New Features in SharePoint 2007 - Part II
July, 2007
*The new version of SharePoint expands upon the current version's level of integration with Outlook. The integration between certain SharePoint lists and Outlook folders will be two-way, thus allowing users to not only read, but also manage the content of these SharePoint lists through either the Outlook or SharePoint interfaces. Also, there is synchronization between the Outlook task and calendar lists with SharePoint. This will enable an individual to have one view of all time and tasks versus having to manage calendar items and tasks in Outlook and potentially multiple SharePoint locations.
The new Content type library allows users to create libraries of smaller sets of information and then snap those pieces into new or open documents. Some examples for applications of this feature are the ability to save individual PowerPoint slides to easily drop into a new PowerPoint presentation or to save sections of boiler plate materials to snap into a proposal.
SharePoint 2007 has greater capabilities for managing workflow in an organization. Besides being able to define custom document approval workflow (serial and parallel) using an Outlook rules-like interface, Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) provides a mechanism for developing re-usable workflow components that can be integrated into SharePoint. These workflow components will make it easier to automate certain business processes, such as a new employee on-boarding process requiring the completion of forms and routing of forms.
Finally, another workflow-related change that has many SharePoint developers excited is the ability to write custom event-handlers for all list types. The 2003 version of SharePoint could programmatically handle events only for libraries - document, image, and form libraries - but could not trigger events for SharePoint lists - such as issues and task lists. The new version allows event handlers for both lists and libraries. For example, an organization may want to send custom notifications/alerts when an action is performed on a SharePoint list item (such as updating the status or due date of a task list item). In this example, an organization using SharePoint to track tasks can automatically generate an e-mail notifying involved parties that a task due date has been extended.
*Information concerning features of the new SharePoint 2007 discussed above is based on our best understanding of what will be included in the product release. It is possible that some of the features discussed herein might not be part of the released product
