Microsoft SharePoint not only provides an excellent platform for content management and team collaboration, but also for connecting line-of business (LOB) systems. The University of Nottingham started a SharePoint development team to leverage on this core capability. Using a rapid application development framework from Webparts360, they created a Business-Critical SharePoint solution where SharePoint is connected with existing systems to improve visibility, communication, and productivity across the organization.

One of the most distinguished independent law firms in Portugal, Vieira de Almeida & Associados had accumulated various disconnected line-of-business systems throughout the years, each serving a certain department and causing communication gaps across the company. Safira helped them break down the siloes and improve productivity with a Business-Critical SharePoint solution that uses line-of-business data, introducing automation, self-service, and company-wide transparency.

To give citizens information about state and local government employee salaries, the California State Controller’s Office engaged SymSoft Solutions to help deploy a business intelligence (BI) solution based on the Microsoft platform. With it, the public can create custom BI using 15 gigabytes of data and 5 million records. The solution also facilitates activism, speeds efficiency, and delivers a scalable foundation to support future BI projects.

Prior to automation, Brickworks relied on a team of Accounts Payable (AP) clerks to manually process 10,000 invoices per month. An invoice was generally touched 8 times during processing which opened the door for delays and manual errors. As part of their continuous improvement practices, Brickworks recognized the opportunity to improve this business-critical process and turned to Efficiency Leaders to implement Kofax’ Business-Critical SharePoint solution. The outcomes of the deployed solution were maximized by connecting and better utilizing their existing line of business systems and Microsoft® SharePoint® 2010 for improved efficiencies and return of investment.

Based in the historic Woolborough House in London, the British Ballet Organization (BBO) chose Microsoft Office 365 to gain better collaboration tools and to access email remotely. Because they are no longer struggling with unreliable email, employees save two hours a week. BBO avoided £3,500 (US$5,600) in hardware costs and will build a collaboration platform based on Microsoft SharePoint Online to expedite projects and work with 10,000 teachers, examiners, members, and students around the world.

One way The Errigle Inn is celebrating its seventy-seventh anniversary is by introducing the latest cloud-based business productivity services from Microsoft. By using Office 365 communication and collaboration services, managers at the family-owned iconic Belfast pub gain reliable access to business information on their own devices—anywhere, anytime. Now everyone can keep up-to-date with developments across all shifts, ensuring seamless operations for The Errigle’s five busy bars, restaurants, function rooms, and live music and sporting events.

Amsterdam Housing employees had limited IT tools. The team relied on mobile phones and a single email address to collaborate with colleagues and communicate with executives needing relocation rental properties in the Netherlands. The company worked with Microsoft Partner Network member Wortell to deploy Microsoft Office 365 in two days. Now, employees can use web conferencing to show properties to global customers, expediting the sales process and improving relationships. And teamwork and productivity has improved because everyone can access email, share property viewing schedules, and work from home.

Air Zermatt was founded in 1968 with one helicopter and a dream to move injured skiers and mountaineers to safety and medical assistance quickly. Headquartered in the idyllic Swiss ski resort of Zermatt, the company now flies nine helicopters from two bases and provides thousands of residents and visitors with helicopter rescue, transport, sightseeing and ski tours, and aerial services including construction and mining. Challenged to improve communication with its staff, pilots, and clients and to implement ever-changing regulatory mandates, Air Zermatt replaced its paper-based system for schedules and documentation with Microsoft Office 365. Now, Air Zermatt saves five hours a week on administrative tasks and expects annual savings of US$200,000 through scheduling efficiency and fuel conservation.

The Halo franchise is an award-winning collection of properties that has grown into a global entertainment phenomenon. To date, more than 50 million copies of Halo video games have been sold worldwide. As developers prepared to launch Halo 4, they were tasked with analyzing data to gain insights into player preferences and support an online tournament. To handle those requests, the team used a powerful Microsoft technology called Windows Azure HDInsight Service, based on the Apache Hadoop big data framework. Using HDInsight Service to process and analyze raw data from Windows Azure, the team was able to feed game statistics to the tournament’s operator, which used the data to rank players based on game play. The team also used HDInsight Service to update Halo 4 every week and support a daily email campaign designed to increase player retention.

Schuuring in The Netherlands was expected to work with several of their own and their customers’ line-of-business systems during digital network installations projects. Microsoft partner, Motion10 advises and supports the setup of the advanced “Schuuring Digital Portal”, a Business-Critical SharePoint solution, enabling backend system connectivity on the SharePoint platform and improving communication and productivity among all of their stakeholders.