ultra generous, you may get him to fork out for a fully paid-up version (US$20-00 or UK£15) or if he is having a bad day, why not try the freeware version. At the very least, you could try the freeware version to see how it goes, and then put the hard word on him later when the time is right ;-)

 

[jmcgrath]

I have actually managed to put together an excel spread sheet that does update dates and creates a Gannt chart very similar to MS Project as well as colour coding everything.

Oh the power of 'IF', 'AND' functions combined with conditional formatting!

I will still check out the freeware version though.

Thanks for everyones help.

John

 

[jmcgrath]

Austin,

I downloaded the ProjeX freeware and was impressed enough to get the full blown module for $20. The freeware version is so limited that it is usless.

It’s excellent! It offers basic time line tracking in the form of Gantt charts that can be at what ever time scale you like (within the limits of an Excel spreadsheet of course) as well as basic resource management and should soon have cost analysis added to it.

I have already had a small problem with the documentation and my query was answered in a few hours.

While not as flexible as the $600 MS Project it covers about 90% of my requirements.

Regards,

John

 

[KEO19342]

I was a user of MS Project when I worked for a large company. Now at a small company, where I really don't have the need for all of Project's power, I use a more basic schedule program. It is called FastTrack Schedule by AEC software. I use an old version so I'm sure the newer ones have added more features. It has a nice graphical interface that allows you to create quick schedules with easy drag and drops. You can also add as much detail or links as you need. I think this might do what you want.

Good Luck,

Kurt

 

[misha]

On similar lines, but which can be easily converted to your requirements, i came across a company who provide MRP solutions using MS Excel. They offer 2 very interesting spreadsheets to give an idea how they work.

The spreadsheets themselves are tutorials.

Their website can be located at

http://www.Production-Scheduling.com

However, let me know should you have problems locating these excel Sheets.

Good Luck,

David.