Is SharePoint Premium
right for your organisation?

The way we work these days means that a powerful content management system has never been more critical. There is a lot of chatter about the digital workplace and digital transformations, which really means that the way we work is digital, centralised, collaborative, and even automated. To achieve this, a business needs the right set-up and powerful tools. The right tools will depend on your business and budget.

So, let’s talk SharePoint Premium as it is a big player in this space.

What is SharePoint Premium?

To state the obvious, SharePoint Premium is the advanced SharePoint package. It takes SharePoint to the next level using AI-driven automation and increased security features. It’s like the V8 engine, with lots of power and capabilities to manage large and complex data. It uses the robust foundations of Microsoft Syntex with next-level artificial intelligence capabilities. This advancement marks a leap in using technology for smarter content classification and management, and efficiencies with workflow processes. Unlike the standard version, the advanced features means that it understands data and interacts with it, providing deeper insights and smarter workflows. This leads to a more streamlined, intuitive user experience, where complex tasks are simplified, and collaboration is made more effective and engaging. And to top it off, the security features provide you with more confidence on who and how your content is being managed.

Key Features of SharePoint Premium

Content Processing: SharePoint Premium analyses, tags, and organises files with a precision that mimics the meticulousness of a dedicated human team, but at a scale and speed of a superhero. Imagine a system that not only sorts your files but understands their types of content, context, and relevance to your operations. This intelligent processing converts sprawling data into strategic assets, making information retrieval not just efficient but intuitive. This is perfect for processing content like invoices and contracts but can manage the content at scale through automation.
Environment Governance: Microsoft has a commitment to data sovereignty and regulatory compliance. This isn’t just about setting permissions; it’s about understanding access patterns and adapting to them. The platform offers a multi-layered approach to governance that enables businesses to control access and monitor data movements with granular precision. Whether it’s internal collaboration or external sharing, SharePoint Premium ensures that your governance strategy is proactive, responsive, and most importantly, aligned with global compliance standards.
Translation, Autofill, and PII Detection: SharePoint Premium breaks language barriers with its translation feature, ensuring that multilingual teams collaborate seamlessly. The autofill functionality is a nod to productivity, reducing manual input and the associated human error. PII detection is crucial in safeguarding personal information, providing peace of mind in an era where data breaches are not just inconvenient but can be existential threats to businesses. Together, these features create a trifecta to meet need of a modern workplace’s diverse and dynamic nature with seamless integration.
Content Governance Features: The content governance suite, inclusive of Data Access Governance reports, Restricted Access Control policies, and Content Event Insights, offers an eagle-eye view of your organisation’s content. It empowers organisations with the right tools to enforce and audit their data governance policies effectively. Whilst these features assist with mitigating external threats, they also provide insights into internal content flows. This ensures that every piece of data is a building block for business growth and not a potential liability.

Who Needs SharePoint Premium?

Deciding if SharePoint Premium is the right fit involves considering organisational requirements and the challenges faced with current systems:

For Data-Heavy Workflows: Businesses inundated with data that necessitates meticulous organisation will find SharePoint Premium’s AI-powered document processing and tagging invaluable. The reduction in manual tasks translates directly to efficiency gains and cost savings.
For Enhanced Data Governance: If rigorous data governance aligns with your objectives, particularly in industries where compliance is non-negotiable, SharePoint Premium’s advanced governance features offer a strong advantage. It provides comprehensive control and oversight, ensuring information is secure and managed according to policy.

The Business Case for SharePoint Premium

The considerations for SharePoint Premium is different for every business. Some organisations have more data than others, and others may have more complex governance requirements. Another business may have complex workflows that require more attention and security. And every business has budget considerations!

Not-for-Profit Organisations: For not-for-profit entities, every dollar saved is a dollar that can be channelled towards making a difference. SharePoint Premium steps in as a strategic ally, offering robust document management and data security solutions that are not only cost-effective but also reduce operational complexities. By streamlining document processing and enhancing collaboration, these organisations can allocate more resources towards their mission, amplifying their impact without increasing their costs.
Professional Services: Client confidentiality and seamless collaboration are the lifeblood of this industry. SharePoint Premium caters to these needs with heightened security measures and sophisticated collaboration tools that handle high volumes of sensitive information with finesse. It’s designed to nurture client trust by safeguarding their high-value documents while fostering internal teamwork to drive service excellence.

A Case for ROI and Performance and Security Gains

Organisations that deploy SharePoint Premium typically observe a significant uptick in productivity, attributable to its automated workflows and intelligent content management. Its compliance and security features are tailored to pre-emptively address regulatory changes, ensuring that businesses are not merely reactive but are steps ahead in their industry. This saves time, money and compliance headaches! The extra security embedded in SharePoint Premium shields data and promotes ongoing compliance. This investment goes a step further and reinforces your brand’s reputation as a secure and trustworthy entity.

Decision-Making

SharePoint Premium is an excellent business tool that aligns with modern demands for agile, secure, and intelligent content lifecycle management. Its advanced AI capabilities, combined with comprehensive governance and processing features, make it a compelling choice for businesses looking to elevate their digital infrastructure and content management platform. But deciding it if is the right option for your organisation is a complex process. It may require some exploration of the requirements and risks, a review of the current business processes and inefficiencies, an audit of security current state and needs, and an analysis of the ROI. As business and technology consultants, we support business juggle these demands to make the best decision for their needs. Consider it a helping hand with some difficult decision making!

Is SharePoint Premium right for your organisation?