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SharePoint intranet and websites

Piotr Lewandowski , 7 May 2019

applications

SharePoint is a powerful system enabling cooperation and data exchange. A long time before the cloud computing era, corporations and smaller companies used SharePoint to access company data in applications and websites.

Presentation of content in the form of websites accessible from a browser is a solution known to anyone who works with a computer even occasionally. However, SharePoint's versatility is primarily based on the possibility of complex cooperation and integration with other Microsoft products and external services. Thanks to the integration with various data sources, this system is used to manage various projects and company processes. The development of cloud computing has led to the evolution of the platform and a chance to use SharePoint Online.

Who uses SharePoint?

SharePoint is a tool for every company and organization which likes the idea of team collaboration, unlimited by time and place. According to data presented by AIIM (Association for Information and Image Management), one out of two organizations from Fortune 500 is now using SharePoint. This tool is known mostly by employees who are responsible for collaboration and the flow of information in organizations. Microsoft provides a server version for local use also known as SharePoint Server, as well as a cloud-based application tied to Office 365. This offer is especially interesting for smaller companies and startups whose teams consist of at least several members.

Company websites

The most interesting large-scale use of SharePoint can be observed by browsing websites of organizations on the prestigious Fortune 500 list. It’s the best example of using SharePoint technology to build a brand’s image by distributing content on public websites. This shows the wide possibilities of adaptation of this tool in companies and the level of personalization it allows to achieve. When managing a site using this platform, it is possible to define the level of access for different users. In this way, anonymous Internet users can visit a publicly accessible website promoting the company, while employees and partners can log in to organizational resources intended only for authorized users.

Company intranet

A company website or application, available only for employees or particular teams is one of the safest ways to share company resources. In this way, employees involved in a given process present their work results in real-time and use elements provided by their colleagues. Intranet sites created using SharePoint Online are modern and safe applications as well as websites available on every device. Thanks to this technology, every employee receives a mobile and always working platform. Organizations appreciate this proven solution because of the significant increase in the involvement of their workers in performing tasks and improving skills through online corporate training.

The management of documents and access to company data

The increase of work efficiency achieved thanks to automating the flow of information and its archiving offered by SharePoint cannot be ignored. This platform enables processing practically any type of data and provides information needed by users. In this way, everyone has permanent access to current resources, which are necessary to make the right decisions and perform assigned tasks. By the use of customized dashboards, much more than currently developed digital Microsoft Office documents, archived versions of paper documents or photos can be distributed. Using a properly configurated Intranet, advanced users can view and edit data from processes such as:

  • orders management
  • customer support and task management
  • tracking of packages and shipments
  • a number of Intranet pages

SharePoint application expansion and customization capabilities are not limited to those mentioned above. As the examples of the pages above show, the range of solutions created is driven by the needs and maturity of the organization.

SharePoint isn’t a new concept. This solution is evolving with digital technology and general industry growth trends. Clients who prefer their own infrastructure in the form of servers have the option to download and update software for local use. Companies preferring serverless computing or intending to use from its benefits get access on a subscription basis to the online service. Such a model makes services widely available to startups and businessmen.