Merlin, my evaluation
Roeland Huys
hear from you if this is something you can support me with, or are
planning to fix or improve.
I often work with files located on the company server using VPN.
Sometimes VPN is working bad, so when saving a document, most software
returns an error so I can save my work on the local drive. However,
last time Merlin simply hangs, and I have to force-quit the app, and I
lost all my work.
The "combine projects" function: after combining different projects,
the dialog box remains empty. I think the links to the files should be
there.
I like to schedule on "duration based". In Merlin, this is quite
cumbersome: I have to do much manual field editing.
I miss "resource groups" to easily filter long lists in the
utilization view.
When filtering, the total utilization of resources (in the utilization
view) is not updated. For example, I like to see the resource
assignments + utilization for a part of the project. I can use a
filter on "group path" but when switching to Utilization view, nothing
is changed.
I would like to have a filter like "isolate this tasks and all
subtasks"
I would like to easily filter on resource groups in the activities
view.
A suggestion for above issues: make a 'filter box' (e.g. below the
activities), with default and custom filter shortcuts. One default
filter could be the selection of a resource or resource group. Filters
should be operational across all views!
Something is wrong with the fields and columns. For example, if I add
the "note" column in the "activities view", they do not show the same
content as the note column in the "Utilization view".
I miss a feature to put collapsed bars on one line. Please see example
below: these bars should be printable on one line to improve
visibility.
I miss the feature to split a task different bars (interruptions).
This is solved by above suggestion, since you can make a task out of
10 small tasks and simply show the bars on one row in "collapsed"
mode. Same thing for different assignments. Given that, I miss the
possibility to assign a person several times on the same task, with
interruptions.
On top of the well structured "view settings", I think Merlin misses
"individual task customization", like color, row height, etc. Some
tasks require different details.
I have serious problems exporting my project plans to Excel for Mac.
The € sign forces Excel to interprete the values as strings. The
indentation is often wrong. Direct export to Excel format (not CSV)
while preserving some styles would be a benefit. The option to assign
a custom set of "page" tabs and assign them with "workspaces",
"filters" and "views" would be very helpful (now it's all manual work,
exporting to 10 CSV files).
I seriously miss custom calculated fields! It should be an option to
automatically propagate the sum to the parent groups (for any number).
I like the way Merlin allows custom field creation, (it is much better
than MSproj), but the option to do custom calculations is missing.
Interesting would be the ability to enter simple formulas in a custom
numerical field. Now, I have to export/import from/to excel 10 times a
day to make simple (AxB+C) calculations. Would you consider adding
such a feature? On a related note: custom global variables would be
cool.
Vicky Stamatopoulou
Am Feb 17, 2012 um 3:30 PM schrieb Roeland Huys:
> have been struggling on some shortcomings/bugs, and I would like to
> hear from you if this is something you can support me with, or are
> planning to fix or improve.
>
> I often work with files located on the company server using VPN.
> Sometimes VPN is working bad, so when saving a document, most software
> returns an error so I can save my work on the local drive. However,
> last time Merlin simply hangs, and I have to force-quit the app, and I
> lost all my work.
I would not recommend editing files directly opened over a VPN or a slow AFP, or SMB connection.
Merlin does not load the complete file in the memory, that means it needs an online connecting to the real file at all time for most of your actions. So just copy the file locally on your mac, edit it and use the server to place there your backuped file.
If you want your file to be available for other Merlin users, we suggest you enable project publishing: File > Publish > Project > Start
Now others can edit the file over their Merlin apps (File > Remote Open) and collaborate at the same time with you.
> The "combine projects" function: after combining different projects,
> the dialog box remains empty. I think the links to the files should be
> there.
Sorry, I don't understand this. I would suggest you send your reports or feature requests to Merlin support. This is a user forum and Merlin users cannot really do much to solve program issues or implement new features :)
>
> I like to schedule on "duration based". In Merlin, this is quite
> cumbersome: I have to do much manual field editing.
How do you schedule this?
- If you know the duration you enter in the duration field, and remove the work entry.
All assigned resources will be then assigned throughout out the duration of the task.
- If you want to enter start and end dates, to define fix start and end dates, do so and remove finally the work entry.
- If you need a fix start, enter this in the earliest start, enter a duration and remove the work.
You will find related tips here:
http://www.projectwizards.net/en/macpm/merlin/merlin-planing-activities
>
> I miss "resource groups" to easily filter long lists in the
> utilization view.
You can filter the utilization view over the "advanced search". Just create a new search for "group contains <group name>"
>
> When filtering, the total utilization of resources (in the utilization
> view) is not updated. For example, I like to see the resource
> assignments + utilization for a part of the project. I can use a
> filter on "group path" but when switching to Utilization view, nothing
> is changed.
>
> I would like to have a filter like "isolate this tasks and all
> subtasks"
Isolate this tasks and subtasks to do what? Sorry I am not sure I understand your request.
>
> I would like to easily filter on resource groups in the activities
> view.
I understand, and forward this request the management. Resource group information is not available in the activities view, so you cannot filter according to this value.
>
> A suggestion for above issues: make a 'filter box' (e.g. below the
> activities), with default and custom filter shortcuts. One default
> filter could be the selection of a resource or resource group. Filters
> should be operational across all views!
>
> Something is wrong with the fields and columns. For example, if I add
> the "note" column in the "activities view", they do not show the same
> content as the note column in the "Utilization view".
This is correct. You probably have entered the note on the row of the task. In the utilization view you see Resources and their assignment rows. So to see the note in the utilization view, you need to enter it in the activity view in the assignment row. I think if you enable the display of the columns # in both views, you can understand this better.
>
> I miss a feature to put collapsed bars on one line. Please see example
> below: these bars should be printable on one line to improve
> visibility.
This is something MS Project calls "rollup of tasks". I forward it to the management as a feature request.
>
> I miss the feature to split a task different bars (interruptions).
> This is solved by above suggestion, since you can make a task out of
> 10 small tasks and simply show the bars on one row in "collapsed"
> mode. Same thing for different assignments. Given that, I miss the
> possibility to assign a person several times on the same task, with
> interruptions.
This is a recorded feature request.
>
> On top of the well structured "view settings", I think Merlin misses
> "individual task customization", like color, row height, etc. Some
> tasks require different details.
Consider this forwarded as well.
>
> I have serious problems exporting my project plans to Excel for Mac.
> The € sign forces Excel to interprete the values as strings.
Could it help to export with double quotes?
> The
> indentation is often wrong.
? I would suggest you send a sample project to Merlin support and the corresponding file you have exported illustrating this indentation issue.
> Direct export to Excel format (not CSV)
> while preserving some styles would be a benefit.
Have you tried to copy the rows and paste in EXCEL?
Also… have you tried to copy with formats and paste then in EXCEL?
> The option to assign
> a custom set of "page" tabs and assign them with "workspaces",
> "filters" and "views" would be very helpful (now it's all manual work,
> exporting to 10 CSV files).
Sorry, I don't understand this request.
>
> I seriously miss custom calculated fields! It should be an option to
> automatically propagate the sum to the parent groups (for any number).
> I like the way Merlin allows custom field creation, (it is much better
> than MSproj), but the option to do custom calculations is missing.
Forwarded to the management.
>
> Interesting would be the ability to enter simple formulas in a custom
> numerical field. Now, I have to export/import from/to excel 10 times a
> day to make simple (AxB+C) calculations. Would you consider adding
> such a feature? On a related note: custom global variables would be
> cool
I would suggest you use AppleScript. You could then do the calculations direct in Merlin without export/import.
Applescript samples can be found here:
http://www.projectwizards.net/en/macpm/tag/applescript
Best regards, Vicky
Vicky Stamatopoulou
Timeline 3D
Visualise the timeline of project structures by the various possibilities of Timeline 3D (http://www.beedocs.com/index.php). Select the activities in Merlin and simply use a "Send To" script (http://www.projectwizards.net/downloads/applescripts/Timeline3D.applescript.zip) we have developed.
This discussion of feature requests / responses / options is helpful. I did not find another section of the Group set up for making suggestions, so thought I would enter one here. This may relate to the items on collapsing / overlapping tasks. Basically, would Merlin add a "Timeline View" option. This would be similar to MS Project 2010 Timeline feature, but implemented in a more flexible manner. Timelines are very useful for summary and executive presentations. My clients don't have tolerance to view a detailed Gannt chart, and in many cases works streams proceed in parallel. So, the requirement is for SELECTED tasks to be presented on the time-line and for the layout engine to be INTELLIGENT in showing overlapping tasks on the same line. This might be accomplished by use of transparency, or bars of different height where overlap occurs. Finally, the implementation requires FLEXIBILITY of order, so that a subtask from near the top of the project could be shown on the same timeline bar with several others that occur lower in the Gantt but depend on the earlier one. Some aspects of this might be accomplished by simply providing Hide / Unhide for rows - like in Excel worksheet. But a more comprehensive drag / drop capability (vertical, but not horizontal) would be more powerful and visually appealing.
Thanks!
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