The new SharePoint Online has features that are sure to meet the needs of businesses. It can be purchased as a standalone application or as part of the comprehensive Office 365 package which will ensure SharePoint integration with other important tools like Exchange and Lync.
Being available in the Cloud, it relieves users from the burden of managing its infrastructure on site, but at the same time, gives them enough control to be tailored to the needs and requirements of any business organization.
The new SharePoint online offers some improvements compared to last issue: from an easier to use and configure admin console to automated servers’ maintenance with minimal downtime.
SharePoint online helps users with powerful collaboration tools that allow teams to work on documents wherever employees are located. All members of the team can also be updated on relevant news thanks to social feeds and access through mobile applications.
Documents can be organized and stored in central locations available to all employees, even those working remotely.
SharePoint also offers higher storage limits, active personal file sharing, and a better system to find and retrieve information. The application also offers Web designers and developers the tools needed to create new websites and applications in support of their organization.
Knowing what one does now about Microsoft SharePoint online (SPO), one might ask, then, what are the top 10 features presented in the upgrade to encourage customers to get it?
And what new additions will assist SharePoint consultants so they can be able to help their client organizations with applications? It is thanks to SharePoint Senior Product Manager, Mark Kashman, who responded to these types of questions in a blog post. Listed next are some of noted SPO updates that have been done.
1. User Interface (UI)
The user interface has been revamped, and it’s now more visually appealing and easier to navigate. Embedded features make it simpler for users to work with documents: The “drag and drop” feature allows them to effortlessly transfer documents from the desktop to the site just by dragging them. The “on-hover” function instead allows users to have quick access to a set of commands such as open and share, as well as documents preview and deep links to quickly jump to important content. With “Touch”, it allows easy filtering and navigation through large touch targets and “aSyncronous” calls allows quicker and simpler full page refreshes.
2. SkyDrive Pro
A whopping 7GB of cloud storage space for all employees with the appropriate use rights (this is an increase from the previous 500MB available). This feature makes it easy for employees to share and synchronize documents as well as collaborate with coworkers or external entities. Data can be accessed anytime, anywhere using a variety of devices. Administration of information is also easier thanks to proper managing of access permission and data loss protection improves through eDiscovery.
3. Yammer
A social tool for many of Microsoft new products including SharePoint and Office 365. Users can access the tool from multiple devices and operating systems; they can create and access internal and external groups and subscribe to feeds. They can create notes and discussion threads.
4. Guest Links
This feature allows users to invite other employees or external entities to view shares sites or folders. Permissions can be easily assigned to all guests so that they can either read-only the document or edit them. Access is regulated through the use of usernames and passwords.
5. Public Website
The public website has been revamped and now includes social features such as social media add-ins and commenting options. Publishing capabilities have been improved and organizations have access to advanced design options. It is now also easy to make the site available on the Internet or offsite when needing maintenance. Design Manager gives users a number of tools to transform any sites built with the users’ preferred editing software in SharePoint pages.
6. eDiscovery
Now there are improved ways to help you protect your business with eDiscovery, a powerful tool that allows users to create queries and find content on various sites and document repositories. Items found can all be collected in one place and even exported using industry standard formats.
7. Site Mailbox
Site Mailbox combines the strong document management capabilities of SharePoint online and Exchange e-mail solutions to create project-based inboxes to organize the work of a team collaborating on a given task.
8. Powerful Enterprise Search
SPO offers tools that enable users to inspect the results of a search without opening the items. With on-hover, they can display information on the author as well as get a content preview. Search results are also more accurate in this new version and users have a lot of control through powerful filtering options. Hybrid search capability makes it possible to do a simple search performed both on documents stored on-premises as well as those stored in the cloud (online).
9. Cloud App Model (CAM)
Web developers will use CAM to easily build SharePoint apps. As a result, organization’s users will then be able to have access to all developed apps for use and installation.
10. PowerShell
Managers can use PowerShell to simply perform operations like managing their SharePoint online subscription, upgrade, remove or add users and groups, or repair sites. These tasks can also be automated or performed in bulk.
From the list, it looks as if everyone could benefit from the new SharePoint Online! Customers may want to self-upgrade to the latest version now so they can take advantage of one or more of the new components.
