Protected: SharePoint is the Fastest Growing Content Tool
November 24, 2011
Protected: Mobile Devices and SharePoint Have Opposing Views
November 23, 2011
Search Realities: No Fun for Sure
November 22, 2011
Our Overflight service pointed us to a write up called “Enterprise Search Explained. What about Next Steps?” We agree in principle with the article because enterprise search is convoluted. We don’t think the write up goes far enough. In fact, we think that the approach is part of the “search problem,” not part of the solution. There is a sharp distinction about the use of clicks, links, and popularity via user scoring with thumbs up, like buttons, and happy faces and the enterprise.
First, most enterprise content gets one or two clicks. Once in a while a document will generate a large number of clicks, usually for the World Cup pool or a change in the benefits program. The routine enterprise content is of interest to a small number of users. Popularity is zilch. There are few inbound and outbound links in most enterprise content. Finally, the notion that “big data” will unfailingly point the user to a hot trend is silly.
Second, in an organization the notion that “all” content is indexed is also wrong and, in many cases, illegal. It would be great to peer into the employment applications to find the colleague with the exact experience one needs for a proposal. The challenge is to lever out that information without dragging salary, employment reviews, and other “personal” data along for the ride. In some firms with government contracts, colleagues are not permitted to know about the existence of a project. I have worked at one firm where the president was not cleared to review the details of a major government contract.
Third, the marketing baloney that says, “Our system can index enterprise content” is an invitation to a cost overrun. How does a “free”, “low cost”, or over-hyped search system handle drawings from an AutoCAD system, pluck data from a legacy Ironside application running on “frozen” AS/400s, and tap into price changes in a traditional database system. The fact is that transforming and processing content is an expensive task. The phrase “you don’t know what you don’t know” applies to much in the enterprise search sector.
We are okay with systems from such firms as IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, and Polyspot when there are sufficient resources available. We know that established vendors like IBM can make “anything” work. IBM is a consulting firm as you may know. Even promising vendors like Polyspot can work wonders in an organization unable to locate information in a timely manner.
The trick is to keep ones feet on the ground and the realities firmly in mind. We know that’s not as much fun as making up crazy assertions. But a system which works is the objective in my opinion.
Stephen E Arnold, November 22, 2011
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Protected: CRM Integration Finally Arrives for SharePoint
November 22, 2011
A New Angle on Personalization
November 21, 2011
Web site personalization is a broad category with a variety of facets. Should you personalize? How? CMS Wire tackles this issue in “CXM Practices: Beneficial Personalization.”
Pete Iuvara weighs in:
I have seen this firsthand, the tremendous amount of benefits to personalizing content for your website’s audience. I am a firm believer in embracing a customer-centric implementation. It adds time-saving and relevant-first value for your website’s visitors . . . The key here is being transparent. Your visitors should know that personalization has been implemented in the hopes to benefit their experience first and foremost.
We have found that a user’s web site experience is greatly improved by the implementation of effective search. No matter how attractive a web site, if the search function does not allow the user to quickly remedy a query, the web site is essentially worthless. But personalization options, especially for search, can be costly and clunky. One option that we like is Fabasoft Mindbreeze and their InSite solution.
An attractive website is a company’s digital business card; its shop window. Surprise your website visitors with an intuitive search. Fabasoft Mindbreeze InSite is instantly ready for use as a Cloud service. It turns your website into a user-friendly knowledge portal for your customers. Fabasoft Mindbreeze InSite recognizes correlations and links through semantic and dynamic search processes. This delivers pinpoint accurate and precise ‘finding experiences.’
It’s hard to imagine an organization’s web site being any more essential to their overall image. It is often the first “stop” a potential customer makes when learning more about a company. Personalize your web space in a smart way, and take advantage of smart solutions like Fabasoft Mindbreeze to improve the overall user experience for your patrons.
Emily Rae Aldridge, November 21, 2011
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Protected: The Best SharePoint Denali-SQL 2012 Enhancements for Disaster Recovery
November 18, 2011
Protected: Overcome Taxonomy Writer’s Block in SharePoint 2010
November 17, 2011
Protected: SharePoint Creates a Thirst for Information
November 16, 2011
Mindbreeze Demystifies Enterprise
November 16, 2011
SharePoint is supposed to be a broad-based solution to solve the enterprise needs of most users. However, there seems to be quite a bit of buzz regarding additional trainings, conferences, and webinars geared toward equipping installers and users on the ins-and-outs of the program. One such list of recommendations can be found here, at “Staffing is key to a successful SharePoint Server 2010 deployment.”
The author, Brien Posey, acknowledges that SharePoint 2010 deployment is happening at a rapid rate, but many are finding the process to be lengthier and more complicated than expected. Here is some of his advice:
“The key to assessing SharePoint staffing needs rests with determining the kind of expertise required for deployment and its long-term administration, and then mapping those requirements to staff roles. Some of those roles can likely be filled by existing members of the IT staff, but organizations might have to make additional hires.”
Posey goes on to provide a lengthy list of staff positions for consideration, architects and administrators galore. Couple this recommendation with the recent boom in SharePoint training opportunities and one has to wonder if SharePoint is not as effortless as advertised. It seems implementation and usage are both fairly complicated.
We like what we are hearing about Fabasoft Mindbreeze and its suite of solutions. Implementation is reportedly intuitive and seamless. However, if problems do arise, solutions can quickly be found via brief tutorials or online training opportunities. Don’t be trapped by SharePoint. Consult the Mindbreeze suite of solutions and see if they might be the right choice for your organization.
*Disclaimer – Mindbreeze is currently upgrading their website. Links will be checked and if problems arise they will be updated. Thanks for your patience.
Emily Rae Aldridge, November 16, 2011
Protected: CRM 2011 Offers Custom Document Management for SharePoint
November 15, 2011
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