About this document

This document describes the changes in Merlin Project 4 versus the previous version for Merlin Project users.

Users of Merlin Project 3 can update to Merlin Project 4 free of charge.

Merlin, Merlin 2, and Merlin Project are three successive versions of the popular project management software for Mac OS X which were released in 2004, 2006, and 2015 respectively.

Synchronization

You and several users can now work on the same project using multiple devices.

File based synchronization

Individual users and small working groups can simply store Merlin Project files on a shared network drive (AFP or SMB) or on a cloud server (iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) and Merlin Project 4 will synchronize all changes automatically.

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Manual change integration

You can also integrate changes into your project which you receive such as by email or on a USB stick. Just use the new command “File - Integrate Changes…​” and select the file version whose changes you want to incorporate.

Working groups with Merlin Server 4

Merlin Server 4 also allows mid-size and large working groups to work in a scalable way. By installing this software, you can turn an OS X computer into a synchronization center in just a few clicks. Users can now publish documents to this server directly from Merlin Project and subscribe to them from there. All changes are synchronized automatically, even over low-bandwidth Internet connections. You can also work on projects whenever you want even without an Internet connection. As soon as you’re back online, all interim changes are synchronized automatically.

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Merlin Server 4 is easy and convenient to use as you never need to manage users separately: Mark a project resource in Merlin Project as a user and this user can then use Merlin Server’s services right away.

Publishing using Merlin Server 4

Merlin Project 3 already allowed you to publish project content automatically via FTP, SMTP, and WebDAV. Merlin Server 4 now lets you do this at regular and specific intervals even when your computer is switched off. To use this function, all you need to do is set up the required FTP, SMTP, or WebDAV accounts in Merlin Server 4 under “Publish > Accounts”. You can then select them in projects which you have subscribed to using Merlin Server via the “Publish” dialog. The days and times at which Merlin Server will automatically publish the content can be configured under the “Publish” tab.

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Merlin Server 4 Web server

Merlin Server 4 includes an integrated Web server which allows users to view project content in their Web browser even if they don’t have a Mac.

Publishing & subscribing to documents in Merlin Project 4

Merlin Project 4 features a new “Sync” icon in the sync toolbar for synchronizing projects via the new Merlin Server service. This lets you create server accounts and view a document’s synchronization status.

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If the icon is blue, you are connected to a Merlin Server. If it is rotating, data is currently being synchronized.

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To publish documents on a server or to subscribe to them again, a new window is available which you can access by going to File > Merlin Server > Documents.

Work Areas

As Merlin Server automatically synchronizes all your changes, other users can also see these immediately. However, there may be situations where you don’t want this to happen, such as when performing a major, lengthy change to the project or experimenting with the project structure. For this purpose, we’ve introduced the new “Work Areas” function to the toolbar.

Private and Public Work Area

There are two work areas which each user can switch between freely.

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In the Public Work Area, changes are synchronized automatically between all users and devices.

In the Private Work Area, a user can make major changes without interruption. The user’s changes remain in this area until they are manually published or discarded. The user’s private changes are, however, available to the particular user on every device (Macs, iPhones, iPads) and are synchronized automatically.

Updated export function

Merlin Project 4 now lets you export more than just one view at a time in virtually all export formats. In the Export dialog, you can choose between the current view or a self-selected list of views.

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If you select PDF as the image format, the views are exported as pages of the same PDF file. If you choose HTML as the export format, an index.html file is generated which includes all selected views. Just like in Merlin Project, you can then switch between the included views in the browser. You can now expand and collapse activity groups in the browser.

Additional changes

  • In the Earned Value Analysis, the budgeted costs of work performed (BCWP) are now added to the groups.

  • When selecting the menu option "File > Duplicate…​" a dialog appears first which allows you to view the document history and create a new document identity.

  • The status of groups in the Inspector is now saved in the document.

  • A new file format has been introduced with the changes in Merlin Project 4: Merlin Project 3 files are integrated automatically into the new file format; Merlin 2 files are imported into a new document.

  • Merlin Project 4 now runs in a sandbox. For further information, see Wikipedia.

Merlin Project Go

We’ve launched a new app “Merlin Project Go” for mobile users. It lets you access all your project’s information and edit it both offline and online via iPhones and iPads. Changes can then be synchronized with other users via the new Merlin Server 4 service. The display of project content has been optimized for mobile use on small screens. For further information, see Merlin Project Go.