Microsoft Project Conference 2010

As I am gathering my thoughts from the Microsoft Project Conference 2010, I have to admit, it is two weeks later and I am still blown away by the conference and more importantly the release of 2010. First you have to know that as a solution provider and someone who presents software to people as a living, I don't often get very excited about demos, presentations or other "hype" around new releases (unless of course I am the one presenting). I guess what excites me the most about Project 2010, isn't the improvements to SharePoint 2010, which make the product so much easier to use as well as providing so much more workflow. It isn't the Project Server improvements, which make using Project Server very difficult to distinguish between what can't be done in Project Server versus Project Professional (this is amazing). It isn't even Portfolio Server being included with Project 2010 (although this will absolutely assist larger organizations in doing Project Portfolio Management and Planning). I guess what excites me the most is that I believe Microsoft Project 2010, will bring Project Management to the smaller organization in a way no other release of Project or any other Microsoft application has done. I look at how they have made functionality for smaller project organizations, that don't have a history of Project Management Methodologies, or PMs that have extensive history with Project Management, to begin to take advantage of Project Management solutions that are easy to use. All companies need project management. Microsoft Project 2010, now provides project management for the small, mid and large organization.

The Project Conference in Phoenix had the usual benefits of connecting with users and partners and sharing of ideas, but the buzz around the new release was something I haven't seen before from this conference. The great thing is that Project 2010 builds on the foundation of what was built in Microsoft Project 2007, so our clients and our own company, need to continue to improve with 2007 and let Project 2010 enhance that internal improvement. I had the luxury of meeting with many from the Microsoft Project team and the fact that they have been using Project 2010 internally for so long has helped to fuel a passion that I have to admit is contagious. It makes me want to get to 2010 as soon as we can, and it allows our organization as well as our clients to continue to finish the initiatives started on Project 2007, so we can fully take advantage of the enhancements of Project 2010.

As a solution provider of Microsoft Dynamics SL, Microsoft Project and Microsoft SharePoint I have never been more excited about how these solutions are going to change the way our companies manage their businesses. It is not often that hype around a product, lives up to the actual product. I have to admit that they hype for Project 2010, really delivers solutions that I know will help New Vision and our clients be more successful in managing projects. Mid to large companies will benefit from the improvement workflow, portfolio management, resource planning and scheduling improvements. However, I have to admit the most excitement for me centers around the ease of use that will allow small organizations, who are so desperate to find a way to better manage projects, to finally have tools they can utilize to manage their business.

I have included some great links to more information about the conference and Project 2010.

http://www.microsoft.com/project/2010/en/us/default.aspx

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/projectserver/default.aspx

 

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