[PartnerSLC]

We use the Advanced Project Tracking module and would like to see some reports on the Tasks that are associated with a project, like who has been assigned to the task, how much time they have logged against the task and the status of the task. Seems pretty straightforward but we are having a dickens of a time trying to create a report with this data. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
This is a cached copy. Click here to see the original post.

[skennedy]

Thomas,

Project tasks are based on CRM tasks and the reporting capabilities have not been updated yet to display all the new project task information.

In the meantime, Task saved searches have been updated with the new fields and should meet your needs. Let me know if you find specific limitations.

THanks,

Sean

[JMUnderwood]

RE: Managing Project Tasks

Originally posted by skennedy

Thomas,

Project tasks are based on CRM tasks and the reporting capabilities have not been updated yet to display all the new project task information.

Sean

Sean, we really need a complete set of “Project Mgt” reports. BTW, I don’t even see any Task reports of any kind???

Has anyone at NetSuite defined yet what these will be, and if so, when they will be made available?

If you don’t have any defined yet, I’d be glad to work with you to help define these.

The searches are very useful, but the big advantage of the reports is that they have the hierarchal expand/collapse view. If only NetSuite would add footed filters to Reports like you have on Searches — this would be very powerful!

[gladstone]

thomas, in the meantime, you could create a suitelet with server code to generate an html page showing tasks laid out as you choose – this works well for us

-ben

[skennedy]

Jim,

Project Management reports are expected in the next major release in 2008. We have a few specific reports in mind but the current focus is on building out the infrastructure to have the data to report on. Thomas’s request will be easily handled – we are working on reports that will look at effort required for a task, task assignees, task relationships, and work calendars to forecast demand for a type of resource. The same core information will be used to allow resource leveling. In addition we will offer new accounting reports for new project accounting functionality. As we have things to review, I can run them by you.

As for current reports that expose tasks, any of the Sales Activity reports under Pipeline Reporting allow you to report on tasks. Unfortunately, the new project fields are not exposed yet. If we can squeeze it in we will.

Thanks,

Sean

[JMUnderwood]

RE: Managing Project Tasks

Originally posted by skennedy

Project Management reports are expected in the next major release in 2008. We have a few specific reports in mind but the current focus is on building out the infrastructure to have the data to report on.

…

As for current reports that expose tasks, any of the Sales Activity reports under Pipeline Reporting allow you to report on tasks. Unfortunately, the new project fields are not exposed yet. If we can squeeze it in we will.

Thanks,

Sean

Sean,

I understand your approach, and in general this makes sense. On the other hand, what do you think about going for the “low-hanging fruit” first?

IOW, take the existing reports in Pipeline and Time & Billing, tweak them to be Project Management focused, and put them in a group named “Project/Task Management”. Just make sure you expose all of the Project and Task fields, including custom fields.

I would think this could be done fairly easily and quickly since it is just making minor changes to existing reports. If you could get this out ASAP to us, that would be a major benefit for a small investment.

What do you think?

[markgstewart]

RE: Managing Project Tasks

How about some Earned Value Analysis reporting and graphs along with gantt charts and automated calculation of critical path.

I don’t need MS Project by 2008, but I would like to see some strides in creating a Project & Portfolio management tool in your Advanced Project Tracking Module.

[skennedy]

RE: Managing Project Tasks

Originally posted by JMUnderwood

Sean,

I understand your approach, and in general this makes sense. On the other hand, what do you think about going for the “low-hanging fruit” first?

IOW, take the existing reports in Pipeline and Time & Billing, tweak them to be Project Management focused, and put them in a group named “Project/Task Management”. Just make sure you expose all of the Project and Task fields, including custom fields.

I would think this could be done fairly easily and quickly since it is just making minor changes to existing reports. If you could get this out ASAP to us, that would be a major benefit for a small investment.

What do you think?

Jim, thanks for sharing your thoughts. As you can imagine, it is a constant balancing game for us to put efforts to making smaller, incremental changes or larger, more comprehensive solutions. I am currently in the midst of work for the 2008 release but if I get time to review the other reports, I’ll see what I can do.

Sean

[skennedy]

RE: Managing Project Tasks

Originally posted by markgstewart

How about some Earned Value Analysis reporting and graphs along with gantt charts and automated calculation of critical path.

I don’t need MS Project by 2008, but I would like to see some strides in creating a Project & Portfolio management tool in your Advanced Project Tracking Module.

Mark, I’m interested in hearing more about your requirements. I’ve sent you an email.

Sean

[markgstewart]

RE: Managing Project Tasks

Originally posted by skennedy

Mark, I’m interested in hearing more about your requirements. I’ve sent you an email.

Sean

Sean, I never received your email. Did not receive a private message either.

Would love to discuss this with you.

[markgstewart]

RE: Managing Project Tasks

Sean,

FYI, I think the best SAAS tool for project management on the market right now is eProjects PPM6 tool. http://www.eproject.com

Unfortunately, unless you purchase the stripped down version and attach it to salesforce, it is a relatively stand alone tool.

If you modeled your final PPM tool goal after this product, I think you would have an outstanding product.

As for getting there using babysteps, well there are a few things I think you could pull off in the next rev based on where you are now.

If you would like to take a GIANT leap forward, get Larry to shell out the bucks and acquire this company!

[skennedy]

Hi Mark,

Looks like my initial email was thwarted by a bad email address. Just sent you another note, am still very much interested in speaking.

Were you by chance at the Partner conference this week?

I’m aware of eProjects, are you currently using it?

Sean

[dave.scott]

RE: Managing Project Tasks

Originally posted by markgstewart

Sean,

FYI, I think the best SAAS tool for project management on the market right now is eProjects PPM6 tool. http://www.eproject.com

Unfortunately, unless you purchase the stripped down version and attach it to salesforce, it is a relatively stand alone tool.

If you modeled your final PPM tool goal after this product, I think you would have an outstanding product.

As for getting there using babysteps, well there are a few things I think you could pull off in the next rev based on where you are now.

If you would like to take a GIANT leap forward, get Larry to shell out the bucks and acquire this company!

I’ve recently also been looking around inside the ‘@Task’ SAAS solution (http://www.attask.com)…

Has a great easy interface, and the integration API (enterprise ed.) looks like it could talk to Netsuite… Be nice if this level of functionality was one day availible through the Adv. Netsuite Modules…

Regards,

Dave

[markgstewart]

RE: Managing Project Tasks

I played with the full versions of @task along with eProject.

When going through the differences with the sales teams the @ task sales team kept on pushing the open framework aspect of their system vs. eProject.

I set up some test projects in both tools and in my analysis found that eProject was a more intuitive interface and I could list resources, put together project plans, track resource utilization against projects, identify both time and budget variances easily. From a cost perspective, if I remember correctly, @task did have a lower price tag without the initial services fees required by eProject.

I would say though that the eProject tool was significantly easier to set up and use out of the box. They really thought out the product and the documentation is kept up to date. I think that just comes as part of the territory when you have a bunch of PM’s sitting around developing products, so they do practice what they preach.

I did not make the purchase instead running with NetSuite on the hopes that the Advanced project accounting module would be a robust PM tool that linked to both ERP and HR resources. I have do not have an extensive need for all of the functionality in a PM tool at this point due to the simplicity of my deliverables, but as I grow and take on more complex initiatives I will need that functionality present such as Project Portfolio management tools. A PPM that helps me quickly identify troubled projects and provide the necessary resources to move it from red to green will help me immensely in the future.

NetSuite is very immature from a services management perspective, but there is potential. A lot of the functionality of the current system can be used, but some simple workarounds are required to get what you want.

[Author]

Posts