As digital content becomes increasingly essential for businesses, organisations require powerful tools to enhance collaboration, streamline workflows, and improve efficiency. This overview of Microsoft 365 and SharePoint provides an introduction to the comprehensive suite of applications and robust platform designed to revolutionise the way we work.
Microsoft 365
Since Microsoft released its first version of Microsoft Office its business model remained consistent. Every 2-3 years a newer version of Office would be released and users who wanted to benefit from the new features and updates would be required to purchase and install that version.
They then introduced Microsoft 365, a suite of apps available as a subscription service. These would be routinely updated, so as long as you carried on with your subscription, you would always have the latest versions.
Alongside the traditional Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, are new tools to help businesses work more creatively, smarter, and rely less on heavy IT support.
Here is a list of some of the apps available with a 365 subscription:
Delve: personal insights and information on who you work with and what you work on
Forms: create customised forms, surveys, and quizzes
Planner: simple-to-use task management
Power Automate: create automation to boost efficiency
Power BI: produce dynamic dashboards and reports
Stream: video library for recordings of training, meetings, and presentations
Sway: create interactive reports and presentations
Teams: communication Hub for video and audio calls, and chat
All 365 apps are primarily accessed in the cloud, but some also have desktop versions.
Cloud versions are designed to promote collaboration but, particularly in the case of the Office apps, have reduced functionality to give a more stable online performance.
Desktop versions have full functionality. There are also 365 apps available for smartphones and tablets.
SharePoint
SharePoint is an interactive workspace for collaboration, information sharing, and document management. SharePoint was originally an on-premises application accessed via an internal server, but in its current form, is a cloud-based application within 365, hosted by Microsoft.
SharePoint Sites can be standalone or linked to form a complete company intranet. Staff can create pages, document libraries, and lists to store and manage all their electronic documents and data and design their sites to collaborate and display key information through dynamic visuals, dashboards, and news posts.
Seamless integration with Power Apps and other additional Microsoft apps and services allows you to create code-free automation, intelligent reports, deploy sophisticated compliance and security policies, and digitise old processes.
You can discover, follow, and search for sites, files, and people across your company. It can help you to better manage your daily routine with workflows, forms, and lists, and sync and store your files in the cloud so anyone can securely work with you.
If you would like more information or assistance on how Microsoft 365 and SharePoint can revolutionise your work environment, then Alberon is here to help. Our team of expert consultants can provide customised solutions tailored to your specific needs, ensuring seamless collaboration, enhanced productivity, and optimized workflows. Contact us today to learn more about our services and let us guide you towards unlocking the true power of Microsoft 365 and SharePoint for your organisation.
