Microsoft SharePoint
[Flash Research Paper Assignment for MIS 2501, Enterprise IT Architecture – Spring 2013]
With the implementation of Microsoft SharePoint, our organization will realize a three-year net benefit of $9.7 million. SharePoint is a Web application platform for content and document management that organizes, stores, and tracks electronic documents within the organization. The platform also can automate the flow of documents through a feature called “workflows,” thereby decreasing the amount of unbillable hours that our PMP’s absorb. With these advantages, I recommend we implement Microsoft SharePoint to eliminate bulky paper trails and increase efficiency.
A key capability of Microsoft SharePoint is its document management system. SharePoint can be configured to specify which template to use for each kind of document, where to store a document at each stage of its lifecycle, and track the progress of documents used in projects. The greatest benefit of SharePoint is the workflow capability. With a workflow, documents are moved through the organization as appropriate team members contribute to the documents’ creation, review, approval, publication and disposition. The system can be formatted to automate decisions and calculations to insure smooth work progress. Because documents are worked digitally through SharePoint, there are no heavy paper trail systems to manage between employees and clients.
By increasing the PMPs’ efficiency, our organization will realize a net benefit of $9.7 million over three years. The initial cost of implementation is $100,000. Annual maintenance of $18,000 and 10% of lost billable hours for annual support from a PMP will total $51,425 per year. Total billable hours per year increase by 4,000 hours, resulting in to-be yearly revenue of $3.3 million. The benefits we receive from increased efficiency with SharePoint strongly outweigh the costs over a three-year period.
Works Cited
“Document Management for SharePoint.” Document Management for SharePoint. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013.
“Introduction to Document Management.” Microsoft Office. Microsoft, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013.
“10 Business Benefits of Automating Processes with SharePoint 2010 Workflow Applications.” PointBeyond. N.p., Aug. 2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2013.