17 Feb

Microsoft 365 and Azure are powerful tools that can help improve the performance of any business. Microsoft 365 is a suite of productivity tools, while Azure is a cloud computing platform that can help businesses manage and store data. Together, they provide a powerful set of tools that can help businesses improve their efficiency, security, and collaboration.

One of the biggest benefits of using Microsoft 365 and Azure is improved productivity. Microsoft 365 includes tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, which can help employees work more efficiently and collaboratively. Azure provides businesses with a flexible and scalable cloud computing platform, which can help reduce IT costs while also providing access to a wide range of services.

Another major benefit of using Microsoft 365 and Azure is enhanced security. Microsoft 365 includes powerful security features, such as multi-factor authentication, data encryption, and advanced threat protection. Azure provides businesses with a secure and reliable cloud computing platform, which can help protect against data breaches and other security threats.

Finally, Microsoft 365 and Azure can help businesses stay competitive in an ever-changing market. By providing access to powerful productivity and cloud computing tools, businesses can become more agile and responsive to changes in the market. This can help them stay ahead of the competition and improve their bottom line.

In summary, Microsoft 365 and Azure are powerful tools that can help businesses improve their productivity, security, and competitiveness. By leveraging these tools, businesses can become more efficient, secure, and flexible, allowing them to better meet the needs of their customers and stakeholders.

01 Feb

Business-related benefits of using Microsoft Power Apps in 2023

by localadmin@

in Microsoft PowerApps, SharePoint 2016, SharePoint 2019, SharePoint Online

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Microsoft Power Apps is a low-code platform that enables businesses to quickly build custom applications that can run on any device, web browser, or within Microsoft Teams. Power Apps are designed to work with a wide range of data sources, including Microsoft services such as Dynamics 365, Excel, and SharePoint.

In 2023, Power Apps have become an essential tool for businesses to automate and streamline various processes, such as workflows, data collection, and reporting. Here are a few actual uses of Microsoft Power Apps:

Custom forms: Power Apps can be used to create custom forms for data collection, such as employee feedback, customer surveys, or event registration.
Workflow automation: Power Apps can be used to automate tasks such as approvals, task assignments, and data entry. This helps businesses save time and reduces the risk of errors.
Data analysis and reporting: Power Apps can connect to a wide range of data sources and can be used to create dashboards, reports, and charts. This provides businesses with real-time insights into their data and helps them make informed decisions.
Mobile applications: Power Apps can be used to create mobile applications that can be used on smartphones and tablets. This makes it easier for businesses to access and manage their data on the go.
Collaboration and communication: Power Apps can be used within Microsoft Teams to facilitate collaboration and communication between team members.

In conclusion, Microsoft Power Apps is a versatile platform that provides businesses with the tools to create custom applications that can help them streamline their processes, increase efficiency, and improve decision-making. With the growing demand for digital transformation, Power Apps is expected to continue playing a critical role in helping businesses achieve their goals in 2023 and beyond.

01 Feb

Google Cloud to SharePoint Migration – Best Practices

by localadmin@

in SharePoint 2016, SharePoint 2019, SharePoint Online

Comments

Migrating from Google Cloud to SharePoint can be a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. SharePoint provides a robust content management platform, but migrating data from Google Cloud to SharePoint requires a thorough understanding of the data, processes, and tools involved. To ensure a smooth migration, organizations must follow best practices to minimize disruption, ensure data integrity, and reduce the risk of data loss.

Plan the migration: A well-planned migration is the key to success. Start by defining the scope of the migration, identifying the data that needs to be migrated, and determining the timeline for the migration. Plan for contingencies such as unexpected downtime, system failures, and security risks.

Assess the current environment: Before migrating data from Google Cloud, assess the current environment to identify any potential issues that could arise during the migration. This includes analyzing the data structure, evaluating the customizations and configurations, and reviewing the access rights and permissions.

Choose the right tools: Choose the right migration tools that fit the organization’s needs. The tools should have the capability to transfer data accurately, preserve metadata, and handle complex customizations and configurations.

Test the migration: Before starting the migration, test the process to identify any potential issues and resolve them. Test migrations should include both a small-scale migration and a full-scale migration to verify that the process works as expected.

Communicate with stakeholders: Ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the migration process and the timeline. This includes communicating with users about the change and any impact on their work. It’s important to keep stakeholders informed throughout the migration process to ensure a smooth transition.

Monitor the migration: Monitoring the migration process is crucial to ensure that the migration is running smoothly and to identify any issues that may arise. Organizations should monitor the migration process to ensure that data is being transferred accurately and to ensure that the migration process is on track.

Document the migration: Document the migration process, including the tools used, the steps followed, and any issues encountered. This documentation will be useful for future migrations and for resolving any issues that may arise.

In conclusion, migrating from Google Cloud to SharePoint requires careful planning and execution. By following best practices, organizations can ensure a smooth migration, minimize disruption, and reduce the risk of data loss. Organizations should choose the right tools, communicate with stakeholders, monitor the migration process, and document the migration to ensure a successful outcome.

18 Mar

SPFx Overview

by Ahmed Ali

in SharePoint 2016, SharePoint 2019, SharePoint Online

Comments

SharePoint Framework(SPFx) is a client side development framework that leverages CSOM, REST APIs, Microsoft Graph and more. Development is done through utilizing open source technologies like Node.js, Gulp, Yeoman, VSCode and more. It supports SharePoint Online and SharePoint 2016 (SP2)+ on-premise solutions.

Key benefits of using SPFx are

It utilizes context of current user.
It enables use any JavaScript Framework. React, Knockout, Angular etc
Controls are responsive.
Web parts can be used by both classic and modern pages

Previous models like JSLink and SP Add-in had their limitations. JSLink restricted scripts if not marked with “Safe for Scripting” and Add-ins were using IFrame model which are inefficient in modern websites.

Ready to try SPFx. Start with Hello World

17 Jan

SharePoint Hybrid Implementation – Overview

by Ahmed Ali

in Microsoft, Office 365, SharePoint 2016, SharePoint Online

Comments

As Microsoft SharePoint Roadmap suggests that future innovations will be cloud inspired, Companies who have invested in their On Premise versions are considering to go hybrid as the first step towards embracing Cloud. Using Hybrid Approach, Enterprises can continue to use their existing portal while gradually migrating it to Cloud.

Following capabilities can be achieved in hybrid implementation.
1. Hybrid Search
2. Hybrid Sites

a. Hybrid Profiles
b. One Drive for Business
c. Hybrid Extranet Sites

3. Hybrid BCS
4. Duet Enterprise Online
There are three ways to achieve hybrid implementations.

1. One-Way outbound Topology (SharePoint on-premises version can query SharePoint Online)
2. One-Way Inbound Topology (SharePoint Online can be connected to SharePoint On-Premises)
3. Two-Way bidirectional Topology (SharePoint On-premises and SharePoint Online can access each other functionalities)

In this blog, I will focus on Hybrid Search using One-Way Outbound topology.

Hybrid Search

Hybrid Search can be achieved using three steps.

Directory Synchronization
Server to Server Trust & Identity Management
Search Service Integration

Directory Sync

Three Identity Models are available. We will focus on Synchronized identity for simplicity.

Cloud Identity
Synchronized Identity
Federated Identity

In Synchronized Identity, Identities are managed in on-premises Active Directory and are synchronized to Azure AD through Azure AD Connect. Synchronization also sync password hashes.

Here is given the steps to achieve directory synchronization.

Enable Directory Synchronization in you tenant (Office 365)
Add On-Premise domain (user suffix) to Office 365 Tenant. (Domain Name should be publicly accessible for reverse sync)
Update DNS Records (MX / TXT records) in your Domain Hosting Panel.
Download and Run the User Sync from Tenant
In Office 365, Import users / groups and validate.
Activate Users and Assign Licenses.

Server to Server Trust & Identity Management

Trust between SP On-Premises and Office 365 tenant (Server to Server) can be established by following below steps.

1. Replace STS Certificate (All on-premises servers)

Set-SPSecurityTokenServiceConfig –ImportSigningCertificate

2. Establish Remote Windows Power Shell Connection

enable-psremoting new-pssession Import-Module MSOnline –force –verbose Import-Module MSOnlineExtended –force –verbose

3. Add Service Principal for on-premises domain

Connect-MsolService New-MsolServicePrincipalCredential –AppPrincipalId -Type asymmetric –Usage Verify –value $SPOnlinePrincipal = Get-MsolServicePrincipal – AppPrincpalId $SPOnlineNameSpace = $SPOnlinePrincipal.ServicePrincipalNames $SPOnlineNameSpace.Add(“PrincipalID/PrincipalCommonName”) Set-MsolServicePrincipal –AppPrincipalId -ServicePrincipalNames $SPOnlineNameSpace

4. Establish On-Premise Farm Trust with ACS

$SPContextID = (Get-MsolCompanyInformation).ObjectID Register-SPAppPrincipal –site -nameIdentifier <SPPrincipalID@SPContextID> -displayName “SharePoint Online”

5. Set Authentication Realm

Set-SPAuthenticationRealm –realm

6. Configure Proxy in On-premises farm

New-SPAzureAccessControlServiceApplicationProxy –Name “ACS” –MetaDataServiceEndPointUri “https://accounts.accesscontrol.windows.net/metadata/json/1/” –DefaultProxyGroup New-SPTrustedSecurityTokenIssuer –MetadataEndpoint “https://accounts.accesscontrol.windows.net/metadata/json/1/” –IsTrustedBroker –Name “ACS”

Search Service Integration

Search Integration process is based on 3 parts.

1. Configure Result Source
Search Result Source can be configured in SharePoint on-premises by Adding Result Source in Site Collection Administration. Protocol should be chosen as Remote SharePoint. Credential should be chosen as Default Authentication. In case of Inbound, Select SSO ID.

2. Create Query Rule
You can filter when to trigger remote Query Processor by creating a Query Rule. Specific words can be added as triggers.
You can also specify where the result set should appear. By Default, all remote results come on top for easier identification. It can also be set to come in between complete result set.

3. Validate Query Rule
It’s an optional step to verify whether Query Rule has been configured properly and is returning correct result.

13 Apr

SharePoint Online – New Library Features

by Ahmed Ali

in Microsoft, SharePoint Online

Comments

As discussed in last blog regarding UI consistency, Microsoft has recently released similar UI for document library in SharePoint Online that was in Office 365 – One Drive.

As I didn’t enable the Office 365 First Release, my SharePoint Online environment didn’t automatically had this feature available. In order to experience it, I enabled the Office 365 First Release Program. First Release enables the immediate adaption of new features as soon as they become available. On the contrary, standard release is received when entire Office 365 community receives it.

Once First Release Experience is enabled (I selected First Release – Entire Organization. You can also select First Release – Choose selected people), Document Libraries will automatically give you option for Check Out button.

Clicking on checkout will change your document library UI to Office 365 One Drive for Business UI that was rolled back in Oct 2015.

There are multiple enhancements done in new look. Here is a glimpse over those features & functionalities.

Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs are designed intelligently. As you dive deep into folders, initial parent folders will be hidden in … and as you click on that, it will reveal the parent folder in modal dropdown view.

Submitted to Microsoft User Voice: Large folder names shall be either adjusted by giving higher weight age to last entry or to make folder name visible on breadcrumb hover (already submitted using Microsoft user voice).

Centillion-SharePoint-Online-Enhanced-Document-Library-Breadcrumbs-LargeFileNames

Navigation

Extended Navigation will be enable as soon as you make a selection. Different options will appear for single / multiple selection. Here are the key highlights for single file selection. On selecting a file and click on information icon (I) in top right, it generates a preview for known file type. You can browse through the document through this preview pane. Other attributes like Name, Title, Created By, Modified By, Version History, File Type, and Path will be displayed below preview pane in right section. Under sharing option, user can share the file directly by specifying the user or can share global read access link or global edit access link for selected file. Users can also get this link by clicking Get Link in top navigation.

Frequently accessed documents can be pinned by selecting Pin option in top navigation. It automatically generates the image of the document.

Submitted to Microsoft User Voice: When documents are pinned, it generates an automatic image which doesn’t always communicate the document essence effectively. If a user can attach a picture instead of automatic picture, this shall give a nice look and feel along with effective usability.

Links

Using link feature, user can link a file from another SharePoint Online site or from One Drive and use this artifact along with its entire properties and workflows functionality. Link will automatically be security trimmed.

Views

User can choose among list and grid views. Other custom changes to views are similar.

Here is one example of Group by – Created by

Views’ fields can be changed by clicking … on top right in list view. In order to do the same in grid view, first click on arrange that shall make the views’ field appear and then click on same … icon

Upload Folders

One of the great features is the functionality of recursive folder upload. It uploads folders, subfolder and their files.

Submitted to Microsoft User Voice: After folder upload using drag drop is completed, view does not refresh itself automatically to show uploaded folder.

Move-to and Copy-to

An intuitive way for Move to and Copy to has made it easier for users to copy / move the files among other folders.

Submitted to Microsoft User Voice: Move to and Copy to do not render if Group by in views is selected.

Switching Back to Classic

If for any reason (custom code / hard coded css fixes etc), you would like to switch back to classic version, you can go back by clicking to Switch to Classic View in bottom left of screen.

Conclusion

Overall, I am glad to see new features and functionality. It seems that Microsoft has taken end user perspective into consideration and finally presented with much needed User Interface and Features.

SharePoint Online

How Microsoft 365 and Azure can improve Productivity

Business-related benefits of using Microsoft Power Apps in 2023

Google Cloud to SharePoint Migration – Best Practices

SPFx Overview

SharePoint Hybrid Implementation – Overview

Hybrid Search

Directory Sync

Server to Server Trust & Identity Management

Search Service Integration

SharePoint Online – New Library Features

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