Some SharePoint® users still claim there is no big
difference between this and the previous release, while others point to
potentially huge differences in what they see as critical areas.
So who's right?
Only an organization looking at the available options, paying attention
or not paying attention, can make what will ultimately prove to be
the right or wrong decision. Let's look at some SharePoint 2016
potential pros and cons.
Potential Upside
Those aware of SharePoint 2016 as "hybrid at the core" should look into
what that could mean for their businesses, but also beyond that to
discover what else the new release is. With its Zero Downtime feature,
better scalability, enhanced file management and, importantly,
improved UX (user experience), SharePoint 2016 could enhance your
communication and collaboration needs substantially.
The Need for Stability and Speed
Upgrading from SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint 2016 is faster and simpler
than upgrading from SharePoint 2010 to SharePoint 2013; and it's
ultimately more stable. More on that here. Also, search is faster and new and quicker ways
to create site and site collections are also available.
File
Management
When a document is moved to a different location, SharePoint 2016
ensures the links that pointed to that document will update automatically.
Users are also able to name files using special characters, such as
tilde, curly brackets and the ampersand, while also having file
names longer than 128 characters.
Scalability
Slowdown is often an issue when SharePoint is scaled up for more users
and/or content. SharePoint 2016 fixes the issue, which should be
taken onboard if you're growing quickly or anticipating growth and
wish to avoid problems in the future. Maximum file size, list view
threshold, limit on index items have all been increased so that
large quantities of data will be easier to manage. With that in
mind:
Zero Downtime
Zero Downtime is enabled when the server is set up with a MinRole
topology, or rather a topology with high availability. More on that here. Software updates come without any compromise of
service level agreements and the promise of minimized downtime and
user disruption.
Hybrid
SQL Server 2016 has been touted as "the first database born in the
cloud" and it backs that up with a complete database platform for hybrid
cloud. Your business has the option to build, deploy and manage
solutions across on-premises and cloud - with compute capacity,
virtually infinite storage and "Always Encrypted" technology for
data protection.
Enhanced UX
End User adoption is a big issue for many, so SharePoint 2016
introduces changes to the user interface to hopefully help solve the
problem. Elements from Office 365, like the Office 365 ribbon and the App
Launcher, along with a touch-friendly interface for mobile devices,
bring SharePoint into the new age of mobility and provide
work-from-anywhere flexibility.
Because your business is unique, you do need to get past all the hype
and the sweeping statements about SharePoint 2016 and get down to the
details. Only then will you really know if this investment of time
and money has the kind of potential returns to make it worthwhile.
Each positive and each negative is only really big or small based on
your needs, strategies, and long-term goals.
Potential downside
Let's make a nice, easy start and talk money. What does this investment
cost? A good question if you're ever going to evaluate the potential
returns for your business. Items to consider would be, for example,
migration of data and content, employee training and user-adoption of
new elements, buying or upgrading licenses.
For an investment many describe as not much different than previous
versions, the cumulative time-and-cost factor for the above examples may
be a decider. But is this version really not much different?
Foundation
As most readers of Bamboo Nation will almost certainly know, SharePoint
Foundation is the free, limited capability on-prem SharePoint
deployment - and not available with the new release. This could be
seen from the point of view that WSS/Foundation was initially
designed to create an easy entry into the world of SharePoint;
something that is now being covered by Office 365.
Single Server, anyone?
Installing software on a single server has been possible with
SharePoint - until now. SQL needs its own server. You may have the option,
though, of cloud server installation. Of course, the balancing
question would be: What does SQL give my business? See the section
above or read more here.
Customized Workflows
Companies with unique requirements (Are there really any without
those?), and who have opted for third-party software apps, may find tools
to be either incompatible with SharePoint 2016, or requiring upgrade
license fees. Again, balancing out the pros and cons of ROI against
time and cost is advisable.
SharePoint Designer and
InfoPath
The word "depreciation" has been swirling around Designer and InfoPath
for a long time, but it really boils down to the fact there is no new
client version of either. Still, if you use Designer 2013 (Quick
Tip: Visual Studio and PowerShell!) and InfoPath 2013, Microsoft
will support them through 2026.
Excel
Services
Excel Services and its associated intelligence capabilities will not be
hosted on SharePoint Server; however, Excel Services functionality
is part of Excel Online in Office Online Server. Learn more.
For more information on what's deprecated or removed from SharePoint
2016, go here.
For more information on new and improved features in SharePoint 2016,
go here.
To learn more about our SharePoint 2016 solutions, go here.
Posted
Jun
17 2016, 08:23 AM by
Pat
Brien |
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I'm a British copywriter who spent over 10 years living
and working in Paris, France, before moving to America, getting
married, and joining the Bamboo team.