Fostering team collaboration is essential to any business. Often collaborative efforts boost workplace productivity, spur innovative ideas for new services or products, and create the best possible deliverables for clients. It’s a win-win-win situation, and as a business leader, something you want to create an effective environment for.
Team collaboration can be complex- especially in a remote work environment. Effective collaboration requires the help of technology tools and appropriate training. Microsoft 365 has been continually updated with communication and collaboration in mind by leveraging cloud computing. SharePoint is at the center of Microsoft 365’s collaboration abilities.
Key Benefits of SharePoint
Microsoft SharePoint creates a virtual workspace where teams can store files, collaborate, and complete tasks. One truth to running a successful business is that the communication tools in place need to be ones that people can actually use. Today, as in-person communication is limited, having the communication tools in place that allow people to collaborate more effectively is more important than ever, especially when it comes to deadline-driven projects.
To illustrate some of the benefits of SharePoint in a modern setting, here are five ways the application can help teams collaborate.
1. Cloud Storage Solution
Once an instance is created, SharePoint becomes the central virtual location where team members can store all their necessary files and information they need for their work. Not only are shared documents stored there, but team members can chat, video conference with Teams, set up and complete tasks, and compare calendars. Having everything they need in a centralized and accessible location allows your team to work from anywhere.
2. Simultaneous Editing
SharePoint storage uses the same synchronization protocols as Microsoft OneDrive, so every document, and every edit of a document, is saved instantaneously and continuously to the cloud. From there, the updated version is synced to all devices connected to the network, keeping every team member up to date at all times.
SharePoint documents also allow more than one team member to access, edit and annotate a document simultaneously. A helpful tip: SharePoint records document history, allowing you to quickly review edits anyone else has made to the document and restore an earlier version if needed.
3. Role-Based Permissions
One of the primary features of Microsoft SharePoint is its built-in security. Only authorized members can access their designated SharePoint site’s documents located on their particular SharePoint server. This gives employees the flexibility to have SharePoint instances for teams, departments, divisions, the entire enterprise, or even just for themselves as an individual. It also allows team leaders to adjust access to the server depending on the ebb and flow of the work.
4. Included in the Microsoft 365 Ecosystem
One of the best things about SharePoint is that you are likely already paying for it. If you have Microsoft 365, SharePoint comes included in your subscription. Another bonus- it seamlessly integrates with your other Microsoft 365 apps like Outlook and Teams- increasing your team’s file accessibility and ability to collaborate. In fact, you might be able to save some money on other tools, by building out your SharePoint app.
5. Customizable Solutions and Integrations
You can keep the default online SharePoint features and benefits, or you can tailor them to your business needs.
SharePoint comes packed with an array of sophisticated and unique tools to tweak the features as per the need of the development project in hand. Thanks to SharePoint, you can build in many custom features. When it is coupled with Office 365, the productivity suite adds applications that simplify and enhance the collaborative ability. Teams can share a calendar to help plan their workload, use OneNote to document progress, and leverage automated workflows with Power BI.
Make The Switch To SharePoint A Success
Team collaboration within a business is not a new concept—it is often central to the success of a business. However, the way teams collaborate in a modern work environment has changed significantly. With a workforce operating in a mobile environment, companies need to invest in solutions that make working from anywhere as easy as possible.
Part of ensuring the success of your collaboration tool is to take the time to strategically plan the switch the SharePoint and offer multiple opportunities for your employees to train on the new tool and provide feedback.
Are you interested in setting up SharePoint or optimizing your M365 platform? You can book a call with us via the link below.
