Introduction

SharePoint has established itself as a robust collaboration and content management platform, empowering organizations to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Choosing the correct version of SharePoint is crucial for maximizing its benefits within your organization. This article will provide a detailed comparison between Microsoft SharePoint 2019 and Microsoft SharePoint 2016, highlighting their key features and improvements.

Feature Comparison

General Improvements in SharePoint 2019 over SharePoint 2016

SharePoint 2019 introduces several noteworthy enhancements compared to SharePoint 2016. It offers an enhanced user experience with a modern interface, making it more intuitive and user-friendly. Additionally, SharePoint 2019 provides improved mobile and responsive design capabilities, ensuring seamless access and functionality across various devices. Furthermore, SharePoint 2019 integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft tools and services, facilitating a cohesive and efficient working environment.

Collaboration and Communication Features

Team Sites and Document Libraries:

Hence, both SharePoint 2019 and SharePoint 2016 offer the fundamental features of team sites and document libraries, providing a centralized location for storing and sharing files. These features enable teams to collaborate effectively and access relevant documents effortlessly.

Co-authoring and real-time collaboration

SharePoint 2019 introduces co-authoring and real-time collaboration, enabling multiple users to work on a document simultaneously. This fosters efficient collaboration, eliminates version control issues, and boosts productivity. SharePoint 2016, on the other hand, does not offer this real-time collaboration capability.

Communication Sites and News Features

SharePoint 2019 introduces Communication Sites and the News feature, empowering organizations to create visually appealing communication portals. Moreover, these sites facilitate effective internal communication and the dissemination of news and information.

Search and Content Management:

Search Improvements and Hybrid Search Capabilities:

SharePoint 2019 offers significant improvements in search functionality. It provides hybrid search capabilities, allowing users to search for content across both on-premises and cloud-based environments. This ensures comprehensive search results and a seamless user experience.

Metadata Management and Taxonomy Features:

SharePoint 2019 enhances metadata management and taxonomy features, making categorizing and organizing content easier. These improvements enhance search accuracy, content discoverability, and information governance.

Content Migration and Sharing Capabilities:

SharePoint 2019 introduces refined content migration and sharing capabilities, simplifying moving content between SharePoint sites. This feature streamlines content management and improves collaboration across the organization.

Security and Compliance:

Information Rights Management (IRM) and Data Loss Prevention (DLP):

SharePoint 2019 and SharePoint 2016 offer features such as Information Rights Management (IRM) and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to protect sensitive information. These features enable organizations to safeguard their data and maintain compliance with security standards.

Compliance Center and eDiscovery:

SharePoint 2019 introduces the Compliance Center and eDiscovery capabilities, providing advanced tools for managing compliance and legal requirements. These features assist organizations in ensuring data privacy, regulatory compliance, and litigation support.

GDPR and Other Regulatory Compliance Features:

SharePoint 2019 incorporates features designed to address General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements. These compliance features assist organizations in adhering to data protection regulations and maintaining customer trust.

Workflow and Business Process Automation:

SharePoint Designer and Power Automate Integration:

SharePoint 2019 integrates with SharePoint Designer and Power Automate (formerly known as Microsoft Flow), providing a robust workflow automation platform. Power Automate offers a user-friendly interface for creating custom workflows and automating business processes.

Customizable Workflows and Business Process Automation Capabilities:

SharePoint 2019 enables organizations to create customizable workflows tailored to their business requirements. This flexibility allows for streamlined processes, improved productivity, and reduced manual effort.

Integration with External Data Sources and LOB Systems:

SharePoint 2019 offers enhanced integration capabilities with external data sources and line-of-business (LOB) systems. This enables seamless data exchange, connecting SharePoint with other critical systems within the organization.

Deployment and Infrastructure:

On-Premises vs. Cloud-Based Options:

Both SharePoint 2019 and SharePoint 2016 provide options for on-premises and cloud-based deployments. Organizations must assess their specific needs, infrastructure, and compliance requirements when deciding between these deployment options.

Hardware and software requirements for SharePoint 2019 and SharePoint 2016:

It is essential to consider each version’s hardware and software requirements before deploying SharePoint. This evaluation ensures compatibility and optimal performance.

Upgrade and Migration Considerations:

Organizations currently using SharePoint 2016 may need to consider the upgrade and migration process to SharePoint 2019. Careful planning and evaluation of existing customizations, third-party integrations, and data migration requirements are crucial for a successful transition.

Performance and Scalability:

Performance Improvements in SharePoint 2019:

SharePoint 2019 brings performance improvements, such as faster load times and a smoother user experience. These enhancements contribute to increased productivity and user satisfaction.

Scalability Considerations for Larger Organizations:

SharePoint 2019 offers scalability enhancements, making it suitable for larger organizations with substantial content and user bases. These improvements ensure that the platform can handle growing demands and maintain optimal performance.

High Availability and Disaster Recovery Options:

Both SharePoint 2019 and SharePoint 2016 provide high availability and disaster recovery options. These features ensure business continuity and data resilience during system failures or disasters.

Licensing and Cost Comparison:

Licensing Models and Editions Available for SharePoint 2019 and SharePoint 2016:

SharePoint 2019 and SharePoint 2016 are available in various licensing models and editions. Organizations must assess their requirements, user count, and desired features to select the appropriate licensing model.

Cost Considerations for Implementation and Ongoing Maintenance:

When considering SharePoint, evaluating the costs associated with implementation, customization, and ongoing maintenance is essential. These considerations include licensing fees, infrastructure costs, and support services.

Conclusion:

Microsoft SharePoint 2019 offers significant improvements over SharePoint 2016, including an enhanced user experience, collaboration capabilities, advanced search functionality, enhanced security and compliance features, and streamlined workflow automation.

Therefore, choosing the correct version of SharePoint depends on various factors, such as organizational requirements, desired features, deployment preferences, infrastructure capabilities, and budget constraints. Organizations must carefully evaluate these factors to make informed decisions aligned with their goals and objectives.

In conclusion, Microsoft SharePoint 2019 offers substantial enhancements and new features compared to Microsoft SharePoint 2016. By thoroughly examining the feature comparison, deployment options, performance, scalability, security and compliance features, workflow automation capabilities, licensing, and cost considerations, organizations can select the most suitable version that meets their specific requirements and maximizes the benefits of SharePoint.

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