Search Project Server data using MOSS' BDC and Enterprise Search - CodePlex Solution Starter

Bonjour,

Do you ever wonder how many projects are in a specific phase? Would you like to know the attributes of a specific resource? Are you looking when a specific milestone ends? Do you have users in your organization that are not part of the Project Server resource pool but still need to access the data? Being able to easily search valuable information is becoming a key feature in any organization. 

This solution starter demonstrates how to leverage SharePoint Server’s Business Data Catalog (BDC) to index project server data and enable users to search the different objects (projects, tasks, resources, lookup tables…) using SharePoint Server’s Enterprise Search, and give you answers to all the questions above.  Out of the box the Project Server data is not indexed (only the SharePoint objects are indexed for instance Issues, Risks, Documents…) and thus users cannot search the content contained in the Reporting database. This solution starter will thus enable you to mine the PS 2007 gold mine and find the nuggets you were looking for very easily!

https://www.codeplex.com/EPMBDC

This solution starter was created for a presentation I delivered last week at the SharePoint Conference to illustrate one of the benefits of deploying PS 2007 with SharePoint Server ( and not just WSS V3).

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Q&A

Q: Is the tool supported?

A: There is no support in terms of CSS/PSS. We expect the support being a CodePlex community effort. Please note that the customization code uses standard supported web service calls available out of the box in EPM2007.

Q: Is the tool free?

A: Yes.

Q: Can I distribute the tool and the source code to customers and partners?

A: Customers and Partners can use both. Please point them to CodePlex as they have to agree on the license terms

Q: Can a partner distribute the tool and code as is?

A: No, but he can point his customer to the website to download it, so he makes sure that the customer agrees with the license terms.

Q: Can a customer install the customization and use it?

A: Yes the customer can, but he/she is responsible for testing it and running it.

Q: Can I suggest changes to it?

A: Yes, join the CodePlex community or send us an email: epmssdev@microsoft.com

Q: Will this tool be distributed in other ways (i.e. DVDs)?

A: No.

Q: What skills do I need to modify or change the tool?

A: C#, Project Server Interface, and a good understanding of the EPM 2007 data schema.

Q: I’m trying to modify the code and do have questions. Who do I ask?

A: Go to the Discussions forums on CodePlex.

Q: What are all the EPM projects released on CodePlex?

A. Check this: https://www.codeplex.com/Project/ProjectDirectory.aspx?ProjectSearchText=epm

Regards,

Christophe Fiessinger

 

Technorati tags: Project Server, CodePlex, Search