Launched by Microsoft in 2001, the SharePoint platform has become a “jack of all trades” type of platform that includes a wide range of business functions that can transform an antiquated business into a model of collaboration, speed and efficiency.
So what is SharePoint all about? It’s fundamentally an enterprise content management system built to enhance business collaboration, one that encourages a more streamlined way of sharing information and getting tasks done efficiently. It combines enterprise-level social networking with document management, workflow management, cloud storage, enterprise search, and Business Intelligence, all working together harmoniously.
All of these features can give a company a distinct competitive advantage as they are able to develop well-informed products or services, collaborate and share informatio on the go and can operate nimbly to adapt to changing market conditions. And SharePoint is eminently customizable with a host of different features and an integrated app store, so it can be tailored to fit your specific business needs.
Benefits of Microsoft SharePoint include:
1. Content management. SharePoint offers cloud-based access to documents, with check-in and check-out notifications. Users can have access to needed files whether they are on mobile devices or their desktop. Productivity can be greatly improved when staff members can grab the right information in a timely manner.
2. Real-time editing. Working with multiple authors is simple with SharePoint. Users can see which paragraphs others are working on, and turn on versioning to establish a return point in case new edits are not accepted or wanted. An approval tag can also be implemented, so a document cannot be shared until approval is designated.
3. Create custom workflows. SharePoint allows users and managers to create workflows that designate the path of certain processes and/or documents. For example, something as common as requesting office supplies can be streamlined with a SharePoint workflow.
4. Find what you need easily. Powerful search functions allow users to search through vast amounts of company data to find the document or data that is vital for their job. Better search means less time wasted asking others for documents, and more time working.
5. Get social. The core case for SharePoint is to improve collaboration both among employees and outside groups. Every SharePoint users has customized information about them, including links to social networking sites and data about the individual user. “Community Sites” can be setup to encourage groups of staff members to discuss certain company topics or problems – encouraging group thinking and collaboration.
6. Scalability & apps integration. SharePoint’s cloud based infrastructure easily allows administrators to add or remove features. Its app store, connects users to a variety of applications such as Yammer for chat, e-signature applications, and enhanced extranet searches.
7. It’s easy to use. Any large-scale platform absolutely has to be simple to operate, otherwise adoption will suffer. SharePoint is continually refined with user friendliness in mind. Tasks are streamlined, the UI is adjusted for clarity, and user feedback is reviewed to make refinements.
With the launch of SharePoint 2013, Microsoft has distribution of the platform tied with the Office 356 suite, which means important updates occur automatically. Users or IT professionals no longer need to perform manual updates, and can be assured they stay up to date on the latest security or performance issues.
The benefits of Microsoft SharePoint outlined above make it suitable for a wide variety of office environments no matter what the size, but is especially powerful for larger companies that have to manage a large volume of documentation and have many remote or “in-the-field” workers.
As a Microsoft partner, TechBlocks is well versed in the SharePoint platform and has helped many businesses to deploy, integrate and customize it’s features so they can realize it’s full potential. If you have a SharePoint project coming up, contact the IT strategy and integration experts at TechBlocks today.
