Microsoft SharePoint offers a wide range of possibilities. SharePoint was initially introduced as an on-premises software in 2001. Since then, SharePoint has evolved to be a multi-faceted product. SharePoint Online is part of Office 365 and can be used locally (as SharePoint Server). SharePoint is best known for its intranet functionality, which allows companies to create websites that are tailored for content and project management. It also has many other capabilities that make it a central collaboration tool within the Microsoft ecosystem. Let’s take a look at some of the features you can use to improve your organization’s workflows.
SharePoint as a file server for Office Online
Office Online is the web-accessible lightweight version of the Office apps Word Excel PowerPoint and OneNote. It is free to use but can also be purchased as part of an Office 365 subscription. SharePoint plays a crucial role in this setup, also known as Office Web Apps Server. It acts as a file host and interacts with Office Web Apps Server. Multiple SharePoint instances can be connected with Office Web Apps Server to offer a seamless web-like experience for Office Online users.
SharePoint Online and Office 365 Groups
SharePoint’s defining feature is the team site. They are shared areas where team members can share information and work simultaneously on projects. A corresponding Office 365 Group automatically creates when a SharePoint Online team site is created. A team site is also created when an Office 365 Group in Outlook or People is created. Once a team site has been created, contributors can add pages, lists, and libraries to it. The connection to Office 365 Groups means that there is no need to create a separate SharePoint group, email distribution list, or to manage collaborative processes.
SharePoint Communication Sites
“Communication sites can be more sophisticated than team sites.”
Microsoft introduced communication websites at its 2017 Virtual Summit. These are more advanced versions of team sites and are intended to have a wider reach throughout the organization. Microsoft has branded this new category of pages “dynamic” pages that are optimized for both the web and desktop versions of the SharePoint app. The communication sites can be integrated with other Office 365 sites. They can pull in reports from Power BI and videos from Microsoft Steam, or even join discussions on Yammer. Site creators can choose from a variety of readymade templates, including a Showcase to showcase a specific product/service and a Topic format to share news and event updates.
New Horizons Computer Learning Centers will help you improve your SharePoint skills
SharePoint is a complex platform that has many well-known features and some less well-known ones. By completing courses and certification tracks at a New Horizons location near you, you can dive into the details of SharePoint as well as those of the Office 365 suite (e.g. advanced Excel training) For more information, take a look at our complete listings. Also, make sure to visit our webinars page for career development tips in areas such as effective job searching strategies and organizational leadership.
More than an Intranet! SharePoint can help you rebuild your collaboration processes
