How to optimize resource utilization with InLoox PM 7

Manage the resource capability and work load more efficiently with the visual resources overview. It integrates both project work packages from InLoox PM  7 and appointments from the Microsoft Exchange free/busy service. This way, you always have an instant and complete overview of all project resources – be it team members, rooms, or tools. 

1. On the InLoox PM tab, in the Views group, click Resources.

2. The resource overview loads all resources system-wide.

    In Outlook 2003/2007 click Extras in the InLoox PM Toolbar and choose Resources from the list.
   

   

   You can also load resources for a specific project or for the specific planning element. For more information, see Call up and manage resources.

   

3. Please perform one or more of the following actions:
   • Add a resource  To include another resource into the analysis it is necessary to add it. On the Start tab, in the Resources group, click Add Resource. In the Choose Resource dialog box, choose the required names from the list. Then click Select, Ok.
     Use the feature Search by Skill to find select resources according to their skills. For more information, see Add project team members.
     Use this feature to always display resources with whom you work often, regardless of the filter settings.

   • Remove a resource   On the Start tab, in the Resources group, click Remove Resource to delete the selected resource from the view. Use this feature to always hide resources despite of the filter settings.

     Right-click the resource list in the upper left part. Select Display deleted resource(s) to display them again.

   • Define time frames  On the Start tab, in the Current view group, click Select Duration. Choose from the drop-down list between Today, Week, Month and Year.

     All resources that are not occupied during the defined period are hidden. Use the button Add resources to always display resources with whom you work often, regardless of the date settings.

   • Print resources  On the Start tab, in the Current view group, click Print Overview or Load Chart to start the quick print feature of the resources.

       For more information about printing, see General features and printing of the project list, in the Print in the project list section.

   • Refresh  Use the Refresh button to update all changes and reload the view. This button can be found on the Start tab in the Current view group.
   • Enlarge or reduce the resources  On the Start tab, in the Current view group, click Zoom In or Zoom Out to change the zoom level of the view. The available values are: 
     • Years
     • Quarters
     • Months
     • Weeks
     • Days
     • Hours
   • Show exchange calendar  On the Start tab, in the Display group, click Exchange Calendar. This option displays or hides the information of the Free/Busy feature of Microsoft Exchange Server.
     InLoox PM takes account of the Exchange Server calendar information when calculating the workload, if this option is activated.
   • Show workload labels  On the Start tab, in the Display group, click Workload Label. This option displays the work load in percent in the time bars.
   • Show completed activities  On the Start tab, in the Display group, click Completed Activities. All activities with the status "done" will be displayed, if this option is activated.
   Information from the free/busy-feature of Microsoft Exchange Server cannot be opened:
   • at any time for any time period for external resources.
   • in the offline mode for internal resources.

Context menu of the resources

The context menu provides you with almost all basic features that can also be found on the InLoox PM Ribbon, namely Add Resources, Delete Resources, Reset View, Show Exchange Calendar, Show Workload Labels and Show Completed Activities. It also provides features of the workload diagram, like Expand and Collapse All Groups, Show Details. Right-click in the resource list or the workload chart to open the context menu.