No article published in september 2019, we address the differences and particularities of each version of Microsoft Project Online and Microsoft Project Server. In this publication we will talk about the importance and benefits of Project Server migration to Microsoft Project Online.
First, let us remember some differences from each of the versions among which we can highlight:
- Hosting: In the case of Project Server, it is hosted locally on the server and Project Online will be stored on Microsoft servers.
- Cost: The licensing cost of Project Server is higher because it will depend on the number of users, and the licenses will be owned by the company. For Project Online, there is no need to worry about investing in or updating servers, as they are Microsoft's responsibility.
- Server Access: When choosing Project Online, know that Microsoft will not allow access to the database and backup or security routines will be Microsoft's responsibility. Project Server will allow access to the database, server configuration, administrative center access, error log and routine backup execution via Microsoft SQL.
- Migration: In Project Online there is no need for migration, as the upgrade to new versions is automatic without the need for manual intervention by your company's IT team. In the case of Project Server, the product will be outdated over time, because every 3 years Microsoft launches a new version of Project Server, and it is recommended that version migration be performed every 5 years. It is also important to highlight that Microsoft support will expire according to the table below:
| Products | Support Start | End of Support Conventional |
End of Support Extended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office Project Server 2003 | 18/09/2007 | 14/04/2009 | 08/04/2014 |
| Project Server 2010 | 19/07/2013 | 13/10/2015 | 13/10/2020 |
| Project Server 2013 | 17/04/2014 | 10/04/2018 | 11/04/2023 |
| Project Server 2016 | 01/05/2016 | 13/07/2021 | 14/07/2026 |
| Project Server 2019 | 22/10/2018 | 09/01/2024 | 14/07/2026 |
When should the company migrate to Microsoft Project Online?
When the company assesses and finds that there will be a financial benefit (expenditure reduction) or due to the need for modernization of services so that it can remain competitive before its main competitors.
Before the migration decision, a study is usually carried out to examine whether there will be some kind of expense reduction or whether there will only be the benefit of updating and modernizing services. This study, among other points, should take into account equipment depreciation, labor cost to keep the staff responsible for the servers, license acquisition, etc.
As we have already said, to maintain Project Server, the company will need an active server, generating the need for resources to take care of maintenance and ensure the availability of the server and also financial resources to maintain this structure.
Key benefits of using Project Online
Whether it is because of expenditure reduction or because of the need for modernisation, we can consider that the main benefits of a migration from Project Server to Project Online are:
- Hosting cost: Since the server is hosted in Microsoft, we do not have the costs of hosting the server, maintenance and hardware upgrade.
- Licensing Cost: Licensing costs are reduced since in Project Online there is no need to purchase permanent licenses from Project Server, SharePoint and Microsoft SQL Enterprise. In the case of Project Online the only license that is purchased is that of users.
- Guarantee of an updated environment: Project Online is constantly updated without the need for customer intervention, in the case of Project Server there is the need for manual upgrade facilities that Microsoft makes available monthly for troubleshooting and there is also the need for constant migration, because the environment is outdated every 3 years and after 5 years the product loses Microsoft's warranty and support.
- Data protection: Project Online is stored on Microsoft servers in Brazil, following Brazilian data protection laws. Microsoft itself ensures server protection, using various encryption features for data protection. Project Server is more prone to cyber attacks, requiring constant server updates. It is also necessary to build protections such as VPN and firewall blocking, and this may hinder the access of the company's own users if the structure for release of access is not well constructed or parameterized.
- Access speed: The speed of access to Project Online is guaranteed because the services stay in Microsoft, thus ensuring greater ease of access and greater availability of the server.
- Maintenance cost: As the server is hosted on Microsoft, we do not have the costs of hosting the server, maintenance and hardware upgrade.
If your company is still using Project Server, we recommend migrating to Project Online to enjoy the benefits mentioned in this article.
MLPro has already carried out more than 125 PPM deployment projects, acquiring over 15 years extensive experience in Project Server version migration projects for Project Online, ensuring greater security, reliability and satisfaction in the implementation of migration.
To learn more about migration of Microsoft Project versions Server for Microsoft Project Online please contact us.
Original content from the MLPro editorial library, fully preserved and translated for the English website.