Your Microsoft Project Online Transition Starts Now

A: A comprehensive library of resources is available to help you navigate the transition from Microsoft Project Online to a more capable PPM solution:

• Webinar: Project Online Retiring—Why Planisware is Your Next-Gen AI PPM Tool – Watch a full demonstration of how Planisware addresses Project Online's limitations with AI-powered features
• Microsoft Project-Planisware Enterprise Data Integration – Learn how the MSP Connector enables seamless data import from Microsoft Project files with zero data loss
• Transitioning a Microsoft PPM Solution into Planisware Enterprise – A case study documenting the migration journey for a leading Aerospace & Defense company
• How to Choose the Perfect Project and Portfolio Management Tool in 5 Steps – A comprehensive buyer's guide for evaluating PPM software
• Planisware vs Planview Comparison – Understand how leading PPM platforms compare
• What Is Enterprise Project Portfolio Management (EPPM)? – Learn about enterprise-scale PPM capabilities
• Planisware Enterprise Product Overview – Explore Planisware's flagship enterprise platform
• Request a Personalized Demo – See how Planisware can replace Project Online with a tailored demonstration

A: Microsoft has officially announced that Project Online will retire in September 2026—less than one year away. 

After this date, your data, workflows, and project schedules will no longer be accessible through the platform.

Your Two Primary Migration Paths:

1. Migrate to Microsoft Planner Premium (formerly Project for the Web)

• Microsoft's official replacement within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem
• Lightweight solution focused on basic task and project management
• Suitable for organizations prioritizing platform consolidation over advanced PPM capabilities

2. Transition to an Enterprise PPM Platform

• Solutions like Planisware offer significantly more advanced capabilities
• Support for structured portfolios, strategic alignment, resource optimization, and AI-powered planning
• Ideal for organizations seeking to transform—not just replace—their project management capabilities

Why Organizations Are Choosing Option 2:

The Project Online retirement represents an opportunity to modernize project and portfolio management practices. Rather than simply migrating to a limited successor, forward-thinking organizations are seizing this moment to implement enterprise-grade PPM platforms that support:

• Unlimited projects, resources, and task hierarchies (no artificial constraints)
• Advanced resource capacity planning and workload balancing
• Strategic portfolio management with what-if scenario modeling
• AI-powered forecasting, risk prediction, and intelligent scheduling
• Comprehensive integrations beyond the Microsoft ecosystem

Action Required:

Organizations should begin their evaluation and planning as soon as possible to be ready for the September 2026 deadline. Thanks to Planisware quick migration guidelines and practices, a migration takes 4 to 8 weeks.

Q: How does Planisware compare to Microsoft Planner Premium as a Project Online replacement?

A: While Microsoft Planner Premium serves as Microsoft's lightweight successor to Project Online, Planisware Enterprise delivers significantly more robust capabilities for organizations with structured portfolio management needs:

Planner Premium is ideal if:

• You need basic task management within the M365 ecosystem

• Your portfolio contains fewer than 50 projects

• You don't require advanced resource optimization or strategic portfolio planning

Planisware is ideal if:

• You manage structured, multi-portfolio enterprise-wide with hundreds to thousands of projects

• You need strategic alignment, scenario planning, and financial governance

• Your organization requires AI-powered forecasting, risk prediction, and resource optimization

• You want a single, unified platform rather than stitching together multiple Microsoft tools

Learn more: Planisware vs Work Management Solutions Comparison

A: Planisware makes the migration process straightforward through its dedicated MSP Connector, which enables seamless data import with zero data loss.

Migration Process Overview:

Step 1: Quick Data Import (Minutes)

• Drag-and-drop your Microsoft Project XML files directly into Planisware

• All tasks, resources, calendars, dependencies, and custom fields transfer intact

• Automated validation ensures data integrity throughout the process

Step 2: Easy Customization (Hours to Days)

• Configure Planisware to match your existing workflows and terminology

• Set up custom fields, project templates, and approval workflows

• Map Microsoft Project fields to Planisware attributes for seamless continuity

Step 3: Smooth Onboarding and Support (Weeks)

• Dedicated training tailored to different user profiles (executives, PMOs, project managers, contributors)

• Planisware Engage module provides on-demand, role-based training resources

• Customer Success Managers guide your team through adoption and best practices

MSP Connector Capabilities:

Migration Timeline Expectations:

• Mid-market organizations: c.4 weeks (including configuration, migration, training)

• Enterprise organizations: usually c.4 months (including discovery, custom integrations, phased rollout)

Learn more: How Ford TI Went from Thousands of Excel Files to One Source of Truth

A: Yes. Planisware is purpose-built for enterprise scale and is trusted by global Fortune 500 organizations to manage some of the world's largest project portfolios.

Proven Enterprise Scale:

• Over a third of the world's 100 largest R&D portfolios are managed with Planisware

• Supports thousands of concurrent users and tens of thousands of active projects without artificial limits

• Powers portfolios for industry leaders including Ford, Airbus, Bristol Myers Squibb, Philips, and Société Générale

Scalability Advantages Over Microsoft Planner Premium:

• Multi-portfolio support: Manage separate portfolios (IT, R&D, Infrastructure) with independent governance while maintaining enterprise-wide visibility

• Performance optimization: Purpose-built database architecture ensures fast query performance even with millions of tasks

• Global deployment: Supports multinational organizations with region-specific instances and data sovereignty compliance

• Phased scaling: Start with one business unit and expand enterprise-wide without re-platforming

Real-World Enterprise Examples:

• Schwarz Group (one of Europe's largest retailers) unified previously siloed divisions onto Planisware, enabling cross-functional collaboration across thousands of users

• UCB scaled from 15 users to over 6,000 users managing 9,000 projects, achieving improved data quality and decision-making

• ABB manages projects across 2,500 users globally with Planisware

Unlike Microsoft Planner Premium—which requires organizations to "graduate" to more advanced tools as they scale—Planisware grows with you, adding governance, financials, roadmaps, and analytics without platform migration.

Learn more: What Is Enterprise Project Portfolio Management (EPPM)?

A: While Microsoft Planner Premium appears cost-effective as part of the M365 bundle, organizations quickly discover hidden costs that make the total cost of ownership (TCO) significantly higher than expected. Planisware offers transparent, all-inclusive pricing that often proves more cost-effective for enterprise use cases.

Hidden Costs of Microsoft Planner Premium:

Microsoft Stack:

• Planner Premium licenses

• Power BI Premium capacity

• Copilot for M365 (AI features)

• Power Automate Premium (advanced workflows)

• Project Operations (financial management)

• Premier Support

• Third-party consulting for integrations

• Total estimated TCO: Can exceed dedicated PPM platform costs by 30-50% when all add-ons factored

Planisware:

• All-inclusive subscription with transparent pricing

• Comprehensive features out-of-the-box

• Dedicated Customer Success Manager

• Implementation and configuration support

• Ongoing training through Planisware Engage

• Total estimated TCO: Predictable, with no surprise add-on costs

Value Drivers Beyond Cost:

• Faster time-to-value: Planisware deploys faster than assembling a multi-tool Microsoft stack

• Single vendor accountability: One partner for all PPM needs vs. coordinating multiple Microsoft products

• Purpose-built for PPM: Optimized workflows vs. adapting general-purpose M365 tools

• No artificial limits: Unlimited projects, tasks, and users as your organization grows

Learn more: Planisware Horizon for IT (TCO Tracking)

A: Transitioning from Project Online requires a structured evaluation approach. Here's your step-by-step roadmap:

Step 1: Assess Your Requirements (1-2 Weeks)

Before scheduling demos, document your organization's current challenges and future needs:

• What are Project Online's limitations causing the most pain? (e.g., artificial limits, lack of portfolio visibility, limited resource management)

• What additional capabilities would transform your PMO? (e.g., AI forecasting, scenario planning, financial governance)

• What systems must integrate with your new platform? (ERP, CRM, Jira, ITSM)

• What is your scale? (number of projects, users, portfolios)

Step 2: Watch the On-Demand Webinar (1 Hour)

View the comprehensive demonstration showing:

• How to import Microsoft Project data with zero data loss

• Oscar AI assistant in action

• Portfolio dashboards and strategic planning capabilities

• Microsoft Teams integration for collaboration

• Watch: Project Online Retiring—Why Planisware is Your Next-Gen AI PPM Tool

Step 3: Request a Personalized Demo (1-2 Weeks)

Schedule a live demonstration tailored to your specific use cases:

• Bring your actual Microsoft Project files to test the MSP Connector

• See how Planisware addresses your documented pain points

• Ask questions about implementation timelines, integrations, and pricing

• Request Your Demo

Step 4: Pilot with Real Data (4-8 Weeks)

Many organizations conduct proof-of-concept engagements:

• Migrate a subset of projects to validate the process

• Test integrations with critical systems (ERP, Jira, MS Teams)

• Involve end users to assess usability and adoption likelihood

• Measure performance against your success criteria

Step 5: Review Customer References

Learn from organizations that successfully transitioned from Microsoft solutions:

• Aerospace & Defense Company Microsoft PPM Migration Case Study

• Ford Motor Company: From Thousands of Excel Files to One Source of Truth

• Browse All Customer Success Stories

Step 6: Plan Your Migration (2-4 Weeks)

Once you've selected Planisware, work with your Customer Success Manager to:

• Define phased rollout strategy (department-by-department recommended)

• Schedule data migration batches using the MSP Connector

• Plan role-specific training sessions

• Establish success metrics and governance model

Critical Timeline Note:

With Project Online retiring in September 2026, organizations should begin their evaluation now. Enterprise implementations typically require 4-9 months, meaning decisions made today will determine your readiness for the retirement deadline.

Ready to Begin?

• Download the Complete Buyer's Guide – Get the full 5-step PPM selection framework

• Request a Personalized Demo – See Planisware in action with your data

• Explore Planisware Solutions – Compare Orchestra (mid-market) and Enterprise (large organizations)