Last week I needed to view a colleague’s project plan (in Microsoft Project) to make sure I hadn’t been stitched up ensure that all the activities had been captured in the correct sequence and within a realistic time frame. Because I didn’t have Microsoft Project installed on my PC, I had to go through the correct processes to get a licence allocated and the software installed.
I could have just got the CD out of my drawer and installed an illegal copy, but I was “being good” and my honesty cost my Manager’s budget £223.35 – and that’s with a heavy volume licence discount.
Literally two days after the software was installed, I attended an event where I was given a copy of Seavus Project Viewer. For anyone who’s not aware of this product’s existence (I wasn’t), it is an application which allows Microsoft Project (.MPP) files to be viewed by users who don’t have a copy of Microsoft Project installed. At only $39, this would have been substantially more cost-effective than licensing Microsoft Project so I thought I’d blog about it and save someone else from spending the money if they only need read-only access to project plans.
Most of these MPP readers are international. However I have found a new product that is British just launched (I believe) called the MPP Viewer from Project Management Software Centre, Barnsley) It also has many extra graphics than MS Project – looks great!!!!
http://www.mppviewer.co.uk
If you want a fast & simple mpp viewer, which can recall your plans online and to all your Team Members, then I recommend http://www.egantt.co.uk. This site will read 2000, 02, 03, 07 mpp formats and then store a plan to your repository account, synchronising regular updates. Your team members can then be updated via the website. Try it out, its totally free.
If you want a fast & simple mpp viewer, which can recall your plans online and to all your Team Members, then I recommend http://www.mpp-viewer.net . This site will read 2000, 02, 03, 07 mpp formats and then store a plan to your repository account, synchronising regular updates. Your team members can then be updated via the website. Try it out, its totally free.
My company uses Seavus Project Viewer for a couple of years now and we are more than satisfied with it. Mostly, because we work with very big mpp files and the SPV opens them faster than any other viewer out there. Also their add-in for updating tasks called Seavus Easy Update is a very useful tool we use for task updates.
Thanks Ed. This site is fantastic http://www.mpp-viewer.net . I have been unable to download any apps in my IT department, so being able to view an mpp file on line is a real great quick fix. From Jonnie2.
Why don’t You try Ganttzilla (http://www.ganttzilla.com) – online project plan documents viewer which supports popular Microsoft Project and Planner formats. With Ganttzilla you can view or share your Gantts with anyone using just Web Browser. No installation needed, free, supports all popular web browsers.
And another interesting Ganttzilla feature: you can use our service as versioning storage and discussion boards for your Project documents.
Best,
Taras
I would like to also mention MOOS Project Viewer a free Microsoft Project viewer running on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux