Microsoft SharePoint has been around since 2001 and is currently being used by almost 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies, but there are still a lot of misconceptions going around about how it works. It's time to clear those up. In the following infographic which can also be found
here, are 10 misconceptions about SharePoint and the truth behind them.
1. "SharePoint doesn't run on Macs and iPads." Actually it works just fine with Office for Macs. Alternatively, with Office Web Apps, you can use your iPad browser to view and edit documents with no extra installations.
2. "SharePoint should be managed by IT." While, yes, IT should monitor SharePoint, it is made to be managed by the business and driven by the users. It's not just a tool for techies.
3. "SharePoint is easy, just install it and see the benefits." While it's not difficult to learn to use it, you and your team will need a plan and training to get the most out of it.
4. "SharePoint is only a glorified file store." That is a part of what SharePoint has to offer, but it does more than just store and manage files. Investigate further to see what else you can do with it.
5. "SharePoint is for collaboration, not for running critical LOB systems." You can absolutely integrate your LOB systems on SharePoint's network. It even has the architecture to allow you to host third-party applications.
6. "It always looks like SharePoint." If you're worried about getting stuck with an unoriginal design, don't be. SharePoint 2013 makes it even easier to incorporate your corporate style into different-looking websites. Many websites use SharePoint and you can't even tell just by looking at it.
7. "Our IT department can install it." Your IT department could handle the default installation, but for a full scale deployment, you'll want a team of experts to figure out the best method.
8. "SharePoint shouldn't need custom development." There is a lot of functionality built right into SharePoint, but you'll want to add small custom developments to bring out the biggest benefits.
9. "Everyone's using it so we should." Don't just jump on the bandwagon before determining if it's right for your team. Sometimes specialist products are actually the best option to save money long-term.
10. "SharePoint is a one-off project." It may start out as a project, but it's intended to be used consistently with your business, growing and adapting along with your business needs. The more you keep working with it, the more you find it really pays off.
With a clearer understanding of SharePoint and its benefits, you can now use it more confidently and efficiently. If you hear any of these misconceptions being shared as truth, you now also have the knowledge to correct them.
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