One of the biggest challenges around SharePoint is end user adoption. I have written about this many times including:
The classic SharePoint migration mistake
SharePoint Online migration – Pilers and Filers
SharePoint Online migration–Start up is key
End user adoption in the SMB space is more of a challenge but I get REALLY frustrated when I see resellers ‘implement’ SharePoint Online by simply copying user files to a single Document Library and then running away screaming that there is no opportunity with cloud services. SIGH.
One of the best sites you can point people to when it comes to learning about SharePoint is:
But I’ll bet you didn’t know that you can embed this content directly into a customers SharePoint Team Site. Here’s how.
Navigate to a SharePoint Online Team Site.
Select Site Contents from the Quick Launch menu on the left.
Select add an app
Select SharePoint Store at the bottom of the Quick Launch Menu.
If you get this warning select a language in the top right.
You should now see the store with apps inside as shown above.
Go to the search box in the top right and enter discover and select the magnifying glass to search.
Hopefully the first result should be Discover SharePoint BETA. Select this.
This will take you to a screen with more details about the app.
Select ADD IT on the right.
Select Trust It.
(You may need to use a Microsoft account to complete the purchase if this is the first time you have purchased from the store. These accounts are free. I have a previous post that cover creating such an account this if you need to.)
You should now see the Discover SharePoint BETA app listed in the Site Contents. Select this.
It will take a moment or two to set up.
You should then see the app displayed on the page as shown above.
If you select the Cog in the top right of the page you will see a menu as shown above.
The Settings option will allow you to determine whether analytics is sent to Microsoft to help improve the product. Note that it is enabled by default.
If you select Admin Panel you will be taken to a screen where you can select what content is displayed by the app. Maybe you just want to start simple with a limited amount of information so as to not overload your users, you can de-select what isn’t required initially and then return and add it later when ready.
When complete select the Save Changes at the bottom of the page.
You’ll then need to select Exit Admin Panel in the top right of the page.
This will return you to the app. To to return to your Team Site select Back to Site in the top left hand corner of the window.
On the Team Site you should now find the Discover SharePoint BETA item listed in Quick Launch Menu allowing anyone to access the app directly.
From here the Discover SharePoint BETA is just like any app in SharePoint, you can remove it at anytime if you want.
Don’t forget that the content in this app is being updated regularly so continue to visit it to see what’s new.
So hopefully, there is a nice simply way for you to add some information and training about SharePoint Online to help end user adoption directly into a Team Site.
CIAOPS 