Today Microsoft announced it had released SharePoint Server 2016 to manufacturing. The company’s emphasis in this latest release of its flagship communication and collaboration platform is on hybrid computing scenarios. For example, a search capability allows users to search content maintained both on-premise and in cloud-based Office 365.
SharePoint Server 2016 also integrates Project Server 2016 (licensed separately), allowing organizations to structure projects and tasks for tracking of deliverables across SharePoint, Outlook and Project.
The new release is also intended to offer stronger data security and compliance through simpler configuration and administration for regulatory policies. IT gains more control over how to identify and manage sensitive content, such as credit card numbers or Social Security numbers.
On the user side, the updated version uses HTML5 to deliver a consistent experience across devices and screen sizes. It also provides for easier sharing of documents. On every page of a site is a “Share” button in the top right corner. When that’s clicked, the user can type in the names of the people to share the file, and it’s taken care of. And a durable links feature has been added since the January release candidate to ensure that file links still operate even when it has been renamed or moved to a new location.
“As a part of Microsoft’s broader ambition to reinvent productivity, we are on a mission to make SharePoint more simple, mobile, intelligent and secure to help customers unlock the value of having it as an integrated part of Office 365,” wrote Seth Patton, general manager for the SharePoint and OneDrive product management team in a blog post. “This year, we will release significant new innovations spanning user experiences, document collaboration, mobile enhancements and platform improvements that will redefine modern content collaboration.”
He added that Microsoft would hold a live online event on May 4 to share its “vision and roadmap” for SharePoint.
A free RTM trial edition of SharePoint 2016 is available for download on the Microsoft site.
