Why Outsource SharePoint Development?
Introduction
SharePoint is a powerful platform that enables organizations to create websites, intranets, and collaboration portals. It offers a wide range of features and capabilities that can be customized to meet specific business needs. However, developing and maintaining a SharePoint solution requires specialized skills and expertise.
In this article, we will explore the benefits of outsourcing SharePoint development and why it can be a strategic decision for organizations. We will discuss the advantages of working with a SharePoint development agency, the benefits of custom SharePoint development, and the value of managed SharePoint services.
Advantages of Working with a SharePoint Development Agency
Outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency can offer several advantages for organizations. Here are some key benefits:
1. Expertise and Experience
A SharePoint development agency has a team of experienced professionals who specialize in SharePoint development. They have in-depth knowledge of the platform and stay updated with the latest trends and best practices. By outsourcing SharePoint development, organizations can leverage the expertise of these professionals and ensure the successful implementation of their SharePoint projects.
2. Cost Savings
Outsourcing SharePoint development can result in significant cost savings for organizations. Hiring and training an in-house SharePoint development team can be expensive, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. By outsourcing, organizations can avoid the costs associated with recruitment, training, salaries, benefits, and infrastructure. They can also benefit from the flexibility of scaling resources up or down based on project requirements.
3. Time Efficiency
Developing a SharePoint solution requires time and effort. By outsourcing SharePoint development, organizations can save time and focus on their core business activities. A SharePoint development agency can handle all aspects of the development process, including requirements gathering, design, development, testing, and deployment. This allows organizations to accelerate the implementation of their SharePoint projects and achieve faster time-to-market.
4. Access to Specialized Skills
SharePoint development requires a diverse set of skills, including SharePoint customization, web development, user interface design, information architecture, and more. By outsourcing SharePoint development, organizations can gain access to a team of professionals with specialized skills in these areas. This ensures that the SharePoint solution is developed using industry best practices and delivers a seamless user experience.
5. Scalability and Flexibility
Outsourcing SharePoint development provides organizations with the flexibility to scale resources up or down based on project requirements. A SharePoint development agency can quickly allocate additional resources to meet tight deadlines or handle peak workloads. This scalability ensures that organizations can adapt to changing business needs and maintain high-quality SharePoint solutions.
Benefits of Custom SharePoint Development
Custom SharePoint development offers several benefits over out-of-the-box solutions. Here are some key advantages:
1. Tailored to Business Needs
Custom SharePoint development allows organizations to build solutions that are tailored to their specific business needs. Off-the-shelf SharePoint solutions may not fully meet the unique requirements of an organization. By customizing SharePoint, organizations can create a solution that aligns with their workflows, processes, and branding. This results in increased productivity, improved collaboration, and enhanced user satisfaction.
2. Integration with Existing Systems
Custom SharePoint development enables seamless integration with existing systems and applications. Organizations often have multiple systems in place, such as CRM, ERP, and HR systems. By customizing SharePoint, organizations can integrate these systems and create a unified platform that streamlines business processes and improves data visibility. This integration eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces the risk of errors.
3. Enhanced Security and Compliance
Custom SharePoint development allows organizations to implement robust security measures and ensure compliance with industry regulations. Off-the-shelf SharePoint solutions may not provide the level of security and compliance required by organizations, especially in highly regulated industries. By customizing SharePoint, organizations can implement advanced security features, such as role-based access control, encryption, and data loss prevention. This helps protect sensitive information and maintain regulatory compliance.
4. Improved User Experience
Custom SharePoint development enables organizations to create a user-friendly and intuitive interface. Off-the-shelf SharePoint solutions may have a generic interface that does not meet the specific needs of users. By customizing SharePoint, organizations can design a user interface that is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and optimized for productivity. This improves user adoption and satisfaction, leading to higher engagement and productivity.
5. Future-Proofing
Custom SharePoint development future-proofs organizations by providing the flexibility to adapt to changing business needs. Off-the-shelf SharePoint solutions may not offer the same level of flexibility and may require significant customization to meet evolving requirements. By customizing SharePoint, organizations can easily modify and extend the solution as their business grows and evolves. This ensures that the SharePoint solution remains relevant and continues to deliver value in the long term.
The Value of Managed SharePoint Services
In addition to outsourcing SharePoint development, organizations can also benefit from managed SharePoint services. Managed SharePoint services provide ongoing support and maintenance for SharePoint solutions. Here are some key advantages:
1. Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance
Managed SharePoint services include proactive monitoring and maintenance of SharePoint solutions. This ensures that the solution is always up and running, and any issues or performance bottlenecks are identified and resolved proactively. Regular maintenance activities, such as patching, updates, and backups, are performed to keep the SharePoint environment secure and optimized.
2. Technical Support
Managed SharePoint services provide organizations with access to technical support from SharePoint experts. In case of any issues or questions, organizations can rely on the expertise of the managed services provider to provide timely and effective support. This eliminates the need to maintain an in-house support team and ensures that any SharePoint-related issues are resolved quickly, minimizing downtime and disruption to business operations.
3. Scalability and Performance Optimization
Managed SharePoint services help organizations optimize the performance and scalability of their SharePoint solutions. The managed services provider can analyze the usage patterns and performance metrics of the SharePoint environment and make recommendations for optimization. This ensures that the SharePoint solution can handle increasing user loads and provides a seamless user experience, even during peak usage periods.
4. Backup and Disaster Recovery
Managed SharePoint services include regular backups and disaster recovery planning for SharePoint solutions. The managed services provider ensures that data is backed up regularly and can be restored in case of any data loss or system failure. This provides organizations with peace of mind knowing that their critical data is protected and can be recovered in the event of a disaster.
5. Continuous Improvement and Innovation
Managed SharePoint services focus on continuous improvement and innovation. The managed services provider can work closely with organizations to identify areas for improvement and implement new features and functionalities. This ensures that the SharePoint solution evolves with the changing needs of the organization and continues to deliver value over time.
Conclusion
Outsourcing SharePoint development can offer several benefits for organizations. Working with a SharePoint development agency provides access to expertise, cost savings, time efficiency, specialized skills, and scalability. Custom SharePoint development offers tailored solutions that align with business needs, integrate with existing systems, enhance security and compliance, improve user experience, and future-proof organizations. Managed SharePoint services provide ongoing support, proactive monitoring, technical support, scalability, performance optimization, backup, and disaster recovery. By outsourcing SharePoint development and leveraging managed SharePoint services, organizations can maximize the value of their SharePoint investments and achieve their business objectives.