Are there Infinite Capabilities in SharePoint?

Definitely, the benefits of using the SharePoint platform are numerous. The Microsoft platform could simplify business processes and lower expenses. Furthermore, it encourages the sharing of information, collaboration, and transparency.

Developers, designers, and users can gain more benefits from using SharePoint. Today, a SharePoint development company is always on the lookout for new innovations to deliver the right solutions to the clientele. SharePoint-based solutions cover an organization’s needs well in terms of communication, content management, and collaboration, making users think that the platform's capabilities are unlimited.

Even though SharePoint has rich customization capabilities and flexibility, it may not always be the best in everything. In other instances, using it may be impractical since other specialized solutions could overshadow it. A SharePoint consultant could provide customers with information on the platform is capabilities and limits.

SharePoint, What It Is and What It Isn’t

It is a web-based collaborative platform for document distribution, storage, and management. Most companies use it primarily for that feature, even though it’s very flexible and could be the de facto intranet for businesses that mainly communicate with their employees via documents.

Does this mean that SharePoint is actually an employee intranet? Sort of. The platform was created to provide a secure place for storing, sharing, organizing, and accessing data. However, it was not built to empower employees how they want.

Before you seek out SharePoint development services, let’s find out first what the platform is good at and where it could leave you hanging.

Definitely, SharePoint is valid for:

Collaboration Empowerment

A group or team could edit the document stored in the platform in real-time, and since it could integrate with Project and Outlook, it could also be used for scheduling.

Content Management

Most of the functionality of the platform has been made around managing information, thus it’s useful in terms of data storage and retrieval, document management and sharing, and collaboration between people and teams, and keeping tabs of the way people use data. It integrates with Office and Windows in a seamless manner and could be a replacement to the office file server.

Management of Information from other platforms

Let’s assume you have a talented team of developers. SharePoint is great in managing things, which include using data from other apps, information resources, and corporate directories, with the Representational State Transfer Service or REST service. Developers could create their own SP add-ins and run them to extend the platform’s capabilities.

File Hosting Offsite

If you are on the lookout for a service that stores your company files in the cloud, then SharePoint is the terrific solution. It combines with other services and servers of Microsoft Office to do exactly that. It could in fact entirely replace services such as Dropbox.

It's not so useful when:

You want a User-Friendly solution

Among the common complaints about the platform is it’s being difficult to comprehend and to navigate. You need to have a specific degree of tech aptitude to get the most of it. It’s not a consumer-friendly technology, even out-of-the-box without modifications.

Meaning that for frontline workers who could not afford a lot of free time to sit and learn new technology, the platform could be tough to learn.

You want an Intranet with a Social Network-Style

A couple of ways of using SharePoint as a social network-style intranet include the API and REST systems, and add-ons purchase. But setting it up? It’s not something you can do yourself in your spare hour. Definitely, you would have to seek the services of a SharePoint developer to do the job.

You’re looking for a Social Network-Style Intranet

SharePoint could be used as a social network-style intranet in several ways, including using the API and the REST systems, and add-ons purchasing.

You need a Solution that Works on Mobiles

SharePoint began as a server application, and thus the move to the cloud was not exactly smooth sailing. SharePoint customization in the cloud could be very costly and with limitations.

You have a Limited Budget

In the short term, SharePoint may not be costly, but in the long run, the ownership cost, including support, training, development, and consulting could end up bigger than what you expect. You may have to collaborate with a SharePoint development company to get it up and running until you meet the communication goals of your organization. 

What SharePoint is Good At

To meet most of the business requirements, SharePoint should be configured or customized, but not to a big extent. Among such instances include the following:

1. Document management systems

SharePoint ensures safe storage, easy creation, quick search, and retrieval of any kind of documents, which include 3D models and rare extension files, like, etc. for instance. Features like collaboration in real-time, automated workflows, and enterprise search help companies boost productivity. The platform may be integrated with enterprise systems, such as ERP and CRM to help maintain business continuity and refrain from document duplication.

2. Knowledge management systems

SP could be used in creating a simple wiki-based knowledge base or a sturdy knowledge management solution with a structure that’s well-defined. It offers an advanced search function, enabling users to find specific content seamlessly to resolve a problem. Enriched with AI, SharePoint could pull out tests from video files and images, making them searchable.

3. Learning management

The platform is great for making, storing, and presenting learning content, which includes images and videos. Furthermore, it offers knowledge assessment mechanisms, such as quizzes, tests, and surveys that help trainee feedback. Since it’s suitable for making bite-sized learning content wherein people could learn from using mobile devices, the platform is popular for micro-training.

4. Intranets

It’s apt to build easy-to-use, effective, and appealing collaboration solutions with productivity and communication tools, news, employee profiles, and other features. Through team sites, the platform provides isolated collaboration spaces for the units of an organization where they could share files, work on projects, schedule meetings, initiate discussions, and so on.

Conclusion

Before you decide to implement a solution on the SharePoint platform, it’s necessary to check out experts in the field for an extensive consultation. SharePoint professionals and experts could analyze your business requirements, budget, infrastructure, and map them to the capabilities of the platform and would let you know if it’s the right choice for you.

Writer note:

Ahana Roy is a Technology Analyst at Tatvasoft Australia - A leading Sharepoint development services in Australia, She has been working alongside SharePoint consultants and years in a Technological domain.Her research through various fields focuses extensively on digital interaction narratives.