Microsoft SharePoint

Put simply, SharePoint is Microsoft’s version of a cutting edge intranet or internal website. It can be used as an web-based collaboration, process management, search and document management platform.

One of its main purposes is to enable an organisation’s information to be organised, controlled and displayed in one central web-based location.  It allows businesses to communicate to all staff, publish documents or extend other software’s functionality to specific individuals.

At Encode, we utilise SharePoint as a way of extending the functionality or data of Dynamics NAV or CRM to a wider audience without the need for a Dynamics license.

SharePoint examples:

• A remote site within a business requires to raise requisitions which can then be actioned by the company buyer.  Using SharePoint, Encode provides the remote office with SharePoint which has a role-tailored environment for the user which allows them to raise requisitions which seamlessly integrate back into Dynamics NAV.

• A Commercial Director doesn’t really want to access the company’s accounts software, they just want to see performance reports.  Creating a dashboard environment displaying key reports, graphs and KPIs gives the Director role-specific information to allow them to make the right business decisions at the right time.

• A company has several locations and run multiple projects which require to be managed for costs and performance.  Part of this management is to control documents that relate to each project, drawings, emails and key contacts.  Encode has created a SharePoint environment to allows the automatic creation of Project Sites to facilitate the overall management of each project and capture and control all related information.

Microsoft SharePoint isn’t a product – it’s a technology.  A technology that is flexible and can be used in every business in every sector.  Build within SharePoint, is the ability to automate manual processes or create workflows.  These are powerful tools that enhances the ability of a business to be more effective in its operations and be more efficient in how they are done.

When talking about SharePoint’s capabilities, how long is a piece of string?