Business Processes with SharePoint

Launched in 2001, Microsoft SharePoint has been used as a centralized document storage for team collaboration, but over the years it has evolved beyond its original purpose as a document-sharing and storage platform.   

Today, SharePoint has become an important tool in digital transformation, providing organizations with a powerful infrastructure to effectively manage data, and enhance collaboration. SharePoint functions as a central place where teams can store, share, and collaborate on documents.   

This platform is designed to overcome the challenges of traditional document storage and bring agility to work and collaboration. Users can create document libraries with clear structure and access privileges, making it easier to organize and manage documents.   

SharePoint also integrates Microsoft 365 tools, allowing users to edit documents simultaneously, thereby speeding up the workflow and reducing the time needed to complete work tasks. One of SharePoint's most powerful features is its ability to customize.  

Organizations can create custom lists, libraries, and workflows that reflect the specific needs of their business. This flexibility allows organizations to shape SharePoint according to their requirements, thereby increasing efficiency and user experience.  

The Microsoft Power Platform consists of four core tools:

• Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents.
• Power BI is used for data analysis and the creation and visualizing of reports and panels.  
• Power Apps are used for the creation of custom business applications without the need for programming. Excel workbooks and SharePoint lists, can be used as data source.
• Power Automate is used for the automation of workflows, reducing the need for manual tasks and possible human errors. 
• Power Virtual Agents makes it possible to create chatbots without the need for coding. 

When Microsoft Power Platform is integrated with SharePoint, organizations get tools that allow them to easily connect and use data from SharePoint within the Power Platform. 

Power BI can connect directly to SharePoint lists, allowing users to easily visualize and analyze data from SharePoint in real time.  

Power Apps can use a SharePoint list or excel document as a data source to build custom apps. 

Power Automate is essential for automating workflows involving SharePoint lists and document libraries. For example, when a document is updated in the SharePoint document library, Power Automate can automatically notify specific team members via email or Teams chat. This automation saves time and reduces the possibility of human error.  

Power Virtual Agents allows the creation of chatbots to interact with data from SharePoint, providing users with quick and easy access to information. 

An organization uses SharePoint to track Leave requests. With Power Apps, we can create an application that allows users to easily submit a request, and with Power Automate we can automatically initiate a workflow to notify managers to check and approve/reject that request. Power BI can analyze data about requests, providing insights into the usage of leave from work.  

SharePoint and Power Platform are not just tools, they are key pillars of business process transformation. Their integration allows organizations to redefine the way they perform their tasks, aligning traditional information sharing with modern workflow automation.   

These tools simplify everyday tasks and lay the foundation for a more flexible and efficient business. By deploying SharePoint and Power Platform, organizations can create an agile environment that supports ongoing business needs. This integration is a practical step toward improving processes.