Process optimization and selecting sound systems are the main points of getting rid of the problems and improving the enterprise's performance. Through the elimination of logjams and the substitution of manual tasks, companies not only achieve higher productivity but also make more profit because of the reduction of labor costs. SharePoint is a feature-rich tool that can be employed for this reason. It provides the platform to use, manage, and optimize business processes that may be efficient and have a positive impact on your business results.
Employing SharePoint to drive your operations is a smart move as it allows for eliminating any unnecessary steps, reducing processing time, and guaranteeing that every part of your organization works in the same direction. As a result of this, operational efficiency is also increased, there is a decrease in errors and we have a more agile business environment.
Below are a few examples of workflows you can automate to save time and money.
Is SharePoint a Good Workflow Solution?
Of course, it is SharePoint Solution that is a perfect candidate to be considered as a workflow solution due to several distinctive reasons. First of all, it is very famous for its easier-to-use interface. The platform is intuitive and easy to navigate by users regardless of their level of skills making it not only a preference for IT professionals but also power users who want to have direct input. The option to use "point and click" to put into place workflows enables powerful and functional workflows to be set up quickly and even without the person involved having coding knowledge.
Reliability is another factor that separates SharePoint as a workflow solution from the competitor. The workflows to be designed on SharePoint are not only simple to install but also unlikely to disappear under normal circumstances. The stability of the system assures that the designed workflow will operate with minimal maintenance once it is configured. In the long run, this reduces the risk of interruptions of business processes that end up causing inefficiencies. Here are some of the other benefits of SharePoint:
# Purchase Requisitions
Resource utilization efficiency is very critical for any organization. However, efficiency should be applied as well as the workflow approval process. A slow approval process can be a major obstacle to smooth work which stops employees from getting the required tools and resources on time to complete their tasks properly. This helps in improving the performance, while also ensuring checks are maintained at a proper pace so that production comes out efficiently across the board.
# Processing Help-Desk Tickets
When an employee is encountered with a technical problem, it may be right away brought to a grinding halt and directly affect completion dates and output. Quick resolution of these support calls is essential to minimize downtime. A competent and agile helpdesk service handles issues very fast, helping maintain the unobstructed workflow and preventing those business problems from turning from bumps in the road into roadblocks.
# Document Review and Approval
A documentary review and authorization is likely to be tedious, mainly when it involves other stakeholders who must necessarily review, modify, and finally agree on the content. Examples of documents are capital authorizations which are a go or no go for software development projects or advertising approvals that may be delayed or even lost in the shuffle. With a thorough system such as SharePoint workflows, the efficiency of document management can be taken to the next level as each document is accounted for no matter what stage of approval or archiving it is going through.
# Vacation Requests
Effective vacation request management is very important for sustaining routines and employees' well-being. The ignoring or losing of a request can happen during an unstructured process, resulting in frustration and appointment date scheduling conflicts. Establishing a simple process where supervisors get instant notifications, vacation requests are handled promptly, and are communicated to HR for leave tracking speeds up the whole process. It should have a calendar feature that automatically lists the approved vacations hence keeping the entire team informed always and allowing planning and coverage during employee's absence
# Customizing SharePoint
Although SharePoint offers a system that is capable of managing internal content and workflows, every business has unique challenges, and standard solutions can’t fully meet those requirements. This can be achieved by tailoring SharePoint to the respective needs and in this way, new efficiencies can be obtained and a higher level of performance can be reached.
The developers can develop new modules and integrate other systems if they have the skills. Using SharePoint, one can create customized solutions that help in solving enterprise problems that might not be addressed by standard SharePoint services.
SharePoint or Custom Solution?
SharePoint is a powerful all-in-one solution for companies with strong document management, workflow, and collaboration functionalities. While at first, it may seem like an overburdening to acquire all the controls and functionalities of this rather complicated application, the effort invested in learning SharePoint is ultimately justified. While the platform is versatile enough that organizations can customize or scale the system according to their requirements, at the same time it avoids the hassle of developing the solutions from scratch again.
# Pros and Cons of Developing a Custom Solution
A custom solution that is designed to respond exactly to the business processes is an appealing idea, but the development of such a system from scratch is a significant activity too. As opposed to having to create complex formulas like with Excel's macros, creating your individualized workflow system necessitates detailed planning, development, and continuous maintenance to make sure everything functions together and there are no issues. Such a procedure is not only time-consuming, but can also be the most expensive one and it requires a great deal of resources for development, testing, and implementation.
# Comparing SharePoint and Custom Solutions
Contrary to the speculative software of QuickBooks for accounting, SharePoint saves a substantial amount of both time and effort that goes into setting up as it has a pre-built established platform. It is created to be a simple tool for business environments, providing widgets and templates that can be tailored to fit a particular organization. After being set up, SharePoint blends into the workspace and most of the time it becomes similar to the custom solutions that can be only distinguished by their functionality and user experience.
Conversely, a custom solution is entirely device-specific and impossible to control and hence always needs changes to remain functional and secure as operational demands change and technology advances
What to Keep In Mind When Advising SharePoint
It is essential that you carefully assess some key factors before suggesting SharePoint as a solution to make sure it is in line with your company's long-term technology strategy and enduring operational needs.
# Comprehensiveness and Longevity
Decide whether SharePoint is a holistic solution that would consistently work for your organization in the achievement of its long-term objectives. What is the purpose of this development project? Does it aim to meet future as well as current needs?
# Market Acceptance
Evaluate if SharePoint is a popular system in your industry. The wide acceptance reflects a proven and reliable solution.
# Availability of Expertise
Focus on whether the supply of skilled professionals who can support SharePoint’s implementation and maintenance is adequate. This implies assessing whether you can depend on the available internal talent instead of the high cost and limited availability of outside experts which may probably be enough
# Internal Capability
Research if staff in-house has the proficiency to deliver the fundamental features of SharePoint without relying heavily on external consultants. Thus, it has a direct impact on both capital and operational expenses.
# Cost-effectiveness and Speed of Implementation
Assess the possibility that SharePoint offers a cheap and fast implementation. This involves looking at the time and working hours that are needed to set the start.
# Compatibility with Existing Technology
Make sure that Sharepoint works correctly with your existing technology stack. For organizations that have embraced Microsoft products, SharePoint is most likely to be compatible, thus making the changes to be incorporated easier.
# Scalability
Make sure that SharePoint is scalable enough to grow with your business. The crucial thing here is that the solution needs to be flexible and needs only updating rather than reconstructing.
Of course, every situation is different, but we believe the answer to these questions is a resounding ‘yes’. SharePoint hits the sweet spot. It provides the balance between being able to customize a workflow solution to your needs and an out-of-the-box solution that’s quick and cost-effective to use.
