publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/306297
ILTA WHITE PAPER: APRIL 2014 WWW.ILTANET.ORG 32 about more than just enabling new capabilities; it is also about maintaining a secure environment that is supported by Microsoft. Security vulnerabilities are identified all the time in the IT world, and keeping products updated is the number one countermeasure against attacks. Having a fragile SharePoint environment that cannot be updated due to tightly coupled customizations creates a difficult dilemma. It is incumbent upon technology leaders to maintain a reliable and secure IT environment that provides the capabilities the business needs to stay competitive. Deploying tightly coupled SharePoint solutions makes it difficult to achieve that mission by making firms reluctant to deploy the next version or service pack. Customizing SharePoint using the app model drastically reduces the need to shy away from updates by keeping customizations loosely coupled. Apps use a service-oriented architecture that reduces dependencies and does not lock firms into the version of SharePoint currently being used. This will ensure vulnerabilities are mitigated, the latest capabilities are enabled and the environment is supported should a call to Microsoft become necessary. 3. Launch SharePoint Online: Many law firms have not embraced cloud computing for various reasons. Some firms have clients that do not allow it or that have regulatory requirements that make multi-tenant platforms like SharePoint Online (a part of Microsoft's Office 365) a non-starter. Other firms are not comfortable with their data residing outside their network, or they stayed away from SharePoint Online because deploying custom functionality there had significant limitations. The app model does not always address regulatory issues or a lack of comfort with the cloud, but it does remove many limitations developers faced customizing the platform. For firms not prohibited from using the cloud, SharePoint Online is now a viable alternative. SharePoint is a great product, but it can get very expensive when you factor in the licensing, hardware and manpower required to keep a firm running at peak performance. SharePoint Online uses a cost-effective subscription model and eliminates the need for firms to manage the environment and keep it secure and up to date. There are still limitations to SharePoint Online, but the app model has at least made it worthy of consideration. 4. Reduce Risk and Improve Performance: Code never runs on the SharePoint server using the app model, and it is difficult for the platform to be severely affected by the resource utilization of apps. Apps are built alongside SharePoint, so you can load test them independently. The signal-to-noise ratio goes down dramatically when you can test custom code independently from the SharePoint server. All of this translates into a better user experience and higher service levels, both of which are two of the most important metrics for any IT environment. MODELING A MOVE TOWARD REAL CHANGE Leveraging the app model can be a real game changer for your firm and its enterprise content management strategies. As Microsoft continues to make SharePoint more appealing to the next generation of application developers, resisting adoption will not be a sustainable strategy. With the advent of the SharePoint app model, there are ample opportunities for growth for current SharePoint developers and the potential for real change in how your law firm leverages the platform. THE APP MODEL — BUILD ALONGSIDE, NOT ON, SHAREPOINT SharePoint Online uses a cost-effective subscription model and eliminates the need for firms to manage the environment.