PLANTA Insights 2021 Introduces New Features

Usability, Integration in Third Party Systems, Data Security, PLANTA Online, SaaS Editions

At the digital event PLANTA Insights on 06/16/21, PLANTA introduces its new software functions which were implemented since the last PLANTA User Forum in 2019. Prototypes for the relevant new features, which will be included in the upcoming release, were introduced as well, especially the new web client which is based on the blazor technology and the resource staffing function as an extended resource planning and approval process.

As far as new features of the PLANTA Project software, strong emphasis was placed on usability, management assistance and PLANTA software online. However, topics such as integrability in third party systems like, e.g., Jira and SAP as well as data security were also discussed in depth. PLANTA Project can be used as a stand-alone solution or as a hybrid application via SaaS. The software packets can also be operated on premises.

Two specialist presentations on the topics of “Hybrid Project Management” and “Implementation of the HERMES Planning Method in the PLANTA Software” were held in the course of PLANTA’s digital event.

Due to the corona ordinances, the PLANTA user forum, which traditionally takes place in Karlsruhe, had to be held as a digital event this year. This offer, however, was lively taken up. More than 90 registered customers showed keen interest and took advantage of the opportunity to ask questions and to discuss the software. What customers particularly appreciate about PLANTA events is the opportunity to directly exchange their experiences with all employees and to network.

Introduced Features (Excerpt)

Jira interface

• Jira Epics synchronizable with PLANTA (PLANTA Jira link)
• Transfer recorded hours worked directly from Jira via webhooks
• Hybrid planning model possible by connecting Jira with PLANTA Project
• Use traditional KPIs also for agile projects: budget, resource utilization, project progress, status reports, and trend analyses

Mobile time recording for hybrid project management

• Extended time recording both on cards and on tasks directly from PLANTA Project
• Revised time recording in PLANTA pulse

Data Security

• OpenID-Connect Integration (PLANTA secure)
• SAP interface updated to the latest security features (PLANTA offers standard integrations, a.o. the SAP-RFC interface)

iCalendar interface

• Unique links per resource allow for integration in the PLANTA Project calendar
• Enables employees to plan their next appointments in i-Calendar format

Extensions of web interfaces

PLANTA pulse features

• In addition to in-app and e-mail, notification is now also possible via messaging services
• Time recording has been completely revised for mobile devices
• New calendar view
• User defined colors
• Available editors: WYSIWYG + Markdown
• User onboarding: interactive tutorials for features in PLANTA pulse
• Card view structured more clearly by different tabs
• Board templates (premium feature which comes with PLANTA pulse version in July 2021)

Features for the next rollout (September 2021)

Resource Staffing (extended resource planning and approval processes)

• Outline planning of the resources: resources/departments are requested
• Specific resources are approved by the department manager or requests are declined
• Detailed planning: after approval, resources can be planned in more detail
• Notifications via e-mail, reports via event framework with approval reminder function

Web client for PLANTA Project

For the new component, a server based on the blazor technology is placed in the cloud instead of a desktop clients. This is meant to aid user-friendliness. The web client is an interesting tool for management, a.o. because of a new management role with graphical charts on essential KPIs of all projects such as budget, date delay, objective contribution, project estimate, etc.

• PLANTA software therefore be used further on via browser on your desktop, tablet and notebook. Web client and local client can be used in parallel.
• Links can be shared or sent via e-mail for instance.
• The Web client’s design is oriented towards the PLANTA pulse design for data security reasons and for the purpose of investment protection of customer customizings.
• 1st Rollout September 2021: Including dashboard and filter function for simple application
• Data security: integrated user authentication, OpenID connect also possible for web client

ODATA Reporting Interface

• At the moment, this technology is being integrated in PLANTA Project in order to enable both the retrieval of project data via this interface and its analysis in an external tool like Tableau or Microsoft Power BI.

Documentation will be migrated to Confluence

• Better usability thanks to better navigation and process oriented structure
• Better readability
• Via F1, customers will automatically be directed to the module description of the version they use (this function replaces the previous tabs for different versions)

Some of the presented features were based on customer projects in the course of which requirements were closely coordinated with the customers and development, test, and integration in the standard were successfully realized.