Microsoft Excel is an essential tool for many companies, small and large. It is a powerful spreadsheet software that can store information. It offers the ability to control data and helps us to communicate with co-workers. Unfortunately, Excel is sometimes inadequate to meet recent challenges in the business world. Excel’s data structure is often described as somewhat cumbersome, especially if we need to manage a significant amount of data. In fact, many companies are wasting untold resources and time trying to find ways to make the outmoded software to keep up with their rapidly expanding and changing requirements.
For many businesses, it may be a good idea to find an alternate solution and Microsoft still has another trick up its sleeves. Microsoft SharePoint was released in 2001 and it is still in active development status until today. It enhances communication and sharing by offering a central repository for users. They can distribute, control and manage information very easily with SharePoint. Unfortunately, many businesses are still somewhat sceptical with the usefulness of Microsoft SharePoint. They could be unsure about how SharePoint could be applied to their day to day business operations. Here are three main components of SharePoint that businesses should be aware about:
- Communication: Microsoft SharePoint could effectively improve the way we work with one another. Teams could always stay on top on things that they are doing right now. It should be very easy for them to share information and enhance teamwork. Data is store in a central repository for authorized users to access, instead of distributed throughout the organization. This should ensure easier sharing, control and access. Team members can be quickly notified of their assignments and tasks can be delegated along with the information necessary. Users will find it easy to find upcoming events, because they are distributed to appropriate users. Like discussion forums and blogs, Microsoft SharePoint should provide a steady platform to share ideas and information.
- Information: Microsoft SharePoint offers a higher degree of information control compared to other data management software, such as Excel. Content management should be more effective ad fluid for small and large businesses, because they can keep all important information in a highly centralized location, which is synchronized for any member. It means, information is stored securely and can be accessed privately, depending on various authorization levels. Different types of information can be assigned to partners, clients, general public, team members and executives. Using highly efficient check-out/check-in management features, it is possible for users create, edit and even delete the exact same document, without intruding others’ works. On the other hand, companies will have more control over their information documents, by establishing specific approval functions. If there are mistakes, it would be very easy to restore to earlier versions.
- Organization: Microsoft can significantly enhance organizational control. They can add content in the form of lists and tables; where it is much easier for users to assign tasks and search for specific piece of data. Overall, it would be very efficient to store content within a highly manageable database. Like the above component, the organizational benefit of Microsoft SharePoint also makes it simpler to share and access information. There is also a calendar tool that can create and store events that are related to specific media and documents.
