Home » Training Software » Does Your Team Need Sharepoint Training?
When you research Sharepoint online, you’ll be confused by many definitions, but what exactly is it? To bring some clarity to the situation, let’s look at what Sharepoint is.
What is Sharepoint?
Most would consider Sharepoint a document management and collaboration tool. It was developed by Microsoft, and functions as an intranet and content management system. It brings functionality to internal operations, assisting with bringing organizations together.
The platform integrates with Office 365, and has multiple capabilities. Research suggests Sharepoint is used by 78% of Fortune 500 companies. Microsoft was said to have sold 36.5 million user licenses from 2006 – 2011. The collection of services offered includes the Windows SharePoint Services (WSS), the Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS), and the Microsoft Search Server. These are intercompatible, and bring their own unique qualities to the mix.
Microsoft themselves describe Sharepoint as collaboration, search, portal, Enterprise Content Management (ECM), Business Process Management (BCM), and Business Intelligence (BI). With so many different areas to consider, Sharepoint training is recommended to ensure your staff are up-to-speed with the platform, especially when dealing with large information management projects.
Why is Sharepoint Important?
Sharepoint has two core functions. It helps users store documents in a more effective format, while bringing an organization together so everyone receives the information they need to be successful in their role.
To give you a more in depth understanding of why Sharepoint is important, here are some top organizational benefits:
It Facilitates Staff Communication
Group emails are a thing of the past. Though they were once a common business approach, they have since been rendered obsolete. Sharepoint offers collaboration, so is a more effective method for sharing information among staff. This enables workers to access whatever they need, when they need it.
Creates Context Around Documents
Sharepoint strays from the concept of storing information in a simple folder. It allows you to create context around your sharing folder, which is more effective because you can track different versions of documents. More information is provided about each file, which doesn’t simply sit in a folder, but is an evolving piece of information that can be updated accordingly. This sways from the traditional premise, where you couldn’t have a running history for each document, or observe file changes in real time.
Stores Information Centrally
Sharepoint stores information in a central location. This makes it easy for staff to find information, which is crucial when dealing with responsive, high-demand data. When a message needs to be shared, it can simply be posted on Sharepoint.
Encourages Collaboration
Sharepoint is designed to unite team members, which is advantageous when staff aren’t in the same geographic location. Multiple branches can get on the same page, connected via a common portal. Though staff were previously restricted by their location, Sharepoint unites people so they can work together, irrespective of where they are in the world. This fosters innovation and helps develop a progressive culture.
What Does Your Team Need Sharepoint Training?
Now you appreciate the importance of Sharepoint, you’ll realize why Sharepoint training is so important. To enhance your understanding further, let’s look at further motivations for Sharepoint training:
It’s Not Easy to Use
Sharepoint is a complicated piece of technology, so unlocking its true capabilities isn’t easy. It wasn’t designed to be either, but with effective Sharepoint training staff can maximize the potential of the software. By using WalkMe’s Sharepoint training platform, trainees can benefit from a simple user experience. Staff will become comfortable with the new technology, thus garnering skills that help them become a more valuable asset. They’ll achieve this through contextual engagement and systematic guidance.
There are Many Ways to Achieve the Same Thing
For example, if you want to share a document externally, there are at least five different ways to do so. The key is to master the best way of doing things given your current situation, and this requires sharepoint training. When users get to grips with how to navigate around the platform, they’ll achieve a sense of confidence that can be leveraged for maximum impact.
It Will Give Your Staff Independence
Staff shouldn’t have to constantly seek help on their quest for information. Their daily duties should be relatively self-sufficient, to improve their sense of self-worth, and ultimately increase productivity. Though the learning curve will be steep, once they’re up-to-speed with the technology, staff can independently go about their daily duties with greater job satisfaction.
Process Change
Businesses are changing all the time, especially to meet ever-evolving consumer demands. Sharepoint is a great way to enforce a new business process, which makes it much more than a simple technological shift. This alleviates the negative connotations that come with change, helping staff adapt and transition into new beginnings.
Prove You Care
Investing in personalized staff training is a great way to prove you care. Sharepoint training is a worthwhile consideration, one which you’ll certainly receive a return on. When staff feel appreciated, their objectives are more likely to align with company interests. They will consequently be more motivated to meet company goals, which ultimately improves productivity.
