The dilemma with this hybrid world coupled with the associated requirement for change management solutions are not completely new. However, the velocity with which companies are shifting key work loads towards the cloud is creating an awareness of these requisites. Around ten years ago, collaboration platforms as well as hosted supply chains appeared online, a majority within the high-tech manufacturing space, experiencing the pains of a shift to the cloud: huge file transfer protocols, WAN optimization, edge devices, single sign-on along with other means of communication enhancements across private networks. Years later, we happen to be dealing with a number of similar issues, and this time, it's on a much higher scale. A lot of improvements have taken place in the collaboration technologies but there is still the need for tools to assist in managing between cloud platforms and on premises.
Hybrid environments would continue to remain a prime factor for a minimum of three to five years. This recognition by Microsoft showcases the requirement for robust change management abilities across the cloud and on premises environments. Change management does not simply imply migration, it also takes structural mobility into consideration. Moving content, lists, metadata, forms, workflows as well as other components within diverse SharePoint environments along with maintenance of their integrity, has turned into a business imperative.
Change management within the hybrid SharePoint development environment implies the following:
- Enhanced movement between the development, staging as well as production environments.
- Development of solutions once, followed by going for replication of the same across environments.
- Restructuring of topology and content as workloads are migrated into the cloud.
- Creating and managing governance standards which are consistent, throughout these environments.
- Introducing bulk changes to the environments instead of site-by-site.
- Creation of dashboards as well as federated reports across all the environments.
As organizations begin to explore Office 365 and how to reap adequate benefits from the large investments made in the transition from SharePoint on premises to a cloud-oriented model, it is advisable to begin thinking about the ways in which the various assets can be managed during the transition, whatever time the transition might involve. Proper solutions that cater to the needs of administration, governance and change management with respect to SharePoint must be adopted for business effectiveness.
We provide custom SharePoint development services. If you would like to speak to one of our certified SharePoint developers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.