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Demystifying SharePoint Development. Michael Atkins. Note:. This is a non-technical overview Some light technical background is given, to put things in context Some of the content is included for completeness, and will not be dwelt upon
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Demystifying SharePoint Development Michael Atkins
Note: • This is a non-technical overview • Some light technical background is given, to put things in context • Some of the content is included for completeness, and will not be dwelt upon • Demos and extended explanations will be given for the more typical “development” areas
Geek n. \ˈgēk\ • an unfashionable or socially inept person • a knowledgeable and obsessive enthusiast
Development is not a Dirty Word • Development frightens off many managers and decision-makers • Excessive technical enthusiasm is counter-productive • Communication and understanding are crucial • Technical wizardry must translate into business benefit
Types of SharePoint Development (I) • “Normal” SharePoint Customization • Using Templates • Branding and User Interface Development • SharePoint Designer List Views and Data Forms • Business Intelligence • Metadata / Content Management • Advanced Search Customization • InfoPath Forms
Types of SharePoint Development (II) • Workflows • Accessing External Data • Development of Web parts • Event Receivers • Timer Jobs • Client-side Data Access • SharePoint 2013 Apps
Technologies and Tools • Browser • SharePoint Designer • SQL Server • Visual Studio
Where the Action Happens • Browser • SharePoint Server(s) • Database • External Systems • The Internet
Why are Custom Developments Needed? • Improve access to and manipulation of SharePoint (and other) content • Modify the user interface to suit users’ needs Make the users’ jobs easier!
Buy or Build? • Good Question!
Getting Easier to Install • It is much easier now for Site Collection Administrators, as opposed to Farm Administrators, to install solutions
What to Watch Out For • Cost of development • Reliability of developers • Availability of skills • Surviving SharePoint version upgrades • Managing expectations
The Key… … is to have small(ish), focused developments, working with SharePoint, not replacing it
“Normal” SharePoint Customization • Logos; Themes; Custom Lists; List Views; Wiki Content; Web Parts; Navigation • Quick and easy (!) to get a working Intranet going
Using Templates • Lists; Sites • Create Consistency; Re-use work; Quick deployment
Branding and User Interface Development • Master Pages; Custom CSS; JavaScript • Corporate identity; Ease of use; Layout conveys logic
SharePoint Designer List Views and Data Forms • Custom Forms; Advanced Views; Composite Pages • Unlock power of data, through presentation and linking data
Business Intelligence • Summaries; Charts; Visualizations • Quick Access; Relevant Data; Visual Impact
Metadata / Content Management • Informal Tagging; Managed Metadata; Retention • Retrieval; Accuracy; Auditing
Advanced Search Customization • Custom Presentation; Custom Processing; FAST Search • Convenience; Intelligent Search
InfoPath Forms • “Pretty” (rich) Forms; Data linkage and lookup • Ease of use; Richness of content
Workflows • Enabling Business Processes within the SharePoint environment (often using Tasks) • Prompt alerts; Keeping track; Reporting
Accessing External Data • Business Connectivity Services (BCS) - External Data living in SharePoint • Easy lookups; Data kept up-to-date
Development of Web Parts • Custom Web Parts can access and display data in many different ways • Where SharePoint interface not fit for purpose
Event Receivers • Code that runs when something happens in SharePoint (like a new Item or Document being added) • Access or create content outside of current site
Timer Jobs • Code that runs at set times within the SharePoint environment • Useful for regular tasks, such as synchronizing data
Client-side SharePoint Data Access • Accessing SharePoint data directly, without using normal interface (JavaScript, desktop apps) • Use or interact with SharePoint data outside of normal SharePoint Lists or Web parts
SharePoint 2013 Apps • Downloadable “apps” that do useful things in SharePoint (extension of client-side data access) • Easy to distribute and install; Safe to run
Contact Me: • Mike Atkins • iTrend Business Solutions • 083 953 8548 • 031-261 8000 • atkins@itrend.co.za • www.itrend.co.za