HP connects 88 500 employees with Microsoft`s SharePoint Portal Server

The local Hewlett-Packard office has installed Microsoft`s SharePoint Portal Server with future plans to deploy the Web-based portal solution around SA and across its global network of offices, providing its 88 500 worldwide employees with easy access to accurate information.

Microsoft`s SharePoint Portal Server provides a rich, customisable Web portal that gives users quick access to business critical information throughout an organisation. It integrates basic document management functions so that users can create workspaces to plan, share and manage-project documents.

Consulting to HP, information technology company `nVisionIT needed a solution that would seamlessly link HP employees together from any location at any time. "Due to the size and global nature of HP`s business, it requires a single source for accessing information drawn from a wide variety of content sources," says Graham van Zijl, managing director at `nVisionIT. "At the same time, the security of documents and confidential information needs to be maintained."

"Deploying Microsoft`s SharePoint Portal Server has improved HP`s productivity through creating an internal online community that makes collaboration for teams simple," says Norbert Stevens, business unit manager at HP. "By adding content to the site using features such as document libraries, discussions and surveys, employees are able to easily share and access information through their Web browsers."

SharePoint Portal Server can be deployed within a department or across an organisation. It is designed to work with applications such as Office and Microsoft Internet Explorer, so employees throughout an organisation are using tools that they are already familiar with.

Knowledge workers are able to create their own personal dashboards to view the information they use regularly, such as their inbox, calendar and important files made viewable through Web Parts.

"SharePoint Portal Server provides a cost-effective solution to the mass of information knowledge workers are exposed to," says Vanessa Edwards, account manager at Microsoft South Africa. "The software solution provides a rich, scalable search function built on persistent query technology. HP is able to classify similar types of content and group it appropriately ensuring users always access the most recent and accurate information."