Questions & Answers
FAQ
What do you mean by "full-service?"
Onboarding, administration, customizability, maintenance, and support for all users--internal and external to your organization.
Who owns my data?
You do.
We manage your data in Microsoft’s cloud solution, Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365). Learn more about Microsoft 365. And because your data belongs to you, it’s also yours to take with you if you decide to leave our service.
Microsoft takes every precaution to make sure that your environment is secure and compliant. We invite you to visit the Microsoft 365 Trust Center to find detailed and up-to-date information.
What's the architecture?
VPO is an application that’s installed in the Microsoft 365 cloud, in an environment that we create and maintain. As our customer you’ll have access to an online, browser-based, and mobile-friendly experience. As the owner of your VPO data and documents, you’ll decide how and with whom (architects, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, etc.) to share project information and documentation, securely. We administer VPO for you, leaving you free to manage your projects.
How about price?
With VPO, you're not just getting a product. You're getting a partner. We're a full-service solution, so we take care of:
- Onboarding
- Administration
- Account Management
- Support for all internal and external users
Our QuickStart program accompanies each new customer engagement, for a one-time fee of $9,750. Each customer gets:
- Our standard Best Practices template
- Their own organization's branding
- A Sandbox project
- Consulting meetings for their core team
- Training for all users--internal and external--whom they invite
You can read more about our pricing and process here.
We'd be glad to help you determine the price for your organization. Contact us!
I want to use VPO on my next project. How long does it take to get started?
Typically we create and configure new VPO tenants within a few days of engagement. You’ll have early access to your environment, but you’re not on your own. Included in our QuickStart onboarding program are kickoff meetings as well as custom, role-based training sessions that we deliver live and record for you. Often customers like to have one training session per week, equating to an average onboarding/training duration of five weeks (though these services may be delivered more quickly based on your team’s availability).
What if I want a feature that you don't mention here?
Many of our customers request features that are unique to their requirements or their end clients’ requirements. VPO is flexible, and that’s one major difference between our solution and an off-the-shelf application. We get you up and running right away with our Best Practices template, and then we work with you to tailor VPO so that it’s truly yours. Customizations and enhancements may include adding new functionality or adjusting existing capabilities. We believe that a solution should support your processes, not force you to change your processes.
What's Project Online?
Microsoft Project Online provides Project Portfolio Management capabilities, including what-if analysis, resource management, and visibility across your projects. It works with Microsoft Project Professional, the desktop version of Project, enabling you to work with your tool of choice to create and manage your projects. Alternatively, you can use Project Online in a Web browser to edit project information. You can start new projects using templates, and take advantage of central resource planning.
Does VPO work on a Mac?
Yes, VPO is a Web-based application and works with Web browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, as well as with Microsoft Edge.
What if my organization doesn't have Microsoft 365?
No problem!
We provide Microsoft 365 as part of VPO.
What if my organization already has Microsoft 365?
No problem!
Whether your company is using Microsoft 365 or desktop versions of Microsoft Office, there’s no additional licensing fee required for VPO; however, VPO runs in its own, separate Microsoft 365 tenant so that we can provide better administration and support services for our customers.
“Microsoft 365” doesn’t just describe the desktop applications of Microsoft Office like Outlook, Word, and Excel. It’s also Microsoft’s managed services for hosted email, file sharing, online meetings, and more. Learn more about Microsoft 365.
Which Microsoft apps do you use in VPO?
It depends on each customer’s requirements and needs; however, we typically leverage the following apps in our VPO deployments:
SharePoint, OneDrive, Project Online, Project Professional, Teams, Power BI, Power Automate, Office Online, Office Mobile App, Office Desktop App–which includes the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and more. Some third-party apps are used as well.
As new Microsoft apps become available, we add them to our VPO solution if they enhance our customers’ ability to manage projects more effectively.
How about integration?
Improving functional alignment and connectivity across your project team and all participants’ role-focused software--that’s our aim. Multiple solutions must work together in an efficient and cost-effective manner for optimal adoption and maximal construction management benefit. Count on VPO to get your people, and their software, talking to each other and working together well.
Can I try it before I buy it?
Yes!
We offer a “sandbox” program for potential VPO customers who are in discussions with our Solution Consultants about how VPO could serve their needs.
