Sharepoint 2016

Sharepoint 2016: What Can We Look Forward To?

July 19, 2015Adam ChevelleSharepoint Sydney

Finally, Microsoft Ignite 2015 took place. Being the largest, most comprehensive and  popular technology event the world over today, it also included a lot of other domestic technical events. SharePoint 2016 was among the key things that dominated the day at the event.

During the event, Microsoft uncovered interesting information about Sharepoint 2016 through Bill Baer, who apparently heads Sharepoint at Microsoft. The event offered an opportunity for many to learn more about this version of the product, including what to expect, latest changes and improvements, release date, amongst many other details.

An analysis of Baer’s presentation together with other information that was shared about SharePoint revealed a lot. Take a look.

Cloud improvements

Currently, Office 365 and SharePoint  Online run Sharepoint 2013, of course at worldwide sort of scale. Both are able to develop new features, uncover and fix issues, test bug fixes while running the software in production for a countless number of customers. Interestingly, what emerges out of these later is a combination of both of them together with the premium cloud Add-on. It’s simply a merger of the former on-premises product version and a somewhat cloud-specialised edition of the same.

However, according to Baer, before Microsoft engaged in the development of this new version, they examined the cloud service together with all the aforementioned features combined. What emerged formed the starting point for additional improvements on the on-premises product.

Much of the focus has been dedicated to SharePoint’s files, Sites, Content management and portal components.

Among the new experiences Microsoft has added to SharePoint’s cloud service, includes the About me next generation portal which makes use of the  Microsoft’s Delve tool and Office Graph.

Baer added that such new changes are meant to be additive to the software and he even went further to state that Microsoft still plans to bring in a number of them into the next release.

Deployment and patch enhancements

Unlike before where we had stand-alone deployments, for this new version, all deployments will be farms that boast of multiple servers.

In addition, patching as well as updating has been enhanced. The two MSIs per SharePoint  core service, as well as the one language pack services, can easily be updated while doing production without one being inconvenienced in any way.

Authentication and authorization

Both aspects have been well factored out in SharePoint 2016 version since we are moving into an increasingly cloud-based world.

The current version has notably moved away from windows identities towards claims based authentication, OAuto and WS-Federation and authentication using SAML.

Furthermore, the Azure active Directory has been, for instance, trusted by default.

Also not forgetting to mention the new search service that is able to index both on-premise content with this new version as well as Office 365. Once the indexes have been combined, users will be able to search a single time and then have results matching their search query availed from both locations.

Migrations

Migrating from SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint 2016

If you’ve already migrated to SharePoint 2013, it will be much easier for you to upgrade to the latest version. You’ll simply attach your SharePoint 2013 database to the latest version.

In case you have sites on SharePoint 2013 that still use the SharePoint 2010 experience, you’ll have to move them into the 2013 user experience first before attaching the database

Migrating from Sharepoint 2007;2010 to 2016

Currently, most organisations still use Sharepoint 2010. So in case one needs an upgrade to the latest version, the process will be quite difficult. For Sharepoint 2010, you’ll have to physically migrate it to Sharepoint 2016. Same applies to SharePoint 2007.

Overall, if all the aforementioned end up being a reality, then the version will be worthy of the cost one will pay for the upgrade. We can all expect to benefit greatly from this product.

The bottom line

After Microsoft’s Ignite 2015, we all had the opportunity to look forward to one of the best tools ever developed by the Company. SharePoint 2016 is set for release early next year and maybe it might end as the platform you’ll experience through to 2020.

future social media for business

Future Social Media – Which of It is Useful for Business?

June 13, 2015Adam ChevelleBusiness advice, Online marketing, Sharepoint Sydney

Few years ago, when social media was unveiled, no one ever thought it could grow to what we see today. As we speak, the relevance of social media can never be disputed. It has evolved into something truly useful and of great significance to the world.

Social media and business is now viewed in a new light. New and exciting aspects, including more meaningful content, marketing campaigns, and business networking have amplified the significance of existing social media.

All business thus ought to stay updated with advances in social media. It might sound awkward hearing about a business that still directs all its business campaigns and other aspects through Myspace. Of course you don’t expect them to be on top of their game. However, the existing social media still remains a vital aspect for every business. Here how.

Facebook

Facebook is a social media that allows people to interact, share and create content via online communities. Most businesses are starting to realize the potential of the platform in building relationships with customers.

Being a popular way for people to stay in touch, many businesses especially service providers, have used it to develop and nurture good relationships with their customers.

Apparently, both advertisers and marketers double up as ardent fans of Facebook since they are able to reach audiences, change customer needs and understand trends.

It’s enabled them to reach a far wider audience frequently with content tailored to their needs and interests. Overall, it acts as an extension of the business.

Twitter

Is twitter part of your business? Well, with all the latest twitter updates, trends, and real-time marketing, you’ll wouldn’t want to miss out on all the fresh things it has to offer.

Twitter allows you to tell your business story to its community, more specifically those that you follow as well as those who follow you.

You can also integrate twitter into your online business presence by adding it to the information on your site and blog as well share the timeline on your site in order to tell your business story.

Instagram

Instagram offers a great platform to share your brand’s superior point of view. Since most Instagrammers are so passionate about the platform, not hesitating to express their love for breathtaking imagery, you’ll definitely reach an audience that’s open to new perspectives.

Apart from photography, travel and hotel businesses, any business that’s ready to share captivating visuals in a move to share their business story will find the platform really creative and inspiring.

Pinterest

Pinterest doubles up as a brilliant place where businesses can discover great ideas for all their projects and interests.

It’s quite similar to Instagram, with most pinners having already expressed their love for boards that are inspiring, catchy, with beautiful images.
By creating boards for places, ideas, moods and people behind your brand, you can draw people into your business.

Sharepoint

SharePoint social features have made it thrive especially when it comes to networking. With applications such as microblogging, email, instant messaging and social networking(community sites), it only makes sense that every business possess it as a compulsory tool. All the platforms can be used for business scenarios as well as other functions.

LinkedIn

With LinkedIn, you can attract talent, recruit potential candidates, tell your business story, network, as well as get quality leads.
Any business looking forward to add credibility and authenticity to their business ought to turn to LinkedIn.

The future of social media

When it comes to future social media, new developments in social media seem to be stopping at nothing. New platforms set to shake the social media universe are in the works. Here’s an overview of the few you can expect.

Ello

It’s been lauded by many as the next Facebook. Although not fully complete yet, it’s already flowing with countless requests. In fact, the requests have been so overwhelming that they had to temporary shut down the invite system.

Ello can be likened to a private members club. It’s so exclusive. The big hype around it basically justifies its relevance. Business people definitely find it as an ideal hangout platform where they can share and network as well.

Edgee

Edgee can be classified as a ticking bomb yet to rummage through social media and business and bring everything to a standstill. Maier, the owner of Edgee, believes it will reach out to a wide and potential audience in a style that elevates substance over show.

Businesses can air out their expertise and attract attention using their unique insights. Any business, small to big, will actually find it as genuine and organic when it comes nurturing trust and understanding with their potential clients.

Others that have been rumored to be the next big thing include:

Procurious – a platform that targets professionals in procurement and supply division.

Tagstr – a platform that focuses entirely on sharing and capturing experience via #tags.

Bottom line

Business excellence is normally driven by great strategy and social media in business is no exception. Taking note of the new future social media as well as capitalizing on the present ones will definitely develop and boost business performance.

sharepoint news

Sharepoint News May-June 2015

June 6, 2015Adam ChevelleBrand development, Business advice, Sharepoint Sydney

For many enterprises and organizations, SharePoint has evolved into a necessary tool. It’s currently being used as a source for not only corporate data but procedures, intellectual property, and a host of other vital functions. Today, we’ll SharePoint news and examine what’s taking place and is of great importance to all SharePoint users.

SharePoint 2016

Microsoft seems to be on a constant trail of keeping pace with technological advancements. From the release in 2003, through to 2007 and thereafter 2010, SharePoint has continued to evolve.

As we speak, another new version of SharePoint is slated for 2016. On the summer of 2015, there’ll be a preview version of the said SharePoint. The Release of SharePoint 2016 has been slated for the second quarter of 2016.

Microsoft has stated that both versions( online version and on-premise) will continue to undergo changes and new developments even as the latest version is due to be unveiled.

SharePoint still lives on in Office 365. It acts as the powerhouse for the product. But despite the covert actions by Microsoft about another version of SharePoint, currently, things seem to have taken a different direction and as we speak, on-premise SharePoint is back and better than before.

What to expect

The future of SharePoint is quite clear. Much emphasis has been put on two aspects: on premise and in the cloud.

Microsoft has invested a lot on SharePoint in the cloud, something that’s been greeted with mixed reactions some wondering whether it’s the only option on SharePoint that’s been considered by Microsoft moving forward.

However, that might not necessarily be the case. During the Microsoft’s Ignite conference held in Chicago, it came out pretty clear that a lot was invested deeply in coming up with a hybrid so that many might have a plenty of options to choose from.

SharePoint seems focused on management, experiences and extensibility not only across office 365, but with server as well. Key features to expect include

• Expanded OneDrive
• Social- integration across Office 365 through Yammer
• Power Bi, which is basically an integrated analytical platform.
• Expanded management layer
• Office 365 APIs, which provides much deeper levels of extensibility and integration for SharePoint.
• Office Delve, an enhanced search application.
• NextGen Portals, a portal built to provide a great platform for mobile users.

In addition, here’s another event that’s due just soon, aiming at discussing a lot more about SharePoint.

SharePoint Fest

SharePoint Fest is basically a two-day training conference that boasts well over 70 sessions cutting across multiple tracks that tend to bring together enthusiasts and SharePoint practitioners. It’s usually attended by leading SharePoint experts, as well as solution providers.

The two-day event, beginning 18th August 2015, will take place in Seattle, Washington.

Among the things to expect during this conference include discussions about the evolution of SharePoint brought about by cloud, amongst many other SharePoint aspects.

Keynote speakers to expect include Microsoft’s Bill Baer and Michelle Caldwell, who is the Microsoft SharePoint MVP.

To learn more about SharePoint, don’t miss out on this great event.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is also unveiling new OneDrive specifically for business features. This is in a bid for enterprise cloud file sharing turf, while at the same time leaving more structured collaboration for SharePoint.

Overall, there has been a slew of developments taking place in regard to SharePoint and apart from the few SharePoint news we’ve shined a spotlight on, a lot more seems to be in progress. We can only wait with bated breath as we anticipate a host of changes designed to help individuals, teams, and business work more effectively with the tool.

Best-uses-of-SharePoin

Best Uses of SharePoint

May 29, 2015Lou LapsoSharepoint Sydney

SharePoint is a strong platform for addressing different business requirements. Its implementations can be customized to fit any aspect of the business. SharePoint is a powerful tool that provides an out-of-the box solution for common business needs. Here are the best uses of SharePoint for business:

Document Management
SharePoint gives businesses a central location to store documents. Anyone in the organisation can access documents stored in SharePoint. You no longer have to go to different offices or wait for emails to get the files you need. SharePoint allows you and your coworkers to work and edit a single document simultaneously. Documents are also available for mobile employees and can be accessed using smart devices.

Collaboration
SharePoint is the best collaboration portal. It is designed to make group interaction in a single location. Access SharePoint from any desktop or mobile device and coordinate information on project statuses, coworkers schedule or anything related to projects. A dedicated page can be created for this purpose that may contain documents, bulletin board, surveys, links to resources, calendar and presentations. This is the perfect place to communicate with teams, coworkers and business partners on any project.

Solving Business Problems (Workflow)
SharePoint provides platform to build custom business solutions and business processes with workflow based solutions. It empowers non-technical users to fix efficiency problems. SharePoint allows employees to know about issues and solve them without involving IT. Workflow through SharePoint speeds up processes, remove unnecessary steps, minimize errors, provide better documentation and improve communication.

Intranet
SharePoint is an internally facing site that everyone in the organisation can use find news, documents, scheduled tasks, announcements and other information. This serves as a meeting room that everyone in the company can attend during workdays. Employees can give input via suggestion box, surveys and polls. Dashboards can be customized by departments so they can get information they need anytime.

Business Intelligence
SharePoint provides comprehensive access to business data and information that helps businesses to make better decisions. Business intelligence centre in SharePoint enables organisations to store and manage data connections reports and dashboards centrally. It enhances self-service business intelligence, analyst can now customize, design and maintain their business intelligence without the IT intervention.

Websites
SharePoint can be used to build and manage a public facing website. As content management system site, SharePoint allows users to make changes to pages and update information, create new pages and add text or graphics.

Extranet
SharePoint can also be used to set up secure site with external users for easy collaboration. Extranet solutions extend the functionality of office intranet to customers, suppliers and partners. SharePoint’s rich feature makes collaborating with customers and business partners via the extranet natural. Improved communication through extranet can increase efficiency for both parties.

Accessibility
SharePoint is a web platform that can be accessed anywhere in the world. Link, OfficeSuite and Skype combine to give instant communication. This is particularly helpful for businesses with branches in different locations. SharePoint features can be accessed online using mobile devices.

Project Management
SharePoint makes project management easy; users can collaborate to manage a project. Both experienced user and new users can handle anything from small project using new project site template to more sophisticated management portfolio projects. SharePoint provides project managers with an easy and efficient way to coordinate resources, manage team members, tract tasks and communicate with stakeholders in real time.

SharePoint is a powerful tool that provides out-of-the box business solutions. We can develop customised SharePoint platform depending on your business needs. Please call us about SharePoint consultation if you think SharePoint may help you.

Using-Sharepoint-To-Help-Staff-Interface-Over-Waste-Management

Using Sharepoint To Help Staff Interface Over Waste Management

May 20, 2015Lou LapsoSharepoint Sydney

Having engaged employees is essential to the growth and improvement of a company. Employee engagement is a challenge especially in larger organizations. There are number of tools available in SharePoint to improve employee engagement in a single package. SharePoint has a social capability that gives employees the opportunity to contribute knowledge and ideas in an efficient manner. And the benefits can be seen soon after implementation.

Engage employees have a great attitude and give extra effort beyond their regular responsibilities while disengaged employees create negative company reputation. Effective internal communication is one of the most powerful ways to engage employees. SharePoint allows employees to communicate to one another in a safe, constructive environment without fear of criticism. They can contribute an idea, solve problems together and gain recognition for their services.

Facility cleanliness and hygiene impacts the business operation in many ways. Front area of the building is fundamental to creating an excellent first impression to your staff, clients and visitors. Clean workspaces are important for employees’ health and well-being. Office cleaning whether done in-house or through a professional cleaning company should provide customized attention to detail. On-line communication system to address office waste management is easy using SharePoint. SharePoint platform makes it simple for the staff to share documents and special request regarding office cleanliness and hygiene.

Employees can also work together in collaboration to advance environmental cause of recycling and reducing the carbon footprint of the company. SharePoint makes it easier to collaborate with different departments; a committee can be made to oversee recycling and waste management programs. Using SharePoint help staff interface over waste management program of the company. It is the company’s responsibility to make more than money, the health of its employees and the environment is primary important.

Microsoft SharePoint integrates social to its platform. Employees can now share and collaborate quickly in teams or across the whole organisation. It allows staff members to communicate with experts using hashtags and direct messaging to solicit answers and solutions. Rich content like videos and picture can be viewed inline. SharePoint Social can be easily implemented in the workplace to improve communication in the organisation.

Developing effective internal communication can improve employee engagement and job satisfaction. SharePoint is a communication tool that encourages employees to become more collaborative, creative and productive, helping the company grow and achieve its goals. For real employee engagement, make SharePoint intranet an integral part of your employees’ digital work experience.

Do you need help making the most of your SharePoint environment? We have SharePoint consultants who can help you make better use of this technology. SharePoint can help boost productivity and increase collaboration for your organisation. We make SharePoint cost-effective and the right solution for your business problems. Call us, we will be happy to help you.

Creating a More Natural Harmonious Workplace

February 25, 2015Ava VillarealBrand development, Online marketing, Sharepoint Sydney

Companies designate employees and assigned in different groups for specific tasks. They usually need to work as a team and ensure that morale and productivity is boosted. This is the reason why companies often look for team players who are able to work and perform their best with everyone. With that being said, the employee’s end isn’t the only factor that needs to be considered as companies are also tasked to provide a harmonious workplace for them to cultivate their talents and skills further. This is indeed quite true especially if their work is quite demanding.

One can spend an entire day in the social media space when they are assigned to this related field. They can use several business and digital solutions such as Sharepoints for a more efficient and dynamic workflow. Of course, they still end up spending a considerable amount of time in the office making it important to keep their spirits high and in turn make them feel comfortable. This helps them reach a relatively good working condition as a result. Here are ways on how to create a more natural harmonious workplace for your employees.

Consider your Environment

A good way to start creating a harmonious workplace is to consider the environment that your employees are working in. You need to make sure that the workplace is spacious for them to be able to move and breathe freely with little to no worries. Working in a cramped office space only adds to that extra amount of stress and pressure that your employees will be experiencing. This will greatly affect their overall morale making them less productive as a result. This is the reason why a number of individuals would often prefer to work in their own private cubicle.

Consider Adding Office Plants

If you have the spacious office and work setting, adding several touches and design to it can make a huge difference. Adding some indoor office plants can make the overall ambience fresh and revitalizing. They also help produce fresh air, eliminating air pollutants in the process. In addition, office plants can help reduce the stress levels creating a more positive attitude. There are also a lot of office plants to choose from making your workplace distinct and varied from the rest.

EMF Balancing

You may also want to consider EMF balancing technique for your employees. This is where balance is restored to an individual by aligning their own Electro-Magnetic Field. EMF works on the physical, mental, or emotional level of a person in an effort to bring balance with each other. It is indeed a relaxing and nurturing process that is used to relieve stress or bring more harmony into your employees. For this to become a possibility, companies may be required to invest in some EMF therapy sessions. With that said, the positive results often outweigh the risks as employees feel like their new again, gaining a firm control of their emotion and lives. Check them out today.

 

sharepoint consulting sydney

Cloud computing predictions for 2015

December 10, 2014Lou LapsoSharepoint Sydney

 

Cloud computing became an integral part of the enterprise. It revolutionized the way how the users access information, and the way IT delivers applications and business services. Cloud computing enables mobility and improves business productivity and efficiency. These benefits make the enterprise move their IT infrastructure and software into a cloud environment. Cloud computing has become the big thing this year and is set for another big year in 2015.

Here are the key trends we will see in 2015:

1. Mobile cloud computing everywhere
IBM predicts there will be one trillion cloud-ready devices connected to the internet in 2015. This growth in mobile technology with change the way people do business. Cloud computing will enable people to conduct business anywhere with their mobile devices because all the important data and software is hosted in a cloud environment – accessible instantly via the internet.

2. Microsoft Cloud will make more profit than on-premise software
Microsoft recent financial results shows their commercial cloud revenue grew 128% in the quarter, while server products and services revenue increased by 13%. Under CEO Satya Nadella’s mobile first, cloud first efforts helps its development teams to be more focused on driving innovation into the cloud versions of its properties.

3. The enterprise will use Cloud Services Brokers
We will see an increase in cloud services brokers in 2015. CSB assist in consumption of cloud computing. CSB will create simple, flexible, and business user-centric tools and processes that facilitate cloud adoption and improve cloud infrastructure. They can assist with the selection of the right applications that work well together and assist with making strategic IT business decisions that work towards business goals.

4. Hybrid Cloud Management is the new way
Hybrid Cloud Computing means using a combination of private or community or public cloud services and physical application infrastructure and services. Private cloud has been the preferred option of the enterprise but it is not a viable option for all their cloud service needs. More organisations will recognise the benefits of using a mix of public cloud, private cloud and local, on-premise IT in 2015.

5. Reduction in cloud storage price
Cloud storage or storage-as-a-service (STaaS) took a blow last fall so expect a reduction in cloud storage price in 2015. Enterprise application will move to the cloud to the data centers will become more like the cloud. Cloud storage is gaining customers because companies don’t like on-premise storage anymore.

6. Security and self-protection
The enterprise will increasingly recognize that it is not possible to provide a 100 percent secured environment. But a study by Right Scale has found that security concerns around cloud computing are declining, concerns decreased by 13% from 2013 to 2014. Take advantage of the benefits of cloud computing choose a provider that you can trust and you’ll minimise any risk of data loss or a data breach.

7. Application Design must be cloud-optimized
To fully extract the potential of your cloud infrastructure to deliver world class applications, design must be cloud-optimized. Don’t just transfer enterprise workloads to the cloud or an application infrastructure but make sure application logically adapts to horizontal scalability.

8. Cloud friendly decision is a must
The success of your cloud adoption depends on whether your decision making structure optimizes the cloud infrastructure. Make sure you first address the issue on performance, security, availability, and integration. Once you’ve fully satisfied these issues, you can go about planning, implementing and optimizing your cloud strategy.

9. Docker Containers will be everywhere
Docker, the open source container technology, will allow customers to more easily build, move and manage applications on the cloud. Many companies are using Docker, it’s not a fad and it is here to stay. Most of the major public cloud providers plan to support Docker in 2015.