SharePoint Solutions
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Introducing SharePoint 2010
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 was officially launched on May 12, 2010. Habañero had some input into the development of this version, and we participated in Microsoft's Rapid Delivery Program to release four SharePoint solutions as part of the launch.
So what are the most significant improvements in the new version of SharePoint? Here's what we think:
- ability to build even better user experiences
- enhanced functionality in all core areas (business intelligence, content and records management, search)
- integration of Performance Point Server features
- better licensing options: standard and enterprise licences will be available for external websites
- enhanced Web 2.0 concepts and features throughout the platform including status features, social tagging, blog and wiki capabilities, and team sites that work like wikis
- ability for end-users (as opposed to just developers) to create mash-up applications
- support for multi-millions of records in lists and libraries
Leading the way with SharePoint
On the forefront of the market, many of our team members are recognized SharePoint experts. Our breadth of experience with the platform allows us to efficiently implement complex and highly branded user interfaces; successfully build extranet authentication; effectively deploy InfoPath forms and their related workflow; build workspaces to effectively collaborate with our clients; and repeat our successes again in future projects.
Our experience with MS SharePoint began with solutions we developed upon SharePoint Portal Server 2001 and has continued to grow ever since. We provided key product evaluation feedback on SharePoint Portal Server 2003 (and Windows SharePoint Services) to the MS team during the beta process.
After successfully completing four MOSS 2007 Rapid Development Programs (RDPs), Microsoft again invited us to participate in four SharePoint 2010 RDPs. Working closely with the Microsoft team, we showcased many of SharePoint 2010’s outstanding features and deepening our skills with this exciting new platform.
Microsoft features Habañero solutions
During his keynote presentation at the Microsoft Worldwide Launch of Office 2003 in New York City, Bill Gates featured a SharePoint-based solution we created for the Fraser Health Authority (FHA). Bill Gates's keynote address was broadcast to simultaneous launches held around the world.
In 2010, Habañero was invited to participate in Microsoft's official Canada launch of SharePoint 2010 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. There we unveiled the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Scout Portal. The SharePoint Solution enables Oilers Scouts, who are spread around the world, to collaborate on potential draft picks. The scouts can now browse player videos online, read detailed player stats, and review comments made by each of the scouts—all in real time.
Working with you on a project
The introduction of SharePoint 2010 as a viable platform for building enterprise-class portals and intranets forced us to refine many of our approaches to take advantage of new features. Our current approach is heavily based on our deep understanding of the opportunities and risks involved with creating enterprise solutions with SharePoint.
Our approach varies depending on your needs, but below are the common steps in our process:
1. Strategic planning and visioning phase
- conduct executive workshop
- conduct interviews as necessary
- complete technology gap analysis
- conduct business process review interviews
- conduct user education and gain buy-in (occurs throughout phase)
2. Design phase
- complete business process reengineering
- conduct detailed requirements analysis — content workshops, user interviews, stakeholder Interviews, IT interviews
- design user interface and complete CSS edits
- design information architecture (topics, areas, team sites) — card sorting workshop, IA creation, IA implementation, usability testing, IA maintenance document creation
- create document metadata, library, and list plan
- design search (Best Bets, keywords, if applicable)
- create change management and training plan
- create content authoring/migration plan
- conduct security planning — needs analysis, plan creation
- conduct infrastructure planning — needs analysis, plan creation
- conduct maintenance planning — needs analysis (backup, restoration, SP administration), plan creation
- identify and design custom components (planning for third-party products)
- conduct user education and gain buy-in (occurs throughout phase)
- train migration team
3. Development and integration phase
- set up infrastructure
- set up security
- configure backup and restoration
- configure SharePoint (search, audiences, Active Directory import, user roles, PDF support, etc.)
- build custom components — create site templates, missing functionality contingency, build components
- integrate third-party components
- conduct user education and gain buy-in (occurs throughout phase)
4. Deployment, training, and content authoring phase
- set up and configure content objects
- complete training (in addition to training of the migration team which occurs in the development and integration phase)
- deploy and migrate content
- iteratively review IA, metadata, security, and content objects
- create support contingency
- conduct user education and gain buy-in (occurs throughout phase)
All kinds of solutions for all kinds of business needs
We've completed hundreds of SharePoint projects with a wide variety of clients. These projects range from developing corporate intranets to achieving specific business goals, such as team collaboration and process automation. In addition to SharePoint, we have deep experience with Microsoft's related technologies: Content Management Server, BizTalk Server, and the Office System, including InfoPath.
As a versatile platform, SharePoint projects often fulfill a range of business needs. In many cases we were involved in a complete end-to-end SharePoint implementation. In others, we provided services such as strategic planning, information design, user interface design, custom application development, training, and education.
Find out about migration from SP 2003/CMS 2002 and other platforms to MOSS 2007.
Read about document and records management in MOSS.
Learn about Microsoft FAST Enterprise Search.
Need more information?
Contact Brian Edwards, Practice Leader, Collaboration
