Microsoft Project is project management software. It is developed and sold by Microsoft.
Microsoft Project assists project managers to develop plans, assign resources to tasks, track progress, manage budgets, and analyze workloads.
Microsoft Project creates critical path schedules, although a critical chain third-party add-on is available, from ProChain. Schedules allow resources to be leveled. The chain is visualized in a gantt chart.
Resource definitions (people, equipment, and materials) are shared between projects, using a shared resource pool. Each resource has its own calendar. It defines what days, and shifts, a resource is available. Resource rates are used to calculate resource assignment costs. These are combined, and summarized, at the resource level.
Each resource is assigned to multiple tasks, in multiple plans. Each task is assigned multiple resources. Microsoft Project schedules task work based on resource availability. This is defined in the resource calendars. All resources are defined in an enterprise resource pool.
Microsoft Project creates budgets, based on assignment work and resource rates. As resources are assigned to tasks, and assignment work estimated, Microsoft Project calculates the cost. This equals the work, times the rate. This is combined at the task level. This includes any summary tasks and is finally reported at the project level.
Microsoft Project has been extended, with Microsoft Project Server and Microsoft Project Web Access. Project server stores Project data in a central database.
Project Web Access allows users to display, and update, data over the internet. Web Access allows authorized users to access a Project Server database, across the internet. Web Access includes timesheets, graphical analysis of resource workloads, and administrative tools.
Microsoft recognizes different classes of users. These different classes of users have differing access levels to projects, views, and other data.
Custom objects such as Calendars, views, tables, filters and fields are stored in an enterprise global. It is shared by all users.
Third party viewers exist (Microsoft doesn't make their own viewer), including Afinion (http://www.afinion.com), Steelray (http://www.steelray.com) and others.
Microsoft Project shares problems with other project management software.
For a free, open source industrial strength replacement, see http://www.openworkbench.org.
Keygen.
A keygen (truncation of "key generator") is a small program used to generate a key, or serial/registration number, for software. It is typically used as an adjunct to software piracy.
The advantage of using a keygen (as opposed to just finding a serial # on the web) is the generated key is unique. It is generated on the spot, using the same methods as the software vendor. It is not traceable, or in use, by the legitimate owner.
These are usually written by cryptology enthusiasts.