Oracle Primavera Cloud is Oracle’s cloud-based project management solution. In terms of scheduling, OPC is very similar to Primavera P6 Professional and Primavera P6 Enterprise. However, Oracle Primavera Cloud offers many additional benefits to end users – such as lower costs and easier accessibility. Given the longevity of Primavera P6 as the industry standard for scheduling, some users may be hesitant to adopt OPC. Despite this, there are a variety of benefits to the OPC, including new tools and enhancements not yet available in P6. For current P6 users who are considering transitioning to OPC, here are 10 advantages to using Oracle Primavera Cloud.

1. Cost

When considering purchasing a project management solution, cost is often an important factor. This is especially true if you’ll need to license the product company wide. At this time, a standard license of Oracle Primavera Cloud costs under $1600 per user per year. This is about 1/3 of the cost of one Primavera P6 license. Additionally, OPC licenses include support – whereas this is an additional charge with P6 licenses.

Along with being a cheaper alternative, OPC also allows you to choose between a variety of license types at different price points. If you have users who will only need to perform status updates, you can purchase the Progress license – a cheaper, more limited license type. Similarly, if a user will only need to manage lean schedules, you can purchase the Task license type. With these different OPC license types, you can be sure you are only paying for the specific tools your user needs.

For a more thorough overview of the Oracle Primavera Cloud license types, click here.

cOracle Primavera Cloud tip: The apps available to you within the program depend on the license that you have been assigned. While the Schedule license gives you access to most tools, the Task and Progress licenses provide more restrictive access. To see all the apps available to you, select the User Menu > Site Map.

2. 100% cloud-based solution

Oracle Primavera Cloud is a completely web-based application with zero client-side software. This makes it a high performance, scalable, and reliable system. With OPC, you do not need to waste time maintaining and downloading apps on your computer. Oracle Primavera Cloud is hosted on the cloud, always accessible from an internet browser. This will allow you to both save time, and space on your computer. With OPC, you also no longer need to worry about upgrading or performing manual upgrades. OPC is consistently updated on its own, and you’ll always have access to the newest version of the program.

Additionally, since OPC exists completely on the cloud, you can access your projects from anywhere, at any time. You are no longer limited to one computer – you now have access to your data from anywhere, as long as you have internet access. If needed, you can even access OPC from a phone or tablet.

Comparatively, Primavera P6 Professional is an on-prem application. This means that you install and use it on just one computer at a time. If you’re away from the computer you installed the program on to, you will not have access to your projects and data. On the other hand, OPC lets you view and work on your projects from anywhere, at any time. This allows you to stay connected wherever you are – whether it be onsite or in the office.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: Most functions in the program – like scheduling, importing, and exporting – will perform in the background. This allows you to continue working even as these processes run. Once the process is complete, you will receive a notification via the Notifications menu.

3. Multiple workflow solutions under a single platform

Although Oracle Primavera Cloud allows for robust schedule creation and management, that is far from all it does. OPC is an extremely versatile program that allows you to perform a variety of different workflows. Along with project management, you can perform risk analysis, lean scheduling, and even track costs and funds. With a variety of different tools available, you can track and maintain every aspect of your projects and portfolios.

With Primavera P6 alone, you would have to purchase other programs to access all these same workflows. For example, you would need to purchase Risk Analysis for risk tracking, and Progress Reporter for time sheet capabilities. On the other hand, Oracle Primavera Cloud offers all of these capabilities under one platform – at no additional cost.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: With an object open (such as a Project, Workspace, or Program), all available apps will appear within the Main Menu. Each app features a variety of different pages that you can use within the open object.

4. Improved communication and collaboration

In Primavera P6 Professional, team members are only able to collaborate on projects if they are inside the same database. Setting up a shared SQL Database can be a tiresome ordeal – it is not intuitive and requires a lot of IT support. If your company does not set up a shared database, you will need to export/import projects to share them with others.

In Oracle Primavera Cloud, this shared database is already set up for you. All you need to do is add users to allow them to collaborate on the same projects. Multiple users can be working on the same projects simultaneously, and changes will appear in real time. You no longer need to worry about setting up a shared database to do this – it is all set up for you from the get go.

Additionally, Oracle Primavera Cloud has a variety of tools specifically for collaboration. For example, OPC allows users to create and submit timesheets to communicate and collect progress. To perform this same capability in Primavera P6 Professional, you would need to purchase an additional program and license.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: When working on a project, you can add discussion comments to activities. Any user with access to the project will be able to view and respond to these discussions. With discussions, you can keep all of your project communication in one place.

5. Combined power of Lean and Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling

Primavera P6 only allows you to schedule using the Critical Path Method. Oracle Primavera Cloud gives you access to the same Critical Path Method scheduling capabilities. However, OPC also features a Tasks app that incorporates lean scheduling practices. With the Tasks app, you can break activities down into individual tasks and rearrange them along a virtual planning board. You can even assign these tasks to different Companies, tracking who is responsible for what.

With the ability to use both CPM and lean scheduling, Oracle Primavera Cloud ensures that you’re able to schedule your project in the most efficient manner possible.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: You can perform Lean Scheduling in the Tasks app. On the Work Plan page, you can divide your activities into smaller tasks. Then, you can rearrange them on a timeline to ensure the most efficient workflows possible.

6. Mobile functionality

Although you can access OPC from any computer or tablet, the program also features a built-in mobile application. You can download the mobile app for both iOs and Android devices for free. Using the Oracle Primavera Cloud mobile app, you can update your activities and timesheets from anywhere – regardless of location. 

Primavera P6 Professional is a standalone on-prem application. This means that you can only access the program from the computer you installed it on to. Oracle Primavera Cloud, on the other hand, has robust mobile application integration. With OPC, you can view, communicate, and collaborate on projects wherever you are – even when away from your computer.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: You can download the Oracle Primavera Cloud mobile app by selecting the User Menu > Get Primavera Cloud Mobile. Scan the QR code or follow the provided links to download the app for your smartphone or tablet.

7. Easier user access

If you’re new to Primavera P6, the interface and navigation of the program can be difficult to manage. Because the program features a variety of tools, new users may have trouble finding the features they need. New P6 users may even require a full day training course before they can effectively schedule with the program.

On the other hand, Oracle Primavera Cloud features a more simplified layout with easier accessibility. For example, OPC’s homepage provides quick links and directions on adding projects and accessing activities. If you need more help, OPC features a variety of free training materials. In the Training Center, you’ll have access to a suite of training videos, showing you how to perform different functions in the program. Using the Help panel, you’ll receive context specific help for any page within the program. Using these resources, new users can quickly learn how to use OPC to create and manage project schedules.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: There are a series of quick access links on the Get Started page – such as those for opening and creating projects. You can access the Get Started page by selecting the Primavera Cloud text in the upper left hand corner of the screen.

8. Scenarios (What-if schedules)

When you’re working on a project, there’s always a chance that the unexpected will occur. For example, you might have weather conditions or scope changes that delay the project’s schedule or increase its budget. In these cases, you may need to make some experimental changes to your schedule to help eliminate potential risks. In Primavera P6, you could only experiment with changes like this by creating a copy of the project or a Reflection. This was a clunky method that could lead to messy, disorganized databases.

In Oracle Primavera Cloud, this process has become much simpler with Scenarios. Scenarios are what-if copies of your project schedule. With scenarios, you can make any changes needed to your project – without affecting the main project copy. However, unlike in Primavera P6, Scenarios are not separate projects. Like baselines, they stay attached to the original project schedule. Rather than overwhelming your database with additional projects, scenarios stay tied to the project itself. However, you can still export scenarios or make changes in the scenario permanent if needed.

In Oracle Primavera Cloud, scenarios allow you to experiment with your projects – without having to commit to permanent changes. This can help ensure you’re scheduling your project in the most efficient manner possible.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: On the Activities page, you can create a scenario by selecting  Actions > Add Scenario. At any time, you can even choose to have the scenario replace the current schedule. This will make the changes in the scenario display in the Current Schedule – making them permanent.

9. Improved Schedule Comparison

After updating the project schedule, it’s often useful to perform schedule comparisons. This will show you how far ahead or behind your project is running compared to its original baseline. In Primavera P6, you could perform schedule comparisons by setting up a layout and assigning baselines. This was a clunky method that required a lot of initial setup and technical knowledge to properly work.

In Oracle Primavera Cloud, on the other hand, the schedule comparison process has become more streamlined. OPC features a Schedule Comparison page that you simply have to open to run the comparison. Rather than you having to create a layout for the comparison, the program does this for you. Additionally, the Schedule Comparison page allows you to compare the current schedule with not only baselines – but also with scenarios.

Oracle Primavera Cloud keeps track of your schedule’s progress from its creation.  You can choose to compare the current schedule, a baseline, or a scenario with any date or time since the creation of the project. Even if you forgot to regularly take baselines, you will still be able to perform these schedule comparisons.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: To run a schedule comparison, select Schedule > Schedule Comparison. Select two schedule variations to compare. You can select either the current schedule, a Baseline, a Scenario, or a specific date/time. 

10. Advanced Baseline capabilities

One of the most notable differences between Primavera P6 and Primavera Cloud are the baseline capabilities. Both programs allow you to create an unlimited number of baselines – but OPC allows for much more flexibility with them. For one, OPC allows you to create a baseline from any point within the project’s history. This means that if you performed a status update without first saving a baseline, you can retroactively create a baseline from a past point in time. This capability essentially eliminates any needless schedule errors. If you ever make a mistake within a project, you can always create a baseline from the project as it was in the past.

Additionally, in OPC, you can open up baselines as if they were separate projects all together. In P6, baseline data would only display in specific columns in the table and bars in the Gantt Chart. In OPC, on the other hand, you can view the entire baseline project on the Activities screen. Using the Open menu, you can switch back and forth between viewing the baseline schedule and the current schedule. Just like with scenarios, you can even replace the current schedule with the baseline version if needed.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: Even with the Schedule Comparison page, you can still perform baseline comparisons on the Activities screen. Baseline columns and bars are available for each of the different baseline types: Original, Current, and Supplementary. You can even assign additional baselines by selecting Actions > Set User Baseline Preferences.

Summary

Oracle Primavera Cloud is the perfect solution if you are looking to move your project management workflows to the cloud. Due to its intuitive interface and controls, OPC allows for a smooth transition for both former P6 users and new schedulers alike. Oracle Primavera Cloud has all the same scheduling capabilities as Primavera P6 – but offers a variety of additional features. From the advantages described above to the lower price point, OPC has proven to be a powerful alternative to Primavera P6.

For more information about Oracle Primavera Cloud, please visit the product page on our website. To find out more about what Oracle Primavera Cloud offers, please contact us to request a quote or a demo.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please use the comment section on the bottom of this page. Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to get more Oracle Primavera Cloud tips & tricks in your inbox!

Lauren Hecker is the Oracle Primavera Cloud instructor for Taradigm. Along with OPC, she teaches a variety of CPM scheduling programs, including Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project. To see her next open enrollment course, please visit our calendar. To schedule an onsite or custom course, please contact us!