How to Create and Scale a DMS

How to Create and Scale a Document Management System in SharePoint?

Let’s assume if you have invested in one of the top-notch SharePoint document management solutions, hoping it will streamline the team’s document processes. But in reality, instead of streamlining things it becomes another task in the task list. Employees starts finding it challenging and time-consuming process to use the document management system.

You are getting multiple mails and queries asking about the latest file. Now you find yourself stuck in chasing the latest version of the files, spending hours on searching the right file and struggling with the technicalities of the platform.

Now the question is why system like SharePoint does, made for better collaboration becomes frustrating and more challenging for the employees. Instead of increasing the collaboration rate all it does is consumes time.

The misconception about using SharePoint is that it a magical tool that can organize everything itself. The is not the reality. SharePoint as Document Management System is a powerful tool, but it’s fundamentally designed around manual organization and tagging.

With the increasing content the complexity also increases. Document repository SharePoint can store millions of documents, but the manual tagging and categorization may become difficult due to technicalities. The more organized you try to be, the more metadata you need to add, creating a never-ending cycle.

How to Create and Scale a Document Management System in SharePoint

Is there any way to make SharePoint Online Document Management More Manageable?

Yes, indeed there are multiple ways through which SharePoint document management can become manageable. For better explanation we can say that setting up an intuitive site structure and outlining clear content governance are one of the most effective methods to improve your document management for SharePoint.

Looking at the nature of SharePoint, it requires a lot of manual input to maintain. So even the best site structure and content governance will not make it up to the mark.

SharePoint Document Repository requires three things for effective use:

  1. Manual Metadata: Irrespective of the document’s nature, users are required to add metadata and specific keywords to all the documents. This helps in keeping the document organized.
  2. Unified Dashboards: To maintain multiple documents for different departments, you must create group libraries for better accuracy.
  3. Manual Search: Need a document very quickly? You must search with the specific keywords when you need it.

One another way to get these functionalities in action without any hassles, users can use third-party platforms. However third-party platforms come with another set of challenges like a new licence, data transfers, training, budget and many other.  So, it turns out to be a big “No” for the users looking to make their current system better.

Today, Let’s understand the different ways of managing SharePoint and document management system. From setting up things to make it work we will cover everything. Continue reading for better dms SharePoint solutions.

Learn more about Sharepoint Intranet for office 365

 

A Guide for SharePoint Online Document Management Creation

Having established the compelling advantages and return on investment (ROI) of a SharePoint Document Management System, it’s crucial to move beyond theoretical understanding and into practical implementation. This transition is not merely technical but also involves strategic planning and foresight. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, you can seamlessly implement a SharePoint Document Management System that aligns with your organization’s unique needs and delivers tangible benefits.

Planning and Defining Goals

Before starting the process of implementation, it’s crucial to take out some time to define and plan your requirements. To start with planning following mentioned points can be taken into consideration.

  1. Purpose: Set up the primary objective behind setting up the document management system for your organisation.
  2. Types of Documents: Identify the types of documents you will be managing.
  3. Other Needs: Outline your specific needs that you want to implement within your document management system. It can be security, access control, version control and search capabilities.

By following the planning phase at initiation level, users can lay the foundation for a right document management solution.

Site and Library Structure

Design a site and library structure that aligns with your requirements. SharePoint follows a hierarchical structure with sites and libraries to organize content. Consider the following:

  • Site Number: Decide how many sites you need.
  • Hierarchy: Establish the site hierarchy.
  • Libraries: Create libraries within each site.

This structure will help you categorize and manage documents effectively.

Site Creation

Start creating new sites in SharePoint as per your planned structure. You can choose from various site templates provided by SharePoint like Document Centre, Team Site, or Records Centre.

Library Creation

You can now start creating libraries within each site. Creation of libraries will help you to manage different types of documents and resources. Start defining the metadata columns you want to associate with each library. SharePoint Document Management meta examples can vary from document types to department, date and few others.

Metadata Design

Define the metadata fields (columns) that you want to associate with your documents. Metadata allows you to classify and categorize documents, making them easier to find. Create metadata columns in each library and choose the appropriate data types.

Document Upload

You can now start uploading your existing documents in the respected libraries. SharePoint has some of the top-notch features including drag and drop, using the “Upload” button or integrating it within the Microsoft Office 365 environment.

Metadata Tagging

With metadata tagging, you can enhance the searchability of all the documents. Tagging can be done both ways either manually or with automated processes like metadata inheritance or content type of defaults.

Version Control

To keep a track of all the recent changes, you can enable versioning of document libraries for tracking the latest changes. Maintain a history of all the document revisions done. SharePoint provides configurable versioning settings.

 

Also Learn about sharepoint contract management

Security and Permissions

Set up access controls to ensure only authorized individuals or groups can access. You can further set the control permission with view, edit or delete documents options. SharePoint document management system provides with granular permission settings.

Search Configuration

Configure search settings to enable efficient and accurate document discovery. SharePoint offers robust search features, including full-text, metadata-based, and search scopes.

Training and Adoption

It is very important to provide training and support to users to maximize the effectiveness of SharePoint as document management system. Empower a culture of adoption by highlighting the system’s benefits and communicating regular updates and improvements.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Keep a regular check on your document management system by regularly monitoring its performance, storage usage, and user feedback. Solve issues with immediate actions and make necessary improvements. It’s beneficial to stay updated with SharePoint latest updates and new features.

Create and Scale a Document Management System

How to Scale SharePoint as Document Management System: Key Considerations

Just like the creation process, scaling process also has some important steps that a business owner must be aware about:

Flexibility: SharePoint as document management system is an ideal choice for all the users. It allows seamless tracking helping businesses to achieve the best.

Adaptability: Business users can expand their system by adding new sites and libraries, refining metadata structures, and enhancing security protocols.

Leadership: The SharePoint document repository empowers CIOs to work closely with COOs and CFOs to ensure buy-in for digital transformative initiatives.

Regular Assessment: Periodic evaluation of your system’s capabilities for identifying areas for improvement or enhancements.

Address Leadership Concerns: It is important to understand the concerns of leadership roles for fostering and navigating the digital transformation.

Timely Adjustments: Ensure to make timely adjustments to your document management system for maintaining its robustness, agility and alignment with organizational goals.

 

Learn More SharePoint is Transforming Patient Management Systems

Conclusion

SharePoint document management system can turn out to be a significant and strategic investment for any business. It can significantly enhance the organizations efficiency and productivity.

FAQ’s

  1. What is the purpose of Microsoft SharePoint Document Management System?

SharePoint document management solutions help in securing, storing and managing documents and resources for businesses.

 

  1. Can I use SharePoint as a document repository?

Yes, SharePoint can be used as a document repository to store files securely at one location.

 

  1. Is SharePoint online a document management system?

Yes, SharePoint online can be used as a document management solution. However, it requires a lot of technical skills to maintain.

 

Comments are closed