How to convert a SharePoint site into an app
Want to convert a Sharepoint site into an app? By learning how to turn a website into a mobile app, you can empower your team with seamless access to essential resources, whether they're in the office or on the go.
This transformation not only boosts user engagement but also streamlines collaboration, making it a vital asset for any modern organization.
Key Takeaways
- Converting SharePoint sites into mobile apps boosts accessibility, productivity, and user engagement by providing resources anytime, anywhere.
- App development platforms (like Median.co) offer flexible options for organizations to create tailored mobile applications to meet specific operational needs.
- Regular maintenance, user feedback, and security compliance are vital to ensure the ongoing success and reliability of your SharePoint mobile app.
What is a SharePoint site?
A SharePoint site, developed by Microsoft, is a collaborative platform designed to help organizations efficiently manage and share content, knowledge, and applications.
It acts as a centralized workspace where teams can store, organize, and access critical documents and data. SharePoint sites are highly adaptable, allowing businesses to customize them to fit their unique needs with features like workflow automation and document management.
By integrating seamlessly with Microsoft tools such as Teams and Power Apps, SharePoint boosts productivity and streamlines processes, making it an invaluable asset for any organization.
Why convert a SharePoint site into a mobile app
Transforming a Microsoft SharePoint site into an app can make life easier for those businesses who use it as a core platform for their employees. Sharepoint to app conversion is a good strategy that empowers your team with access to their essential resources from virtually any location, whether they are in the office, traveling for business, or working remotely from home.
Mobile apps offer a faster and more streamlined interface than web browsing on mobile devices, enhancing access to documents, updates, and collaboration tools.
Custom mobile apps enhance user interaction by providing easy access to collaboration tools and timely notifications, which are crucial for an efficient work environment.
Features like push notifications and offline capabilities ensure that important information is always available. This approach fosters a responsive workforce, promoting teamwork and effective problem-solving.
Options for converting a SharePoint site into an app
Enterprises have several options for converting their SharePoint sites into mobile apps, each catering to different needs and skill levels. Power Apps and custom development are popular choices, each offering unique benefits.
For instance, Microsoft's Power Apps enables quick app creation by generating apps with three screens tailored for managing SharePoint list data, ideal for those needing immediate access to information.
Or, Median.co offers a straightforward app development platform for converting SharePoint Online site pages into full-feature, high-quality webview apps with native features — simply by entering their site URL, which provides an instant app preview.
Custom development offers unmatched flexibility, allowing for the creation of specialized applications tailored to specific organizational needs.
- Using Microsoft's Power Apps: Power Apps allows you to create native mobile apps directly from your browser, requiring minimal development expertise. This integration with SharePoint Online and on-premises sites streamlines data management, enhancing operational efficiency through rapid updates and improved productivity. As part of Microsoft's ecosystem, Power Apps ensures compliance and secure data handling using tools like Microsoft Purview.
- Custom development: Custom development offers the flexibility to create customized apps tailored to specific business needs, thereby boosting productivity. Microsoft Power Apps simplifies the creation of custom business apps, even for organizations with limited resources. Additionally, webview app development platforms (such as Median.co) provide extensive customization capabilities for SharePoint site conversions, allowing for the development of applications that align with company goals and meet user requirements.
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Step-by-step guide to converting a SharePoint site into an app using Median.co
The Median.co platform simplifies the process of transforming SharePoint sites into webview mobile apps. Here's how you can efficiently convert your SharePoint site into a mobile app without needing extensive programming knowledge:
- Initial setup and configuration: Begin by entering your SharePoint site URL in Median's App Studio. This ensures that your app reflects the content and functionalities of your SharePoint site. Make sure to configure permissions correctly to maintain content accuracy and security.
- Designing your app: Continue by customizing your app’s design to reflect your SharePoint site’s aesthetics and branding. Median.co provides extensive customization options, allowing you to adjust layouts and incorporate brand-specific features for a seamless user experience. Additionally, Median.co offers an extensive library of native plugins, including push notifications, jailbreak/root detection, in-app purchases, and more, enhancing your app's functionality and security. Use the preview feature to see how your app will look on mobile devices and make any necessary adjustments.
- Testing and deployment: Test your app thoroughly using Median.co’s simulators, which provides real mobile device previews to ensure all features work correctly. Identify and fix any issues before launching by being able to download them to mobile devices for testing. Once satisfied, publish your app on platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Monitor performance and gather user feedback for continuous improvement.
By following these steps, you can effectively convert your SharePoint site into a mobile app, enhancing accessibility and user engagement.
Case study: McKesson transforms employee experience
McKesson, a leading company in pharmaceuticals and healthcare services, transformed the way employees access company resources by converting its employee portal powered by SharePoint into an intuitive mobile app.
With help from Median.co, they developed an app that greatly improved information access and boosted employee engagement.
McKesson executed its project with a strategic plan, effectively overcoming challenges and achieving its goals.
The challenge
McKesson, a diversified, publicly-traded pharmaceuticals and healthcare company, faced the challenge of addressing evolving employee expectations. To meet this need, the global firm initiated a project to deliver information and services through an innovative mobile app experience powered by SharePoint.
The mission was clear: Find a straightforward solution to replace the outdated Salesforce mobile app with a modern alternative.
The new app needed to unify employee services from its SharePoint portal, delivering personalized content and push notifications to the McKesson workforce, thereby creating an engaging and efficient employee experience.
Implementation process
Median’s SharePoint capabilities streamlined app-building for McKesson, which faced a buy vs. build decision for the new employee app, and the available solutions weren't ideal.
Initially, an attempt was made to use .NET MAUI to create a wrapper app for SharePoint, but it proved too labor-intensive.
Median.co made the choice straightforward for McKesson with its proven architecture and seamless integration capabilities, including SharePoint and push notifications, making it the optimal solution for their app development needs.
Results and benefits
Converting McKesson’s employee portal into a mobile app has significantly benefited the organization. Employees now have seamless access to essential services and data, enhancing their satisfaction.
This mobile app provides personalized information and services, fostering a more engaging work environment.
By moving away from an outdated Salesforce mobile app, McKesson has adopted a more advanced and efficient platform. This shift has improved service accessibility for staff, enhancing the overall employee experience.
In summary, the transition to a modern mobile app has created a dynamic and agile workplace culture, boosting employee morale and productivity across the organization.
Case Studies
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Best practices for maintaining your SharePoint mobile app
Maintaining your SharePoint mobile app is crucial for its smooth and reliable operation. Implement a maintenance strategy that includes regular updates, user feedback incorporation, and security checks to keep your app aligned with Microsoft’s latest features.
This proactive approach ensures user satisfaction and engagement.
By following best maintenance practices, organizations can ensure their SharePoint mobile apps remain secure, efficient, and user-friendly. Here are key strategies to optimize your app's performance:
- Regular updates and feature enhancements: Continuously update your SharePoint mobile app with the latest features and improvements to keep users engaged and satisfied. Regular updates not only enhance functionality but also ensure that your app remains competitive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
- Prompt issue resolution: Quickly address user requests and resolve any issues to maintain a seamless user experience. Timely problem-solving helps build trust and reliability, encouraging users to rely on your app for their daily tasks.
- Consistent security reviews: Conduct regular security assessments to ensure compliance with both internal and external regulations. Protecting user data is important, and consistent reviews help safeguard your app against vulnerabilities and potential breaches.
- Collecting user feedback: Actively gather user feedback to gain insights into how users interact with your app and identify areas for improvement. This feedback loop is crucial for understanding user needs and expectations, allowing you to refine the app accordingly.
- Integrating user suggestions: Incorporate user suggestions into future app versions to adapt to evolving preferences and enhance the app's utility. By listening to your users, you can make meaningful changes that increase satisfaction and engagement.
- Stay informed: Regularly check the SharePoint Community Blog for the latest insights and best practices. Staying informed about new SharePoint features and updates helps you leverage these advancements to improve your app's performance and user experience.
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Summary
Converting a SharePoint site into a mobile app enhances accessibility, user engagement, and operational efficiency by providing seamless access to resources on the go.
To maintain a successful SharePoint mobile app, it's crucial to implement regular updates, gather user feedback, and ensure robust security.
The case of McKesson showcases the positive impact of this conversion, improving employee interaction and access to essential resources. Ultimately, transforming a SharePoint site into an app fosters greater productivity and organizational success.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of converting a SharePoint site into a mobile app?
Converting a SharePoint site into a mobile app boosts productivity by providing team members easy access to essential documents and collaboration tools from anywhere. This mobile accessibility enhances engagement and keeps everyone connected!
What options are available for converting SharePoint sites into mobile apps?
You can easily convert your SharePoint sites into mobile apps using tools like Power Apps or custom development. Consider platforms like Median.co for a quick and user-friendly solution!
How does Median.co simplify the conversion process?
Median.co streamlines the transition from SharePoint sites to mobile apps by allowing users to easily turn them into applications using a simple URL. It offers customizable templates and in-browser simulators for pre-deployment testing. You can also natively integrate plugins that enhance your app's functionality with native features like push notifications and in-app purchases.
What best practices should be followed for maintaining a SharePoint mobile app?
It is crucial to ensure the efficient management of a SharePoint mobile app by consistently implementing updates and improvements, as well as soliciting feedback from users to foster ongoing enhancement. Ensuring rigorous attention to security and compliance measures is vital for providing an uninterrupted user experience.
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