In Oracle Primavera Cloud, you can assign users as different user types. These user types will determine what data the user can access, and what they can edit. For example, you could create a Company Restricted User for an outside subcontractor. These users can only access the activities assigned to their company. Or, you could create a Contact Only user – this is someone that receives emails about OPC, but can’t log in to the program. In every OPC database, however, you must have at least one user assigned the Application Administrator user type.

An Application Administrator is a user that is in charge of setting up the database for other users. These users have full access rights by default – they can see and adjust any project within the database. Administrators also have access to the Global Admin app, where they can create users and assign licenses. There will always be at least one administrator in the system. However, you can use as many application administrators as needed.

In this article, we will look at what it means to be an Application Administrator in Oracle Primavera Cloud. We’ll cover what Application Administrators can see and do within the database. We will also go over how to add additional users as application administrators in OPC.

What is an Application Administrator?

Application Administrators are a type of OPC user that have full access to the program. Administrators do not need to be assigned projects or workspaces. By default, they will see everything in the program. They also do not need to be assigned permission sets. They will have full control over all data within the database.

The main role of the Application Administrator is to set up the program for other users. Administrators will have access to the Global Admin app. This is where they can create users, assign licenses, and assign permissions. The administrators are also usually responsible for creating global data, such as workspaces.

Who is my Application Administrator?

By default, your OPC environment should already have an Application Administrator. During the process of provisioning an OPC database, your company will choose one user to be the administrator. Once Oracle creates the database, this user will receive an email where they can activate their account and set their password. When this user logs in to the program, they will be the only user available. It will be up to them to create other users and assign other administrators if needed.

The user originally designated as the administrator can choose to remove themselves from the position, if needed. Oftentimes, this person may not be an end user, and may want to transfer their license to someone else. They can do this, but only once they have created other users and assigned another administrator to the system.

You can have as many Application Administrators as needed, but it’s recommended to have at least two. This ensures that there is always at least one person available to make changes to the database.

How to Assign Users as Application Administrators

To add a user as an Application Administrator, you will first need to add them as a user to the program. You can do this within the Users app in the Global Admin application. For a full overview of how to create users, please refer to this article here.

You can assign a user as an Application Administrator during user creation. However, you can also do this after you have added them as a standard user. You can assign this within the User Details page, which is the first page that opens when you create a new user. If the user is already created, you can get to this page by selecting the gear next to the user within the Users screen.

If the user is already created, you can get to this page by selecting the gear next to the user within the Users screen. Within the dropdown menu, select Edit User Details. Under User Type, select the Application Administrator bubble. Selecting this option will assign a license to the user and remove the Global Permission Set field. This is because Application Administrators do not need assigned permissions or access. As an administrator, they will have full control within the system. After making this change, make sure to press the Save button to save your changes.

In the same way, you can switch a user from an Application Administrator to a standard User at any time. As roles change, you can always be sure your users have the project permissions they need. Be aware that switching an Administrator to a User will remove their access and permission rights. You will need to assign this User access and permissions to allow them to continue working within their Projects or Workspaces.

Application Administrator vs. Administrator (Global Permission Set)

On the User Details page, you may notice that there is a Global Permission Set option called Administrator (System). Often, new users will assign this permission set to a user, assuming it will make them an application administrator. However, the Administrator Global Permission does not make a user into an administrator.

Global Permission sets are only assigned to standard users. When you change the User Type to Application Administrator, the Global Permission field will disappear. This is because administrators already have full control, and permissions do not apply to them. 

The Administrator (System) Global Permission set gives users access to all global permissions. Global Permissions are a short set of permissions that determine what users can do generally in the program. Global Permissions determine whether users can do things such as download or export projects.

For a full list of permissions allowed within this permission set, select the Permissions app within Global Admin. Within the Global tab, select Administrator (System). The Administrator permission set only determines these listed permissions. It does not give users full access to projects or Global Admin. If you assign this permission set to a user, you will need to also assign them access to projects and workspaces.

In summary, the Administrator Global Permission set does not make a user into an Application Administrator. It just gives them full access to a short list of global permissions. To make a user into an administrator, you must change their User Type to Application Administrator.

Summary

Application Administrators are Oracle Primavera Cloud users who manage the database. These users are able to access and adjust all data within the system – even data created by others. These are the users that are responsible for setting up the program for other users. With the Global Admin app, administrators can create users, assign permissions, and determine access rights. When you first acquire OPC, a single user is designated as the Application Administrator. This user can create additional application administrators as needed. To make someone an application administrator, you must assign them the associated User Type. It is only through this field that one becomes an administrator. You can have as many administrators as needed, but it’s recommended to have at least two. That way, there’s always someone available to adjust permissions and access for end users.

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Lauren Hecker is a Oracle Primavera Cloud, Primavera P6, and Microsoft Project Instructor who teaches onsite and virtual scheduling courses. To see her next open enrollment course, please visit our calendar. To schedule an onsite or custom course, please contact us!