Microsoft Frees Project 2002 Beta 3

Microsoft is offering an early look at its next generation project management software, Project 2002. Project 2002 is slated to ship in two flavors: Standard and Professional. A Project Server extension will be available for integration with the upcoming Windows .NET Server, along with separate Project Server Client Access Licenses for accessing information via the Web. Beta 3 of Project 2002 Standard edition is available now, which includes resources to plan deployments of the new software upon its release.

According to Chris Capossela, general manager of Microsoft Project, "We've added an array of enterprise functionality to Microsoft Project 2002 that will appeal to all our users -- everyone from the traditional project manager, to team members working on specific tasks across projects, to executive stakeholders who need a birds-eye view of the status and costs of all the projects in their organization. Also with Microsoft Project 2002, we're introducing a family of products, including a new version of the world's leading desktop project manager (Microsoft Project 2002 Standard), as well as a powerful new server product called Microsoft Project Server 2002."

The sneak peek at Microsoft Project Standard 2002 Beta 3 is available to order on CD for $7.95 USD, which the software giant says covers shipping charges. Beta testers must activate the product upon installation and the software will expire on June 30, 2002. Microsoft reminds potential customers that "there is no product support for this beta." The final version will be released in the first half of 2002, for a retail price of $599 USD.