DP Tool Club 8/CDASC08.ISO/VRAC/RPM33.ZIP/README.1ST

Text File | 1993-07-06 | 9KB | 188 lines

Welcome to this shareware version of RPM - The Resources and Projects
Manager. RPM is the only projectS management system that focuses on
managing all your projects and resources at once -- with no knowledge
of CPM (Critical Path Method) or PERT (Program Evaluation and Review
Technique) required.

================
RPM - WHAT IS IT
================

RPM is both a projectS and resourceS (emphasis on the "s") management
system.

RPM is NOT a replacement for standard critical path project
management applications. These applications are essential tools in
the management of large, "high-risk" projects. The definition of
"high risk" is somewhat relative, of course, but any project that
might be described as "mission-critical" for your organization,
with a great number of activities (tasks), should be planned in some
detail, using a critical path product that can schedule activities,
level resources and point out critical problems.

However, many organizations have many projects on the go at once.
Usually these projects can be described as relatively "low-risk"
and, while they should still be planned, the level of effort
required to build and maintain a critical path plan for each may be
prohibitive. It is for this situation that RPM was designed.

RPM allows you to model all your projects quickly using a familiar
spreadsheet-like arrangement for each project. A project consists of
resources across the top of the "sheet" and phases down the side.
Estimates of efforts and dates can be made on a project, phase,
resource or cell (the intersection of a resource and phase) level.

The Gantt/Utilization screen lets you see up to six resources on
screen simultaneously (VGA), so you can immediately assess the impact
of any project or group of projects on any resources or group of
resources at a glance.

Projects can be updated in minutes with just a few percent-complete
numbers. Progress information can be imported directly from many
project accounting systems.

RPM lets you assign individuals (e.g.: Jim Smith), groups of individuals
(e.g.: project managers), disciplines (e.g.: architects), departments
and other resource or organizational structures to a project. RPM can
be setup, for example, so that if Jim Smith was also designated as an
architect, his utilization on any given project would be removed from
the availability of architects for other projects.

In addition, RPM produces presentation quality reports, including
resource utilization curves and Gantt (bar) charts. Reports can be
written to file as Lotus files to produce spreadsheet based graphs, if
desired. Also, the ASCII import facility means that RPM can be updated
automatically from many financial/project accounting/staff time sheet
systems.

For projects that have not begun, a percent likelihood of actually doing
the work can be assigned to the project. Thus, expected values of future
work can be estimated in both hours and dollars.



=====================
THE SHAREWARE VERSION
=====================

This RPM Shareware version is fully functional in all respects except you
are limited to 20 projects and 20 resources. The Professional Version can
handle hundreds of resources and projects within 640 KB RAM and utilizes
EMM to increase project/resource capacity even further.


===========
RUNNING RPM
===========

Just type RPM at the DOS Prompt.  If you are using a monochrome monitor
you may need to type RPM -m.

To use RPM you need to remember four keys:  F1, Escape, Enter and F10
for help. Use F1 on any field that displays in red to invoke pop-up menus.

For a quick RPM tutorial copy the file LESSON.DOC to your printer and then
follow the instructions.  The Tutorial will take about 20 minutes.

Extensive on-line help can always be obtained by pressing F10 consecutively
three times, as needed.  Pressing F10 once will give you field-related help;
twice will give you screen related help; and three times will give you a
help topic index and pick-list.

================
SOFTWARE SUPPORT
================

This RPM Shareware version will receive 90 days from date of registration
written and telephone support.  This support and the 300 page User Guide
are included in the $295.00 US purchase/registration price.  Software
telephone support is available by calling [phone], Monday - Friday,
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Pacific Coast Time; or FAX [phone], 24 hours
daily, 7 days weekly; or CompuServe 70254,3443.

You can also write to us at the following South Pointe Software offices:

                   U.S.A.                            CANADA
     ---------------------------------     ---------------------------
     South Pointe Software                 South Pointe Software
     816 Peace Portal Drive, Suite 175     1 - 1812 Southmere Crescent
     P.O. Box 880                          White Rock, B.C.  V4A 6W9
     Blaine, WA 98231-0880

=======================
DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE
=======================

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before
buying it.  If you try a shareware program and continue using it, you
are expected to register.  Individual programs differ on details - some
request registration while others require it - some specify a maximum
trial period.  With registration you get anything from the simple right
to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareweare and commercial software, and the
copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as
stated below.  Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like
commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality.  The main
difference is in the method of distribution.  The author specifically
grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and
sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written
permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should
find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's
commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs
easier, because you can try before you buy. Also, because the distribution
overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back
guarantee - if you don't use the program, you don't pay for it.

======================
DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT
======================

Any user of RPM/Resources and Projects Manager (RPM) Shareware version
software accepts this disclaimer of warranty:

"RPM is supplied as is.  The author disclaims all warranties, expressed
or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of
merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no
liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from
the use of RPM."

This RPM Shareware version of the program is provided at no charge to
the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your friends and
associates, but you are not permitted to give it away altered or as
part of another system.  The essence of "user-supported" software is to
provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices.

If you find RPM useful and find that you are using RPM and continue to
use RPM after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration
payment of US$295.00 to South Pointe Software. The US$295.00 registration
fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time.
If you wish more than one person to use the program simultaneously on
more than one computer, contact South Pointe Software at [phone]
for economical multi-user and/or multi-site license fees.

Commercial users of RPM must register and pay for their copy(ies) of RPM
within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn.

Anyone distributing RPM for any kind of remuneration must first contact
South Pointe Software at either the above U.S.A or Canadian address
for authorization.  This authorization will be automatically granted to
distributors recognized by the Association of Shareware Professionals
(ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such
distributors may begin offering RPM immediately following the receipt of
such authorization.  South Pointe Software must be advised so that the
distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest versions of RPM and
receive South Pointe Sotfware's RPM product information mailings.

You are encouraged to pass a copy of RPM along to your friends for
evaluation.  Please encourage them to register their copy if they use
it.  All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of
RPM's program and the professionally bound and printed copy of the 300
page User Guide.