Altus for Project

Microsoft Project was released in 1984 and has since evolved into a powerful tool for planning, executing, and tracking projects of varying sizes and complexities. Over the years, Microsoft Project has maintained its relevance as an indispensable tool for project managers seeking advanced, high maturity scheduling capabilities. Altus recognises the high levels of scheduling expertise that many of our customers already have with this application and wish to empower them to use the right tool for the job - which in many cases continues to be Microsoft Project.

What is it?

Altus for Project is an Add-in for Microsoft Project that exposes additional functionality directly inside Microsoft Project that allows you to manage your tasks in Altus using Microsoft Project.

Altus for Microsoft Project toolbar example

Technical information

The Altus for Project functionality is delivered by installing a component on the end-user's computer.

Attribute	Description
Download link	Altus for Project (General Availability Release) - RECOMMENDED
Component type	COM Component Office Add-in
Platforms Supported	Windows 11, Windows 10 - Latest version
Architecture Supported	x64 (Intel/AMD)
Local administrative rights required for installation	Yes
Encryption	Yes, data encrypted in transit
Authentication	Microsoft Entra ID single sign-on
Number of tasks per project	Supported Limit 1000
Microsoft Project Versions Supported	Microsoft Project licensed via the P3/P5 license - see below

Project version	Support Status	Lifecycle End Date
Project Online Desktop Client	Supported	♾️
Project 2021 Professional	Supported	13 Oct 2026
Project 2021 Standard	Supported*	13 Oct 2026
Project 2021 (LTSC) Professional	Possible	13 Oct 2026
Project 2021 (LTSC) Standard	Possible*	13 Oct 2026
Project 2019 Professional	Supported	14 Oct 2025
Project 2019 Standard	Supported*	14 Oct 2025
Project 2016 Professional	Possible	14 Oct 2025
Project 2016 Standard	Possible*	14 Oct 2025
Project 2013 Professional	Unsupported	11 Apr 2023
Project 2013 Standard	Unsupported	11 Apr 2023

Warning

* = Versions of Microsoft Project other than the Online Desktop Client may work but with limited functionality. For example: The Task Board and Sprint values will only publish if the user has a Professional or Online (P3/P5) license.

Note

If the support status is "Possible" then the product is untested and may have issues or not work at all. We will update when more information is available.

Security

This screen displays the connection section of the Project

Communications:

The Altus for Project Add-in authenticates and connects to the Microsoft Power Platform Environment (Dataverse) to synchronise Project related information with Project Desktop. This is done via Entra ID authentication interactively and securely using with the end-user's credentials to the target environment.
All communications are encrypted in transit authenticated by Entra ID and authorised by the user's set security role in the Dataverse.

Locally persisted information:

MPP files on local drives
Altus.ConnectionStrings.json in the user profile that stores the details for recently connected environments (no usernames/passwords)

Telemetry:

Anonymous feature information is collected via Azure Application Insights Telemetry. No customer project information or personally identifiable information is collected.

Binaries:

The MSI executable is signed with a code signing certificate to ensure that the software came from Altus and has not been altered in-transit.
The MSI deploys a .NET assembly which is added to the Global Assembly Cache. During the process a native image is pre-compiled (NGEN) for the local platform of the computer. The resulting binary incorporates Address Space Layout Randomisation (ASLR) and Data Execution Protection (DEP) technologies.
An auto-update mechanism provides updates / patches to end users, although if they do not have permission to install then these will need to be installed via a corporate deployment mechanism.

Architecture