Preview of SharePoint 2016 Available at Ignite Event
March 3, 2015
Customers were excited to hear that SharePoint 2016 would be unveiled this year, and even more excited to know that Microsoft is extending on-premises support. Now it looks like the first look at the newest version will be at the Ignite Event coming up in May. Read more details in the Redmond Magazine article, “Microsoft To Show ‘Early Version’ of SharePoint Server 2016 at Ignite Event.”
The article begins:
“Microsoft likely won’t have a SharePoint Server 2016 public preview available before its Ignite event coming up in May, but it will show an early version at the event. Bill Baer, senior product manager for SharePoint at Microsoft, explained this week that SharePoint 2016 is currently at an early development stage at Microsoft.”
Stephen E. Arnold keeps a close eye on the latest SharePoint news on his Web service, ArnoldIT.com. He has made a career out of tracking all things search. Follow his dedicated SharePoint feed to stay up to date on all the latest news, tips, and tricks. After the unveiling in May, stay tuned for additional information about SharePoint 2016, as it becomes available.
Emily Rae Aldridge, March 03, 2015
Enterprise Search: A Haunting Phrase Evokes the Ghosts of Failed Search Past
March 1, 2015
I read a practical explication about setting up SharePoint search to facilitate people search. I am okay with the approach in “More SharePoint 2013 Search Tips for Power Users.” The publisher is one focused on generating received wisdom or hoped for truths. That’s okay.
I did note one important and telling phrase. Here is is:
So how can this knowledge be used to create a real business solution?
When I read this sentence, several thoughts flitted through my mind. Here they are:
- Is this opposed to an unreal business solution.
- Are search solutions chimera?
- 3. Are search solutions false, fake, ersatz?
Am I unduly sensitive to a single statement? No. The phrase strikes at the core of search challenges, not just sticky wickets of the SharePoint variety.
Search allows individuals to “find” something in theory. The reality is that what search outputs for a user crafty enough to use the right term, phrase, or hot link is often wildly off the mark.
The fix is to layer additional controls on top of a child’s wagon, not a vehicle designed to carry the weight of today’s information access requirements.
Result? Search is an endless disappointment to users. How does one find a person in an organization who can and will answer a question? More than search is required in my experience.
Stephen E Arnold, March 1, 2015
New Version of On Premises SharePoint Due Out This Year
February 26, 2015
Many users were nervous that Microsoft was phasing out on-site SharePoint installations. Fortunately for those concerned, that is not the case. Microsoft has announced a new on-premises version of SharePoint to be released this year. Read all the details in the Redmond article, “Microsoft Will Deliver On-Premises SharePoint 2016 This Year.”
The article begins:
“Allaying concerns that Microsoft wasn’t planning to develop any more on-premises versions of SharePoint, the company today said a new server release is scheduled for the second half of 2015. Microsoft’s emphasis on SharePoint Online had many wondering at times whether the company was planning a new server release, although the company had indicated back in March that a new version was coming.”
For those who are interested in following along with the developments, stay tuned to ArnoldIT.com. Stephen E. Arnold has made a career out of all things search, and he focuses special attention on SharePoint. His dedicated SharePoint news feed is very relevant for all levels of SharePoint users and is filled with the latest tips and tricks.
Emily Rae Aldridge, February 26, 2015
SharePoint Pushing Updates Through Windows Update Service
February 24, 2015
Cumulative updates were announced for SharePoint Server 2010 and SharePoint Server 2013 this week. Along with them came the announcement that future CU updates will be more or less automatic. This sends up some red flags in the IT community. Read all the details in the Redmond article, “Microsoft Now Pushing SharePoint Server Updates via the Windows Update Service.”
The article begins:
“The policy change is that starting with these February CU releases, Microsoft intends to push its future SharePoint Server updates, including the nonsecurity ones, through its Windows Update service, according to a blog post by Stefan Gossner, a senior escalation engineer for SharePoint at Microsoft . . . Windows Update delivery implies automatic installations. That could be a scary prospect for IT pros lacking controls preventing automatic installations.”
Windows updates can be set to “download only” on each server for managers who are wary of the automatic changes. To keep up with the latest SharePoint server news, as well as all things SharePoint, stay tuned to ArnoldIT.com. Stephen E. Arnold is a longtime leader in search, and he maintains ArnoldIT.com as a Web service helpful to all levels of users. The dedicated SharePoint feed features the latest tips, tricks, and news.
Emily Rae Aldridge, February 24, 2015
SharePoint Dominates Despite Users Struggles
February 19, 2015
SharePoint’s usage continues to soar, despite its well-documented difficulty. Some companies may simply feel that they have no other option when it comes to such a broad platform, but they do struggle with bridging the usability gap for their employees. Search Content Management also dives into the topic in their article, “Companies Wrestle with the SharePoint Usability Gap.”
The article begins:
“’But Microsoft’s lock on the business productivity applications in Microsoft Office extends to SharePoint as well. Many enterprises make their peace with SharePoint, despite the fact that it ‘doesn’t’ excel in any particular area when compared with best-of-breed, single-purpose products,’ as Jeffrey Mann, a Gartner, Inc. research vice president, noted at the 2013 Gartner Symposium/ITxpo.”
For these reasons, organizations must work harder to help users fight frustration and make the most of their workdays. Outside resources can be very helpful. One resource of note is ArnoldIT.com, a Web service run by a longtime search expert, Stephen E. Arnold. His SharePoint feed features the best of the Internet’s tips, tricks, and news regarding all things SharePoint.
Emily Rae Aldridge, February 19, 2015
Varying Predictions for SharePoint in 2015
February 17, 2015
With on-premise use rising over the years (despite a focus by Microsoft on cloud installations) it seems that SharePoint is promising on-premise updates in 2015. However, no one is really sure how or when the details will be final. CMS Wire helps with the speculation in their article, “4 Directions For SharePoint and Office 365 in 2015.”
The article begins:
“It’s going to be a big year for SharePoint, but details about what to expect are fuzzy. Microsoft has promised a new on-premise version will be released later this year. However, it has been less forthcoming about SharePoint Online in Office 365. Microsoft upgrades Office 365 on a regular basis and has given some indication as to where it would like to go with SharePoint Online. But a lot of questions remained unanswered.”
The article goes on to speculate at a few of SharePoint’s upcoming changes. Many experts will continue to speculate until the news becomes final. For those whom the changes will impact, it would be wise to keep an eye on the news coming out of Stephen E. Arnold’s SharePoint feed. As a longtime expert in the field, he uses his Web service, ArnoldIT.com, to share the latest tips, tricks, and news relating to all things search.
Emily Rae Aldridge, February 17, 2015
SharePoint Development Firms Are Big Business
February 12, 2015
SharePoint is a big contender in the world of enterprise, and it is not just big business for Microsoft, but for lots of other firms that do consulting or add-on work. MarketWired has listed the best SharePoint consulting firms that are off to a good start in 2015. Read the full list in their story, “10 Top SharePoint Development Firms Named By bestwebdesignagencies.com for January 2015.”
The article begins:
“bestwebdesignagencies.com has named the ten best SharePoint consulting companies for the month of January 2015. The ratings consist of web design solution providers which have years of experience in providing remarkable solutions. The ratings are created through a thorough examination process which involves the inspection and benchmarking of top competing companies to establish which are most effective at supplying their solutions.”
This proves that there is a great need for extra help when it comes to SharePoint installations. Stephen E. Arnold provides some of that help to his readers on his Web site ArnoldIT.com. He has made a career out of all things search, including SharePoint. In fact, his SharePoint feed highlights the latest news, tips, and tricks that user and managers will find helpful when trying to navigate a SharePoint installation, on any budget.
Emily Rae Aldridge, February 12, 2015
Bridging the Gap between Policy and Technology
February 10, 2015
To many organizations, SharePoint installations can be more of a challenge than an asset. To help negotiate some of the most common challenges, webinars and other trainings can be valuable. Sys-Con Media covers a new training opportunity in their article, “Free 5 Feb Workshop Explores Using Sharepoint to Bridge the Gap Between Policy and Technology.”
The article begins:
“As technology executives, we’re often challenged with managing policy requirements and keeping up with technology to support them, while working with limited budgets and a shallow pool of qualified staff. DataPoint Solutions is hosting a free workshop to address these challenges in the form of four briefings, outlining how processes can be automated and streamlined by leveraging SharePoint and mission-critical systems to help capture organizational knowledge, automate processes, and ensure compliance with policies.”
Stephen E. Arnold also offers another resource for finding SharePoint training opportunities on his Web service, ArnoldIT.com. His SharePoint feed in particular is helpful for managers and end users alike. SharePoint will always be a large installation with lots to manage, but good training and a plan can go a long way toward easing a lot of the common struggles.
Emily Rae Aldridge, February 10, 2015
Delve Assists Organizations with Content Curation
February 5, 2015
In a move a la Pinterest, Microsoft now has a feature in Delve to allow users to organize their cards via a new feature called “boards.” The latest eWeek article has all the details. Read more in the article, “Microsoft Office Delve Boards Help Enterprises With Content Curation.”
The article begins:
“Delve is a mobile-optimized app that automatically surfaces situationally relevant information and interactions on ‘cards,’ visual and sharable representations of documents, discussions and other content shared over the Office 365 platform. It is powered by Office Graph, content discovery and machine learning software that the company described as the ‘new Office 365 intelligence fabric’ when it first announced the technology last year.”
Delve is a way for users to view relevant but potentially buried information without having to work too hard for it. It is part of Microsoft’s latest attempts to be a little more intuitive and user friendly while still maintaining their role as the enterprise giant. Stephen E. Arnold covers the latest on Microsoft and many things search on his Web service, ArnoldIT.com. His SharePoint feed is quite useful for those who are following the latest trends in enterprise search.
Emily Rae Aldridge, February 05, 2015
Big Data is About More than Just Size
February 3, 2015
Although Big Data has been around for some time, and some might say its discussions are getting old, the truth is that Big Data is beginning to streamline into more mainstream uses. ZDNet covers the topic in their article, “Getting Big Data Right is About More than the Size of Your Database.”
The article begins:
“As a term becomes more familiar, it also gets misused and it’s easy to think of big data as a system that makes a data warehouse achievable even for a small business. That misses the point, though. Big data isn’t big because you have lots of it. It’s big because it covers lots of areas in which you can find insights that your regular data set – however large – doesn’t cover.”
The article goes on to highlight Microsoft Delve as one way to see Big Data making an appearance in most mainstream architectures. Office 365 is using Delve and other components to move out of the box and help users make the most of their installations. Stephen E. Arnold is a longtime leader in search and had devoted a good bit of time to Microsoft SharePoint, in both its former and current iterations. He gives some attention to Delve as well as other Office 365 topics on his SharePoint feed at ArnoldIT.com. Keep your eyes open to see if his findings might have an impact on your organization’s installation.
Emily Rae Aldridge, February 03, 2015
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