Choosing a Microsoft Project Viewer
What is a Microsoft Project Viewer and why would you need one?
Microsoft Project Viewers are software applications that can open and view Microsoft Project files. If someone sends a project file to you, and you don't have Microsoft Project, they provide a much less expensive alternative for opening the file, as long as you don't need to make changes to the file. Common features that viewers should have can be found here on the this page.
If you're in a hurry and want to see to the one we recommend, click here.
Why are project viewers a smart purchase for your company? They have two great benefits:
- Cost Savings. When they survey their users, companies find that they are purchasing Microsoft Project for users who could use a viewer instead. Because viewers are a fraction of the cost, there are great cost savings.
- Controlled Access. Because a project viewer cannot modify the project file, project managers can distribute their project files to users of viewers without fear that the files will be altered.
Free vs. Commercial
One choice you'll want to make early on is whether to use a free viewer or purchase a commercial product.
The following factors should be considered in this decision:
| Funds available? |
Free viewers are only recommended only when it is impossible to obtain funds to purchase a product and your need extends beyond the trial period offered by commercial vendors. In all other cases, you're better off with a commercial viewer. |
| Length of Need |
If you only need to view a file today and you're sure you won't need one in two weeks, we recommend taking advantage of the free trials offered by commercial viewers. Download a trial version of a commercial viewer and use it for free during the trial period. |
| Support |
If your organization will require technical support, installation assistance, etc., than we recommend using one of the commercial viewers. |
| Number of Users |
If you are evaluating for more than one user, the 5 project viewer essentials (see sidebar on right) become even more important, and commercial viewers are the best choice. |
| Frequency of Need |
If you think you'll be using the software frequently (more than once a week), you'll want the features offered by commercial viewers. |
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5 Project Viewer Essentials
These are the 5 things that every project viewer must have:
- Compatibility. The file format for Microsoft Project is not published. The best project viewers will open all of your project files. Only one viewer we tested opened every file.
- Ease of Use. Most people who need a project viewer are not comfortable using Microsoft Project, so a great viewer should be easier to use.
- Installed Base. If you don't have the time to evaluate project viewers, go with the leader, the one chosen by companies that did extended evaluations.
- Great Features. Project Viewers should have a core set of features, and the best ones should add innovative features. Put simply, the viewer should be great software.
- Support. Your company may use a project viewer for decades. Will the authors still be improving the viewer in ten years? Will the company still be supporting the viewer in ten years?
If you are evaluating project viewers, see the evaluation matrix on the commercial viewers page.
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