New SharePoint Features That You Did Not Know About
As companies become open to operating remotely, having the right technology to necessitate, it is a prerequisite. Companies today rely on content to thrive and grow. Strategically coming up with original content is the cornerstone of a good marketing strategy and a sound content management system helps execute it.
Microsoft’s SharePoint is a tool that has grown in popularity with the increase in demand for content management systems. To explore the value proposition offered by SharePoint, this article evaluates its pertinent features that users may have skimmed over.
What is SharePoint?
SharePoint is an intranet and content management system that is designed to empower business teams to collaborate effectively. By automating workflow processes across the entire organization, SharePoint gives businesses the ability to control the availability of information to teams. A product of Microsoft, SharePoint is integrated with Office 365. This ensures optimal productivity across the organization, given the fact every organization uses Microsoft products in some capacity.
Since SharePoint is a web-based application, its USP lies in its ability to be a portable intranet for an organization. The fact that organizations can simply set it up and get started makes it attractive, unlike traditional intranets.
Important Sharepoint Features You Had No Clue About
Building upon the points made earlier over SharePoint’s capabilities as an intranet, here is a list of some other features that users should know about:
1. Ability to Create your own WikiSite
Think of it as a central Wikipedia page, but for a team member to pitch ideas. SharePoint allows team members to create custom wiki page libraries, which can later be integrated for final decision making.
2. Adoption of SMTP Mailing System
Users get the ability to configure the SMTP Service on a SharePoint Server. SMTP i.e. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol simplifies the communication of emails between servers. It breaks down a message into smaller parts for the other server to understand.
With respect to SharePoint, companies can either install the SMTP Service, or administrators can provide a central email drop folder. Since SMTP establishes communication rules between servers, it can be configured to accept mails from the mail server of the domain.
3. On-Premise vs. Cloud Environment
With SharePoint 2019, users have the option to either operate offline or move to a cloud-based infrastructure. With the inclusion of “Modern Libraries,” users now have the flexibility to create new Sites via the updated GUI. Depending on the size of the company and its requirements, companies can choose to opt for the infrastructure more suitable for them. With respect to concerns over data handling, both differ. On-Premise provides TLS and SSL protocols, while SharePoint Cloud requires add-ons based on the requirements.
4. Robust WSS_Logging Database
WSS_Logging database tracks logs generated by a SharePoint farm. In the previous iteration of SharePoint (2013), the database would often run into space issues.
However, with SharePoint 2019, users have more control over it. It is the only database that can be queried directly. Also, its schema can further be modified by certain PowerShell commands.
These four features, while technical, make SharePoint a valuable commodity for businesses. If you’re still on the fence over going ahead with it, you do have the ability to give it a trial. Its integration with Office 365 makes it an interesting proposition. Depending on the use case, it can be tailored as per user requirements.