Improved integration will enable Epicor users to access the extended project and portfolio capabilities of the Office EPM family, including Project Portfolio Management, through Microsoft Office Project Portfolio Server 2007. Both applications are built on the the .NET platform and use Microsoft SharePoint technologies to enable collaboration and provide a consistent end-user experience.
The move bows to the reality of the market where project managers typically use the Microsoft system for project planning, despite it being isolated from enterprise applications. With bi-directional integration, they can still carry out project planning within Office Project, but also use the functionality within Epicor for Service Enterprises, such as CRM, time, expense, and materials management and billing.
Epicor has re-engineered the technical approach to the integration solution and said it is built on a true SOA using Microsoft .NET and web services technology. The latest version provides more flexibility. For example, project managers can initiate a project in Office EPM or Epicor for Service Enterprises and synchronize information between the two applications during different stages of planning and completion. Real-time visibility into operational and financial information is also enabled.
New features include: synchronization of project schedules (activity codes, time types, and regular and overtime hours); estimate to complete values; and synchronization of resources, resource categories, and generic resources.
