As project management software grew in popularity, so did the overall use. A new problem then arose: How can we see a rollup of all of the projects in the enterprise? The next step was to create a repository of all of the individual projects into an enterprise view. Although many companies offer solutions for this issue, such as IBM and Mercury, there are three market leaders.

• Clarity by CA: Clarity is one of the most configurable tools on the market. It provides an easy-to-use configure interface that allows companies to utilize the tool in several ways. It is sold in modules and on the low end can provide project or resource management, and on the high end completely integrate into your financial back-end and ERP systems such as PeopleSoft or SAP. It is completely Web based and can allow you to continue to use Microsoft Project or Open Workbench, as well as use unique “Schedule in Browser” capability. It is the author's opinion that this is the most robust and functional tool on the market. However, it is also one of the more expensive products.

• Project Server by Microsoft: Project Server extends the many capabilities of Sharepoint and Microsoft Project. It utilizes a collaboration approach to project management. It has many features of an enterprise system, but still lacks some of the complete integration that many of the other products have. You must have the professional version of Microsoft Project to use this tool. It is a far less expensive option if compared to Clarity.

• Primavera: Primavera seems to have had tremendous success in the construction and engineering world. Primavera is a mature product that handles many of the integration and collaborative options that most EPM tools use.

Choosing a tool is extremely important; however, there are many factors. Do not simply purchase a tool because it has the most features or is the most expensive. Determine what you plan to get out of the tool. If you feel your company can close $1,000,000 worth of more business due to better project planning, then a powerful enterprise system is worth the investment. If it will only help a company garner $10,000 of savings, then a lower-end system will suffice. The most crucial point to understand is that no matter what tool you select, it will not solve poor process. If solid processes and good core project practices are followed, then automating them with a tool will dramatically increase business results. Automating poor processes will just be a waste of money. Software does not solve issues; it facilitates great process.