The Social Side of SharePoint
November 19, 2013
While SharePoint is the original enterprise solution for most organizations, many also know that SharePoint is struggling to identify itself in the fast changing world. Its newest iteration as a part of Office 365 has many people talking. Business Management Daily has more in “3 Cool Things about SharePoint in Office 365 Enterprise Editions.”
One particular area of interest is SharePoint’s attempt at social functionality:
“With SharePoint 2010, you could follow sites and tag colleagues. In the 2013 flavor, you can have a newsfeed where you can use social features like hashtags (#) and at tags (@) to track ideas and topics and mention people in your posts. In a news feed for a particular team, you might put hashtags on customer names, industry publication names, or create a tag for a particular issue. Then someone can just click the active tag to see all posts relative to that topic. Use the @tag to give shout-outs to co-workers or to alert someone in a discussion, who might be the best person to contact on a particular subject.”
Arnold IT has followed SharePoint for years, noting SharePoint’s many attempts at social functionality and customers response. (Stephen E. Arnold is a longtime search expert, chronicling his efforts at ArnoldIT.com.) His recent findings point to disappointing social results, despite Microsoft’s best efforts. And still others argue that Microsoft should keep the main mission central, leaving social functions to others, as SharePoint is struggling to even stay relevant as an enterprise search platform.
Emily Rae Aldridge, November 19, 2013
SharePoint Online Limits Customization
November 18, 2013
SharePoint in the cloud is attempting to keep up with the overall trend of movement to the cloud. However, some organizations are looking for alternatives, complaining that Office 365 inhibits portability and customization. Redmond Magazine covers the news in their article, “SharePoint Shops Eying Windows Azure as Office 365 Alternative.”
The article says:
“Even the majority of those planning to move to SharePoint in the cloud are leaning toward Office 365 . . . While 66 percent of current SharePoint online users have Office 365 subscriptions (compared with 14 percent using Windows Azure and 15 percent using other cloud providers), of those planning to run SharePoint in the cloud in the future, 55 percent will opt for Office 365 and nearly 29 percent will use Windows Azure. That points to a segment of SharePoint shops that are turned off by the lack of code portability from older versions of SharePoint. By standing up their own SharePoint servers in Windows Azure, they get the benefit of running their custom or shrink-wrapped apps in the cloud.”
Stephen E. Arnold is a long time leader in the world of search – following the trend with his service Arnold IT. He has long argued that SharePoint is on shaky ground, and a plethora of noteworthy alternatives are not only emerging, they are being rapidly adopted. So it is no wonder that Windows Azure is a popular alternative, and may be one angle that Microsoft uses to maintain its relevance.
Emily Rae Aldridge, November 18, 2013
SharePoint Does Not Function as Stand Alone ECM
October 23, 2013
SharePoint was one of the first enterprise content management systems, and is definitely the most well known. But many people still think of it as an all-encompassing solution. CMS Wire Joe Shepley says that SharePoint may be a lot of things, but in his most recent story he contends that, “SharePoint Will (Almost) Never Be Your Sole ECM System.”
He boils it does to the main point:
“The short answer for why SharePoint will almost never be your sole enterprise content management (ECM) system is that, simply put, the vast majority of organizations have ECM needs that go beyond what SharePoint on its own can deliver. Full stop.”
Shepley goes on to back up his argument and list shortcomings for certain industries as well as shortcomings in general. He then goes on to explain that SharePoint with add-ons is not SharePoint on its own. In fact, add-ons have become so essential and so popular with SharePoint, that some may take this statement for granted. But add-ons are necessary, and keep SharePoint from being a standalone solution. In fact, Stephen E. Arnold of ArnoldIT, has long reviewed and discussed SharePoint add-ons, realizing that most enterprises have to have an add-on to meet their enterprise needs. In a recent article, Arnold explains that SharePoint is even weak in its key functions, collaboration and search. Add-ons are necessary and SharePoint alternatives may be even better.
Emily Rae Aldridge, October 23, 2013
Open Source BPM Comes to SharePoint
October 22, 2013
Business Process Management is a missing function in SharePoint, and one that many users supplement with an add-on. Intalio is now offering an open source option, which is featured in the Globe Newswire story, “Intalio brings the power of open source BPM to SharePoint.”
The article begins:
“Intalio, the leading provider of solutions for businesses to build modern, agile business process applications, and Swiss partner JPL Informatique, announce the release of the Intalio|bpms Portlet for Microsoft SharePoint Web Parts. SharePoint users benefit from the automation power and functionality of Intalio|bpms, the leading open source BPM solution, natively integrated with their enterprise application portal architecture.”
This is just another example of an additional area in which SharePoint does not fully function or meet users’ needs and expectations. Most organizations have to supplement their SharePoint deployment with multiple add-ons in order to meet their needs. Stephen E. Arnold, of ArnoldIT, is a longtime search industry leader and expert. He recently wrote that only 6% of SharePoint users find their SharePoint deployments successful. For that reason, he covers many SharePoint alternatives and add-ons, and Intalio might just go on the list.
Emily Rae Aldridge, October 22, 2013
Microsoft Beefs up Yammer
October 21, 2013
Microsoft bought Yammer in 2012 for $1.2 billion. The news was exciting for users who were eager for the improved social experience it would bring to SharePoint implementations. Now news is circulating that major updates are in the works. Read more in the ZDNet story, “Microsoft adds more e-mail, SharePoint integration to Yammer.”
The article begins:
“Microsoft is making good on its commitment to add more e-mail and SharePoint integration to its Yammer enterprise social-networking product. On October 15, as part of its “Working Social Tour” event in San Francisco, Microsoft execs shared more on how the Yammer roadmap is evolving.”
They go on to share that Microsoft will redesign the Yammer iPad app as well as the Windows Phone apps, improve the email user experience, and update the messaging interfaces.
Yammer takes SharePoint a little closer to relevancy when it comes to social networking capabilities. However, many users are still complaining that SharePoint does not meet expectations in its basic functions. Stephen E. Arnold, a longtime leader in the world of search and developer of ArnoldIT, is a critic of SharePoint. In a recent story, he reports that only 6% of users find their SharePoint deployments successful. It sounds like Microsoft would do well to spend less time on the bells and whistles and more time on search functionality and implementation.
Emily Rae Aldridge, October 21, 2013
SharePoint Business Data Connector Needed
October 18, 2013
Many organizations still see SharePoint as an internal enterprise tool and have yet to take advantage of any opportunity for external data integration. No doubt external integration is trickier and few organizations are willing to take risks. So, many are turning to the Layer2 Business Data List Connector to seamlessly integrate external data streams into an existing SharePoint infrastructure. OpenPR covers the product in their story, “Layer2 Business Data List Connector for SharePoint V5 Released To Close Gaps With External Data Integration.”
The article begins:
“Layer2 has announced version 5 of the SharePoint Business Data List Connector (BDLC) that connects almost any external corporate data source with native SharePoint lists and closes many gaps that still exist with SharePoint data integration.”
Add-ons are all too common when it comes to SharePoint deployments Many gaps exist, just like the external data integration gap mentioned above. Stephen E. Arnold, of Arnold IT, is a longtime expert in search and a frequent critic of SharePoint. In a recent article, Arnold highlights that SharePoint is missing the mark on its critical functions, including search. Microsoft would do well to listen, but until a major redesign takes place, users will continue to rely on add-ons.
Emily Rae Aldridge, October 18, 2013
SharePoint Alternatives are Plentiful
October 16, 2013
SharePoint has almost become the default word for enterprise search, in the same way that Kleenex is synonymous with tissue. But many enterprises find that SharePoint is lacking and are looking for alternatives. These organizations may benefit from a review of the article, “6 SharePoint Alternatives,” which provides good alternatives, particularly for users who are mostly interested in the intranet service that allows colleagues to share resources.
The article begins:
“SharePoint alternatives mentioned below are just some of the multiple options you have in case you are done with the program in question and are willing to switch to another one. Microsoft’s contender is a collaborative tool that allows you to share ideas, project work, documents and more with your colleagues and helps you stay organized at all times . . . But there are some efficient software that can give the aforementioned application a run for its money. And you can expect them to tag along pretty much all of these features and a horde of others.”
No doubt that the alternatives all have strengths and weaknesses, in much the same way that SharePoint has its own set of pros and cons. But many organizations are tiring of all the expensive customization that SharePoint requires and will opt instead for a lower maintenance, focused solution. Stephen E. Arnold, of ArnoldIT, often addresses this issue as he covers the search industry. A recent Arnold article reports that while SharePoint 2013 is structurally sound, many are disappointed in its implementation and key functions. Stay tuned for SharePoint tips and tricks, as well as promising alternatives.
Emily Rae Aldridge, October 16, 2013
Project Hosts Offers Government Approved Cloud SaaS
October 15, 2013
Security is the primary concern for government agencies when it comes to software. And though Cloud services have really ramped up in recent years, some agencies that work with the government might be leery to use the Cloud for security reasons. However, a new offering by Project Hosts might change that. Read more in the latest article, “Project Hosts Offers SharePoint, CRM on Government-Approved Azure Cloud.”
The article begins:
“Hosting provider Project Hosts is making its software-as-a-service solutions (including Microsoft PPM, SharePoint and Dynamics CRM) available on a Windows Azure cloud infrastructure that meets the necessary security assessments required by US government offices and agencies. Last week, Microsoft announced that Windows Azure had been granted Provisional Authorization to Operate (P-ATO) from the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Joint Authorization Board (JAB).”
A variety of deployments for SharePoint is really essential for increased adoption throughout the enterprise. And while SharePoint continues to be the default solution for enterprise search, there are criticisms. Stephen E. Arnold, of ArnoldIT, is a longtime industry expert in search and a frequent critic of SharePoint. Arnold states that where SharePoint truly misses the mark most often, is in its most basic function, search. In a recent article, Arnold argues that SharePoint 2013 was found unsatisfactory in its basic functions when deployed by many organizations. Stay tuned for the latest SharePoint news and the best advice on how to use it successfully.
Emily Rae Aldridge, October 15, 2013
Microsoft Business Intelligence Added
October 14, 2013
SharePoint 2013 has arrived with a bundle of additional add-ons and trinkets, so to speak. However, some may say that these small pieces are in many ways more impressive than SharePoint itself. TechRepublic covers the story in their article, “SharePoint 2013 Adds Better In-memory Analytics.”
“In its quest to never be outdone in the features wars, Microsoft has drifted into the habit of bundling its most impressive new capabilities as peripheral trinkets. But in the case of SharePoint 2013, they’ve set a new record for understatement. Yes, SharePoint 2013 is feature-rich almost to a fault, and yes, most of the new stuff is big-banner game-changing (Social computing! SharePoint-in-the-cloud!). But some of the most powerful items are geeky little widgets that barely get a mention on TechNet, and when it comes to SharePoint 2013, the In-Memory BI Engine tops the list.”
But while the business intelligence add-on might be noteworthy, many are saying that SharePoint 2013 is not. Most organizations still have to customize their way into efficiency, using multiple add-ons to compile a complete solution. Stephen E. Arnold, of ArnoldIT, is a longtime expert in search and a longstanding critic of SharePoint. In a recent article, Arnold finds that the latest version of SharePoint is structurally sound, but relatively ineffective, particularly for its search components. Microsoft continues to innovate, yet seems to keep missing the mark with basic features.
Emily Rae Aldridge, October 14, 2013
SharePoint User Training Cannot be Overlooked
October 11, 2013
SharePoint is a huge deployment for any organization. Most will just focus on implementation and many make the mistake of overlooking user training. CMS Wire gives many reasons to invest in SharePoint user training in their article, “Don’t Overlook the Importance of Effective SharePoint User Training.”
The article begins:
“While most of the recent stories about SharePoint revolve around the latest buzzwords and hot topics — gamification, cloud, mobile, social, Yammer, etc. — one component of a successful SharePoint rollout that is often overlooked is an effective user training program. Although talking about training seems to be out of fashion at the moment, it’s still very important.”
User training is so important for SharePoint because it is a huge, complicated deployment. User satisfaction is pitifully low for the enterprise search solution, and training can only help improve those numbers. Stephen E. Arnold, a longtime expert in search and the brains behind ArnoldIT.com, is a critic of SharePoint. He recently covered a story that revealed that only 6% of enterprises found their SharePoint deployments to be successful. There is clearly room for improvement.
Emily Rae Aldridge, October 11, 2013
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