Project management goes mobile

Andrew Corporation has introduced Omnix XSP for mobile operators, a Java-based extensible solution platform for project and workflow management, reports Wireless Design and Development Asia.

The Omnix XSP platform, which supports integration with other operations, support systems and enterprise resource planning systems, can be used by mobile operators for network site roll-out management, asset management, network maintenance, financial planning, and resource management.

The Omnix XSP platform has been designed to be compatible with the TeleManagement Forum`s enhanced Telecoms Operations Map (eTOM) initiative and adopts the general principles of the TM Forum`s Next Generation open source software programme.

Any project manager will say most task-based project tools are pretty similar; enter the tasks and dependencies and then, when happy with the tasks, add the effort required and check the critical path, writes David Ferdinando on Social Business Club.

Once necessary adjustments are made, the resources required for the project are entered. At this time, everything looks perfect but there are problems hiding in the detail and in the way that these tools are designed that will lead to problems later.

Not least of these are the issues caused when resources have been over booked, perhaps on other projects. It is not easily clear to the project manager that this has happened and it may not be clear until the point at which a particular critical task does not get completed on time. This is why, says Ferdinando, project managers should adopt a resource centric project management tool.

Project Management Institute (PMI), the not-for-profit professional association for the project management profession, has announced that Microsoft will serve as official host sponsor of PMI Global Congress 2006 - North America.

The three-day event will be held in Seattle, Washington, USA, from 21 to 24 October, and will offer unique opportunities for project managers to experience global thinking with regional applications and discuss key global trends and best practices.

"It takes the combination of great people and great software to ensure successful outcomes of projects in today`s complex organisations," said Chris Capossela, Microsoft corporate VP.