Synchronization 
Synchronization
Use
Synchronization is the term used to describe the comparison of versions of a project that exist in both Microsoft Project and the R/3 Project System. After OpenPS has compared the two versions, you can update either Microsoft Project or the Project System.
Features
When you transfer a project from or to Microsoft Project, OpenPS automatically looks to see whether there is a link between the two projects. The first time you transfer a project in OpenPS it enters the details in the Properties (File
® Properties) on the Custom tab page. When you transfer a project to or from Microsoft Project, OpenPS checks these fields. If the current project is linked to the project you entered in the Project definition field of the Configuration Parameters dialog box, OpenPS automatically synchronizes the two projects. Otherwise it creates a new project.You can see whether OpenPS is synchronizing two projects or creating a new project on the next screen. If it is synchronizing the following message appears in the top right corner of the dialog box: Synchronize active MS project with PS project or Synchronize PS project with active MS project, depending on which way you are transferring. You then continue as in creating a project ( (see
Creating a MS Project from an R/3 Project or Creating a R/3 Project from a Microsoft Project).OpenPS checks whether it is possible to synchronize the two projects and prepares the necessary actions.
If the checks run without any errors, the 
button appears at the bottom of the dialog box. You can examine the log and then accept or reject the results of the synchronization.
Synchronization is always in one direction only. This means that if you have made changes to both the R/3 and the MSP version of a project, it is not possible to synchronize both versions at the same time.
Copying from Microsoft Project to the R/3 Project System
As in creating a new project, this is the more complex direction. If you have made changes to your project in Microsoft Project, OpenPS checks the hierarchy. If you have made any changes to the hierarchy, OpenPS deletes the existing hierarchy in PS and creates a new one. In this case it also deletes the existing network and creates a new one with the correct assignments of activities to WBS elements. If you cannot delete the project hierarchy in PS, for instance due to the status, Open PS issues an error message. It is not possible to update such a project using Open PS.
If you have not installed Note 170121 in your R/3 system, in certain circumstances you can destroy the project hierarchy. It is therefore essential that you install this note and related notes before working with Open PS for Microsoft Project.
If you have only changed tasks, OpenPS only corrects the activities in the network.
Copying from the R/3 Project System to Microsoft Project
When you copy a project from PS to Microsoft Project, OpenPS first creates a new project to which it copies the relevant object from the PS project. It uses the same names for the objects (summary tasks, tasks etc.) as in the existing MSP project. However this is not a problem as objects with the same name can exist in different projects in Microsoft Project. You can then save the project under the existing name or a new name. If you then try to transfer this new project to the existing PS project, OpenPS still goes to Synchronize mode.