Our new query-style user interface "Ask Project Gateway" meets the unique needs of the wireless world. “Ask Project Gateway” is optimized for the Palm user. The interface requires the minimum of keystroke input and it efficiently packages project information to minimize transmission costs.

How it works
You activate the "AskPG" application on your handheld and enter a request.

· The Palm.Net service forwards your request to the Project Gateway Wireless Portal.
· The Project Gateway Wireless Portal then validates the user for security.
· The Portal retrieves the required information from the associated Project Gateway Repository Center database. The Portal may also create or update repository records.
· The Portal then formats the requested information for your Palm wireless device.
· The Portal delivers your information to the Palm.Net system
· The Palm.Net system radios the information to your handheld.
Note: In most cases the entire cycle is completed in a few seconds, but some queries will take longer than others.

Pricing and Availability
This new facility is available now for immediate deployment into new or existing Project Gateway sites with Repository Suite licenses. There is no additional charge for the Project Gateway Wireless Portal software, but individual users of the portal must be licensed as Project Gateway users. The customized Palm VII applet needed for each site can be created by the customer using the Palm development tools, or by Marin Research. There is a $500 fee for this service.

Security Features
Your project information is private. To keep it that way, the Project Gateway Wireless Portal implements several layers of security. · A unique "AskPG" application is custom created for your site. That application to used to initiate a request to your repository. The AskPG applet provided on the Marin Research website, for example, will only connect to a particular repository database on our server.

· A list of specific Palm VII devices authorized to use this facility is maintained. Only those specific Palm VII devices can retrieve data. Only the portal administrator can authorize new users.

· The source of the request is verified to ensure that it comes from the Palm.Net system. If you wish, an optional password can be required from the user on each access.

· The source code of the portal application is open for you to inspect, modify and add additional security features or access limitations.



Using Project Gateway from your Palm VII

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Like other Palm VII functions, you begin by launching the "AskPG" application that will lead you into the home screen. You are then offered to choose from either Project, Participant, Program, or Organization information. You enter the first letters of the subject's name and tap the GO button. If you need a complete list to jog your memory, enter "all." If several people, projects, etc. have the same initial letters, or if "all" was entered, the system returns a list of candidates for you to pick from. When the subject has been identified, the system returns a compact report page about that subject. These reports are constructed by collecting information from a number of different repository documents and then summarizes the results. At the bottom of the report page, buttons will appear to allow you to get additional detail or related reports.

Program Report

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The Program Report shows a dashboard of all projects in the program which details how each project performs against time, effort, progress and issues targets. Should you require more details, a button will download the entire Project Report for you.

Project Report

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The Project Report prepares a concise summary of a project that includes all of the following elements: · Dashboard Status - (Time, Effort, Progress, Issues) reported against the project targets. · Situation - as provided by the project manager on the last status report. · Performance Statistics - projected end date, Hours spent, Remaining, and Overdue. · Assignments Done, Remaining, and overdue. · Work plan, - actuals for the past week, and planned hours for the next 4 weeks by week. · Events - milestones recently completed, overdue, and upcoming in the near future. · Open Issues - the names of the overdue and nearly due issues. Actions on the Project Report allow you to create an issue for the project, show the appropriate Program Report, and to show the Staffing Report for the project.

Project Staffing Report

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The Project Staffing Report shows actual and planned work hours for the past week and the next 4 weeks for each person assigned to the project. Actions on this report show the Participant Report or the Project Task List for this person on this project.

Assignment Report

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Selecting the Tasks button shows the current assignments for the selected person on this project. You can also create additional assignments for that person or update an assignments status. Your assignment is immediately created in the repository with your name attached to it. Since this is done in real time, the new work will show up on all future reports.

Participant Report

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The Participant Report shows the actual and planned hours for the past week and the next 4 weeks for each project this person is assigned to. This allows you to view possible conflicts that may exist for this person and see exactly where they have been reporting time. From here you can get the current list of tasks for any of their projects, or go to the Project Report or Organization Report.

Organization Report

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The Organization Report shows the work plan for all the members of that organization. This table shows actual hours and planned hours by person for the past week and each of the next 4 weeks. The Organization view shows you immediately who is available and who is over committed in your team. From here you can go to the Participant Report (to show the individual work plan and, if desired, add tasks).

Updating your Project Repository from your Handheld

You don't have to wait until you get back to the office to update your projects.

-Create an Assignment
-Create an Issue
-Create a Project Status Report
-Mark a Task/Assignment as finished

..... Creating a new Assignment

..... Creating a Project Status Report

..... Creating a new Project Issue

Click Here to Register for Free Download (2k)

Note: The "Ask Project Gateway" interface will be available to all web users in the next release of system as an option on the Repository Center home page.

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