Over at InformationWeek this morning I found a rare article touting the "5 SharePoint Pitfalls to Avoid". And after reading it, I couldn't help but think finally, someone gets it!
When SharePoint is deployed as an after thought or by teams that barely understand SharePoint, that's when mistakes happen. While the article touches on a few of the mistakes made by organizations deploying SharePoint, the thing that was most interesting is that it calls to attention the fact that organizations are starting to encounter a considerable number of issues that could have been avoided.
Here's a list of some of the issues I've seen over the years for better or worse [hey, if the truth hurts];
1. Misunderstanding diskspace requirements.
2. Misunderstanding RAM requirements.
3. Lack of planning, or improper planning.
4. No governance plans.
5. Thinking SharePoint is just another development platform, and using it as one.
6. Believing SharePoint can take care of itself after it's off the ground.
7. Thinking you don't need a SharePoint Administrator.
8. Making SharePoint just another one of IT's responsibilities.
9. Lack of understanding about what can and does impact performance.
10. Not realizing that SQL is the heart of SharePoint.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
How Remote SharePoint Administration Works - Part One
Why would you want to hire a SharePoint Administrator to work remote?
Perhaps the first question to ask before answering how remote administration works, is why? The concept of someone working in an office, sitting at a desk, and being "seen" is an old, outdated one. Without going into all the reasons why companies save space and money having workers who telecommute, we'll focus on why you would want a remote SharePoint Admin.
The answer is simple. There is a real need for SharePoint workers these days. All you have to do is go to one of the top job search sites and type in SharePoint and you'll see that it's one of the hottest jobs right now. If you're a SharePoint professional and you post a resume, you'll also see a huge increase in phone calls from recruiters. [I sometimes get 15 or more calls a day] So, to the point [no pun intended] hiring a SharePoint professional remote is smart. You tap into all those people like me that are locked into their geographic location, yet can provide you with the talent and skills you need.
Here's the other thing. Many companies are installing, or planning to install or migrate to SharePoint 2010. They calculate it would take three to six months to get the job done and they "sic" recruiters on everyone asking for "contract work" at their location on a temporary basis. Okay, let's be honest. Yes, there are SharePoint gypsies out there for hire who don't have families or live out of a suitcase contract to contract. Chances are, while there are exceptions, you won't get the best talent hiring a SharePoint gypsy. Yet, you know the old saying, you get what you pay for. And if you want temporary workers, you get the temporary attitude as most people whether they admit it or not don't like living six months in one city, then three months in another, and so on and so on. Final truth..... many companies that hire temporary contract SharePoint workers [or any others for that matter], end up disappointed and go through several contractors before the project is done. Not a good scenario.
Where do we work anyway?
That's the real question here. Where do we work? In most cases, the SharePoint Administrator spends all his or her time in front of a monitor working "remote" tied into the server where SharePoint is installed. So realistically, the "job" of SharePoint Administration is at the computer......accessing a server. It's not the desk or the office. Inherently, all SharePoint jobs are remote. Whether they are working from an office at your location, or their office at home. And the only reason more are not working remote is the "stigma" that remote workers don't work! But is that really true? Or is the proof that the job gets done? And isn't that what you really want anyway?
You don't want to go through three or four contractors in a six month period to get a project done. So don't. Consider looking at the ENTIRE SharePoint talent pool and consider hiring a professional that works remote, and is happy to do so without all the expense of travel.
But how does remote SharePoint Administration work? Ahhhh, that my friends is a question for part two of this series. Stay tuned!
Perhaps the first question to ask before answering how remote administration works, is why? The concept of someone working in an office, sitting at a desk, and being "seen" is an old, outdated one. Without going into all the reasons why companies save space and money having workers who telecommute, we'll focus on why you would want a remote SharePoint Admin.
The answer is simple. There is a real need for SharePoint workers these days. All you have to do is go to one of the top job search sites and type in SharePoint and you'll see that it's one of the hottest jobs right now. If you're a SharePoint professional and you post a resume, you'll also see a huge increase in phone calls from recruiters. [I sometimes get 15 or more calls a day] So, to the point [no pun intended] hiring a SharePoint professional remote is smart. You tap into all those people like me that are locked into their geographic location, yet can provide you with the talent and skills you need.
Here's the other thing. Many companies are installing, or planning to install or migrate to SharePoint 2010. They calculate it would take three to six months to get the job done and they "sic" recruiters on everyone asking for "contract work" at their location on a temporary basis. Okay, let's be honest. Yes, there are SharePoint gypsies out there for hire who don't have families or live out of a suitcase contract to contract. Chances are, while there are exceptions, you won't get the best talent hiring a SharePoint gypsy. Yet, you know the old saying, you get what you pay for. And if you want temporary workers, you get the temporary attitude as most people whether they admit it or not don't like living six months in one city, then three months in another, and so on and so on. Final truth..... many companies that hire temporary contract SharePoint workers [or any others for that matter], end up disappointed and go through several contractors before the project is done. Not a good scenario.
Where do we work anyway?
That's the real question here. Where do we work? In most cases, the SharePoint Administrator spends all his or her time in front of a monitor working "remote" tied into the server where SharePoint is installed. So realistically, the "job" of SharePoint Administration is at the computer......accessing a server. It's not the desk or the office. Inherently, all SharePoint jobs are remote. Whether they are working from an office at your location, or their office at home. And the only reason more are not working remote is the "stigma" that remote workers don't work! But is that really true? Or is the proof that the job gets done? And isn't that what you really want anyway?
You don't want to go through three or four contractors in a six month period to get a project done. So don't. Consider looking at the ENTIRE SharePoint talent pool and consider hiring a professional that works remote, and is happy to do so without all the expense of travel.
But how does remote SharePoint Administration work? Ahhhh, that my friends is a question for part two of this series. Stay tuned!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
SharePoint Administrator For Hire
I currently have time on my calendar to do some remote training, SharePoint administration, create some custom SharePoint lists, libraries, list forms or consulting tasks focused on existing SharePoint deployments or perhaps a migration or pre-planning deployment of SharePoint 2010.
Please contact me [you can find contact information in my profile] for more information and rates.
Please don't expect the average IT or developer guy. I'm a SharePoint professional from a different perspective. Actually, I come from the other side of the desk having more in common with end users and their problems, than IT departments and developers who have more on their minds than just SharePoint. But more on that later as I get more information out here.
Please contact me [you can find contact information in my profile] for more information and rates.
Please don't expect the average IT or developer guy. I'm a SharePoint professional from a different perspective. Actually, I come from the other side of the desk having more in common with end users and their problems, than IT departments and developers who have more on their minds than just SharePoint. But more on that later as I get more information out here.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Welcome to Simply SharePoint!
Simply SharePoint consists of ramblings, resources, and help getting back to basics when it comes to deploying one of the hottest tools out there peddled by Microsoft. All too often organizations jump in with both feet not knowing anything [or very little] about what SharePoint is, what it can do, what end user needs are, and what "should" be done. The end result is just another expensive development platform that isn't anything like what everyone expected.
I've been working with SharePoint on the front lines since before it was known as "SharePoint" and have seen and experienced when it works........ and when it gets totally out of control. Stay tuned and I'll be developing [I hate that word, really I do] more information on what Simply SharePoint is all about.
Trust me, complex doesn't mean better. Stop buying licenses for third party tools and start leveraging what SharePoint and SharePoint Designer can do out of the box. If you want to talk about what your organization is planning to do with SharePoint, or wants to do...... stop and don't listen to what everyone else is doing. Keep it simple, keep it productive!
I've been working with SharePoint on the front lines since before it was known as "SharePoint" and have seen and experienced when it works........ and when it gets totally out of control. Stay tuned and I'll be developing [I hate that word, really I do] more information on what Simply SharePoint is all about.
Trust me, complex doesn't mean better. Stop buying licenses for third party tools and start leveraging what SharePoint and SharePoint Designer can do out of the box. If you want to talk about what your organization is planning to do with SharePoint, or wants to do...... stop and don't listen to what everyone else is doing. Keep it simple, keep it productive!
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