Creating corporate websites is a tool to help digitize company processes and communication. Microsoft SharePoint has done well so far in making this happen since it was introduced in 2001.
This Microsoft 365 tool has allowed users to publish branded content for years. This includes managing file lists and accessing useful documents from all devices. As long as you have an internet connection, you can take advantage of its features.
Today, the app has become one of the best tools for managing content and building private sites. Thanks to Microsoft updates, you can enjoy SharePoint’s new and advanced features.
What is Sharepoint?
Unlike other website-creating platforms, SharePoint has barriers to control. This is especially true when it aims to reach a large audience. The goal is to help organizations manage their audiences in one place at the same time to improve business performance.
SharePoint products are included in Microsoft 365 and are used by businesses of all sizes. SharePoint Server adds features such as modern site pages, and SharePoint Designer allows workflow-enabled solutions.
But what if you don’t have any previous experience with SharePoint? Well, there’s nothing to worry about. Experts that teach SharePoint training courses from Acuity stated that with proper training and an eagerness to learn, you can easily and confidently navigate SharePoint.
These expert-led courses cover all the essential topics you need to know about the software. You’ll discover all of SharePoint’s functionality using the latest version of the Microsoft SharePoint platform.
6 SharePoint Features for 2023
Microsoft designed SharePoint to be a reliable extranet for modern businesses. It enables seamless connectivity, file sharing, controlled access, and interactive social media activity. As we enter a new year of innovation, here are six key features of SharePoint you’ll find useful.
1. Manage Files And Documents
SharePoint’s key strength is its ability to manage business documents. Yes, it sounds broad! Looking into the details, SharePoint stores files and company information in an accessible manner. Files from team sites are stored in a special list called “document collections.” You can later share this with other members at different permission levels.
SharePoint allows you to create groups that act beyond the level of an individual user. This way, you can easily assign permissions. You can give all members “Full Control” access if you want to. Members can work together on a shared file in real-time without losing control.
This is where another important feature of SharePoint, the change history, comes into play. With the right permission, you can review all document versions every time they are modified. Not only can you view the changes, but you can also directly restore a previous version.
In addition, you can see the details of the file history, such as the file section, user, date, and time it was modified. Thus, it’s easy to manage and track the progress made in the document. You can even set an alert to notify you whenever your collections are updated. Lastly, SharePoint has an ideal document management system called metadata. This feature allows users to categorize, filter, and search files faster.
2. Manage and Collaborate Content
Next in line is every business’s favorite key feature: content creation.
SharePoint enables companies to build branded pages and disseminate corporate news or announcements. They can use the platform to communicate the company’s culture and events. It is also possible to meet employees and business partners in one place. You can keep every member up-to-date virtually!
In addition to this, SharePoint gives each department its own space called “subsites.” Subsites allow specific departments to have their own portal. It allows them to create more accessible and engaging content at a particular level.
If this disrupts the internal flow, you can resort to creating corporate blogs. Exhibitors can showcase certain announcements for specific user groups. Lastly, increase user engagement through multimedia content. You can create short video courses or tutorials. Your employees will enjoy watching them during breaks!
3. SharePoint Online App
This is where SharePoint comes in very handy. You can use your smartphone or tablet to interact with websites and access files via the online app. You will be notified and receive alerts whether a new post or document is uploaded to the intranet. In just a click, you’ll be directed to the content and can start communicating with your team.
Talk about portability!
4. Intelligent Search
This modern content indexing system allows you to locate files within corporate sites.
SharePoint has enhanced its search capabilities to index any file type. A PDF file is no exception, as long as it has a text layer. This feature allows a full-text search of a given keyword in the title, the body of text, or the metadata.
Not only does it locate your file, but it also allows you to retrieve content across sites, pages, and lists. This is also possible if you use a Microsoft 365 tool like OneDrive. You will get results and locate files in a matter of seconds!
5. Enhanced and Advanced Security
As far as data integrity is concerned, Microsoft SharePoint 2023 boasts advanced features. These include upgraded workflow and authentication to reduce the risks of unauthorized access.
You can also set access privileges per document or item.
Similarly, the application promises improved security for organizations that handle sensitive data. It has configured settings for shareability, storage, and auditing. Complying with your industry’s regulatory requirements on data security comes in handy!
6. Integrate with Existing Apps
Optimize the management of your business processes by combining one app’s function with another.
You can integrate SharePoint functions with tools like One Drive and Teams. SharePoint is also compatible with Microsoft Power Platform apps. Examples of this are Microsoft Power Automate and Microsoft Power BI.
Moreover, it works seamlessly with your Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, or Word). MS Unified Communications, CRM, and other back-office systems also work well with SharePoint.
While these tools efficiently digitize your activities, they require no advanced programming knowledge. You can safely use them with just the most basic low-level code. Doing so will create an automated workflow and avoid repetitive tasks.
Conclusion
Developers, designers, and many users enjoy using SharePoint. It promotes transparency and collaboration in teams and businesses with its multi-purpose functions. Overall, its greatest feature is flexibility, which is essential for every collaborative platform.
SharePoint goes beyond information sharing and permission levels. The software has developed enhanced functions to help manage business documents and files better. It also encourages social networking and organizing the day-to-day operations of your business.
These are only a few of the many features of SharePoint. Having a sense of organization and a well-informed workforce promotes shared decision-making.
Today’s Microsoft SharePoint has come a long way. It’s truly nothing like what its pioneers did a decade ago and offers unlimited possibilities.
