How you can benefit from SharePoint and OneDrive

You’re probably familiar with Microsoft 365 and its suite of apps; it is used by businesses across the globe and maybe you already use it in your company. But are you using them all effectively, if even at all?

The tools available within Microsoft 365 are fuelling business growth in all industries. This is especially relevant to SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business. Both are much like DropBox for Business and Google Drive, except offer that slight more security, integration and professionalism. Microsoft has recently reported that over 85% of the Fortune 500 companies use SharePoint and OneDrive.

The capabilities within SharePoint and OneDrive are so beneficial to a business and its employees. Therefore, in order to help you to take full advantage of them and ensure you get the most from your investment of Microsoft 365, we have gone through both tools (SharePoint and OneDrive) in this blog.

SharePoint Online is a collaboration and management tools for businesses. The tool is mainly used internally for things such as Intranets, content management and team sites which form a secure place for employees to store, organise, share and access business information from/on any device. As the service is cloud-based, there is no need for on-site servers which require not only on-going maintenance but take up large amounts of space in-house. All that is required is a web browser and you’re good to go.

An outcome that is particularly prevalent among all businesses that use SharePoint is the increase in productivity it brings to employees, no matter where they are working. In a case study by Microsoft, Stephen Byrd, director of Technology Integration and Development at NASCAR commented “Using SharePoint Online, we created a brand-new intranet called Inside Track that employees use to collaborate simultaneously on documents, update spreadsheets in real-time and securely access the information they need on the road or from the track. Productivity is at a peak level in the company, and we’re setting up new races with maximum efficiency.”

Another outcome we love here at Serval IT Systems is the ability to keep employees across the company, in a variety of locations informed and engaged at all times via company-wide announcements. Every organisation has news to share and fortunately, SharePoint Online has redefined the intranet site experience. Microsoft has outlined some advances to SharePoint Online in a recent announcement – find out what they are here.

OneDrive for Business is a cloud storage space that connects businesses to all their files online in Microsoft 365. It comes as part of the Microsoft 365 subscription and makes file storage more efficient as well as secure than it ever has been before. One of our favourite outcomes of using OneDrive for Business is how employees are able to collaborate on all documents from anywhere with ease, with both individuals inside and outside of their organisation. All they need to do is send a secure link to the person/people they want to collaborate with.

Although other online storage options are available, OneDrive for Business is becoming increasingly innovative as we move forward in time and technology advances. Businesses across all industries are using the tool, where it has been favoured for its more mature offering, with an easy-to-use interface and excellent reliability.

By coupling both SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business with Microsoft 365, you will improve workplace technologies and business efficiencies, which will, in turn, assist you in forming a sustainable long-term growth strategy for your organisation.

If you’re already a user of Microsoft 365 but don’t have any in-house expertise to help you make the most of the tools, you may benefit from support from our experienced technicians.

If you’re yet to be a user of Microsoft 365 but love the sound of the tools surrounding it, why not get in touch to arrange for a month of free licenses from Serval IT Systems?