Today, many software companies are moving to the cloud and offering their programs as subscription services. There are many benefits to this for the end users. For example, lower costs, automatic and frequent updates, and more accessibility. Users can access the program from any computer or tablet.

Oracle has recently come out with their own cloud-based offering: Oracle Primavera Cloud. OPC is a 100% cloud-first, user-optimized project portfolio management (PPM) product. It offers solutions for all stages of the project lifecycle.

Many companies are switching from Primavera P6 Professional and Primavera P6 Enterprise to Oracle Primavera Cloud. As a PPM product, OPC offers all the same functions as  Primavera P6, with a variety of additional workflows. For example, OPC has task scheduling, risk management, and scope tools.

For current Primavera P6 users who are considering transitioning their project management processes to the cloud, here are 9 advantages to using Oracle Primavera Cloud.

1. Cost

When considering which PPM product to choose, one of the most important factors is cost. This is especially true if the product needs to be licensed company wide. Oracle Primavera Cloud features a variety of cost effective license types. These types start at just $100/month and can serve as an alternative to P6 Professional. OPC licenses allow for a minimum of five users and include support. This makes Oracle Primavera Cloud roughly 1/3 of the cost of a new Primavera P6 license.

Along with being a cheaper alternative to Primavera P6, OPC also has a variety of license types to choose from so you only pay for the features you need. If you need to purchase hundreds of Oracle Primavera Cloud Licenses, you can be sure you are only paying for the specific tools your team needs.

For a more thorough overview of the Oracle Primavera Cloud licenses available, click here.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: The apps available within the program depend on the license purchased. To see all of the apps and workflows available to you, select 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, extensible and reliable system.

There’s no need to worry about losing your information, or waste time maintaining and downloading apps on your computer. The entire OPC program is hosted on the cloud and will allow you to save time and space on your computer.

Additionally, since OPC exists completely on the cloud, your projects, portfolios, and schedule data are accessible from anywhere at any time. This includes via a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Primavera P6 Professional is an application that only works on one computer at a time. OPC lets you view and work on your projects from anywhere at any time.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip:Functions that may take time, such as scheduling the project, importing projects, and comparing schedules, will be performed in the background of the program. This allows you to continue working as they are run. When the function is complete, you will be notified via the Notifications menu.

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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. The Platform features a variety of workflow solutions. This includes Primavera Schedule, Primavera Lean, Primavera Portfolio Management and Primavera Progress. These solutions allow you to plan, schedule and control projects. You can evaluate scenarios, cost load and manage resources, and create and manage portfolios. You can also break schedules into lean-scheduling tasks, and perform risk and scope management.

With Primavera P6 alone, you would have to use multiple programs to perform all these workflows. In Oracle Primavera Cloud, these capabilities are available under one platform.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: With an object open (such as a project, workspace, or program), all available apps will appear on the toolbar on the left. Each app features a variety of different functions that can be used within the open object.

4. Improved communication and collaboration

In Primavera P6 Professional, team members are only able to view projects if they are inside the same database. Any changes they make have to be reviewed manually. In Oracle Primavera Cloud, you can easily send information and changes to the schedule to other users. You can do this in real time, as the changes are happening. 

Oracle Primavera Cloud was created for collaboration, and includes built-in team member applications for all team member types, as well as the ability to create and submit timesheets to communicate and collect progress from users. With Primavera P6 Professional, this capability is separately licensed.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: When working in a project, you can add discussion comments to individual activities. The rest of your project team with access to the project will be able to view and respond to all discussions.

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, the program also features a Tasks app that incorporates lean scheduling practices. With the Tasks app, activities in the schedule can be broken down into individual tasks and rearranged along a virtual timeline.

With the ability to use both CPM and lean scheduling methods, 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 for the most efficient workflows.

6. Mobile Functionality

Along with being able to access the OPC cloud-based platform from any computer or tablet, the program features a built mobile application. You can download the mobile app for free with a product license. The app gives you access to project data, notifications, and discussions even while offline.

Primavera P6 Professional is a standalone computer application. Oracle Primavera cloud however, has mobile application integration. This allows you to view project data on the go. Communication and collaboration can continue, even when you’re away from your computer.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: The Oracle Primavera Cloud mobile apps can be downloaded by selecting User Menu > Get Mobile Apps. Simply scan the QR code or follow the links to download the apps for your smartphone or tablet.

7. Easier User Access

If you’re not used to using Primavera P6, the layout of the program can be difficult to get used to. Often, the program requires a training course to fully understand where to access certain features.

Oracle Primavera Cloud has a simplified layout where you can perform functions. For example, you can see clear directions on how to add a project and have access to activities and timesheets directly on the homepage. If you need more help, OPC features a variety of accessible help stations. This includes a suite of free training videos that teach you how to perform any function in the program.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: There are a series of quick access links for functions you may want to perform on the Get Started page. For example, opening and creating projects. You can access the Get Started page via the Oracle logo in the upper left hand corner.

8. Scenarios (What-if Schedules)

When you’re working on a project, you may want to make some experimental changes to your schedule that you don’t want to be permanent. For example, you want to explore different ways to avoid potential risks. In Primavera P6, there is no easy way to do this without directly changing your main schedule. This could lead to loss of your original schedule data.

In Oracle Primavera Cloud, this issue was fixed with the inclusion of Scenarios. Scenarios are what-if solutions that allow you to work with a version of your project that is separate from your main project copy. In the Scenario version of the schedule, you can make any change you wish to without affecting the main project copy.

Scenarios in Oracle Primavera Cloud allow you to explore and experiment in your projects. This can help you decrease project runtimes and avoid running into potential risks.

Oracle Primavera Cloud tip: While on the Activities page, you can create a Scenario by selecting  Actions > Add Scenario. At any time, you can also choose to have the Scenario replace the current schedule, if desired.

9. Improved Schedule Comparison

In Primavera P6 Professional, you can perform schedule comparisons with the current schedule and any created baselines. This can be useful to compare how the original start and finish dates match up to the current dates. With this, you can evaluate any specific causes of delay. 

In Oracle Primavera Cloud, this schedule comparison feature was greatly improved. Not only can you compare the current schedule with any created baselines together, but you can also compare both to any created Scenarios.

Additionally, Oracle Primavera Cloud keeps track of your schedule’s progress from its creation.  You can also choose to compare a schedule, Baseline, or Scenario with any date or time since the creation of the project. With this added feature, you can compare the past schedule and the current schedule without any additional baselines. 

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 or Scenario, or a specific date/time. Select Compare.

Summary

Oracle Primavera Cloud is the perfect solution for companies looking to move their project management workflows to the cloud. OPC allows for a smooth transition from an application-based program to a cloud-based one. Oracle Primavera Cloud has all the same capabilities as Primavera P6 Professional with additional features -at a much lower cost.