Author: Siobhan King

Information Architecture Training for Microsoft 365

Posted by on in Information Management, Training

All you need to know about Microsoft 365 Information Architecture 

11 Dec 22 – Book your place on our virtual training course this January

Besides supporting customers with their information management projects, our Senior Consultant and information governance guru, Siobhan King, also delivers comprehensive training courses for those looking to learn more about Information Architecture (IA) for Microsoft 365.

Delivered through our training partner Leadership Through Data, this virtual course, “All You Need To Know: Microsoft 365 Information Architecture” is an ideal opportunity for attendees to consider the practicalities of rolling out an IA, taking into account everything from gaining senior buy-in to working effectively with colleagues in IT.

Why you should attend this course?

Course attendees regularly feedback that our course really helps them to have much better conversations with IT about Microsoft 365.

This is in part because our course helps people to understand how Microsoft 365 works by providing live examples and opportunities for hands on development of Information Architecture.

Seeing Microsoft 365 products such as SharePoint, Teams and Purview from an Admin perspective and putting this into context really does help establish a common language with IT when working together to develop and roll out Microsoft 365 applications.

This Microsoft 365 Information Architecture course also provides insight into the IT perspective for managing Microsoft 365 products and helps attendees to form productive working routines together with IT.

Siobhan explains: “The thing that strikes me each time I teach this course is that for a roll out of Microsoft 365, SharePoint and Microsoft Teams to succeed, organisations need to establish who is responsible for what at the very beginning.”

There are two specific types of roles to consider: 

  1. who will be the decisions makers
  2. who will be the implementers

Each of these roles is equally important because between them, they help to avoid any snags in a project and ensure things get done. This is such an important conversation to have up front.

The IA course also helps learners identify any other activities and considerations that may similarly require a discussion regarding roles and responsibilities.

How to book

Siobhan will be delivering this course again in the week commencing 9th of January 2023 and we couldn’t think of a better way to start the new year!

Places are limited but there is still some availability. If you would like kick start 2023 and learn all you need to know about Microsoft 365 Information Architecture, simply click the button below to book your seat now!

BOOK NOW!

Metataxis goes on the beat with Information Architecture framework

Posted by on in Information Architecture

UK Constabulary chooses Metataxis for Information Architecture project

Nov 22 – Metataxis supports UK police force with a new Information Architecture framework.

Bound by strict data compliance regulations and governance rules, many public sector organisations are challenged with meeting their information management requirements.

Metataxis is thrilled to be supporting a UK constabulary address these challenges with the development of a new Information Architecture (IA) framework for Microsoft 365.

This new framework will consider the best ways to structure and manage information stored in Microsoft 365 applications across the organisation, including Microsoft Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive. We will also look at how they manage compliance in Microsoft Purview to create a well-defined, compliant, Information Architecture (IA) framework.

This comprehensive plan will set out recommendations and parameters for a successful Information Architecture implementation, providing a solid base for the team to start building their architecture and subsequently roll out the Microsoft 365 project.

We are also helping the IT team to develop a clear information governance framework which will define the roles and responsibilities within the organisation to ensure success of the Information Architecture project.

Explains Siobhan King, Senior Consultant at Metataxis: “Responsible for lots of personal data, security and compliance is vital for all public sector organisations. Following a well-defined Information Architecture framework, this UK police constabulary will be well placed to begin the successful implementation of their Information Architecture for Microsoft 365 and remain confident that all governance and compliance regulations are met.”

The project commenced in October 2022 and is expected to be completed early next year.

Metataxis provides information architecture services to help structure and classify information in order to leverage the information’s full value. If you would like to learn more about our information architecture services for your organisation, simply contact us.

Metataxis joins Microsoft CAB & Records Management experts to support app development

Posted by on in Records Management, Uncategorized

Oct 2022 – Metataxis joins Microsoft Records Management Customer Advisory Board working group.

Metataxis is thrilled to be a member of the Microsoft Records Management Customer Advisory Board (CAB) working group.

Microsoft CAB working groups enable industry professionals to get together and suggest and share feedback with Microsoft, in order to help them develop and enhance their current capabilities to address customer challenges and new requirements.

The Microsoft Records Management Customer Advisory Board working group is made up of records and information governance professionals from the UK, United States, Australasia and Europe, including representatives from government and private sectors, consultants and National Archives institutions.

These compelling sessions offer the opportunity for Records Management experts to present and propose the developments we would like Microsoft to consider that would best serve our records management requirements.

Siobhan King, Senior Consultant at Metataxis, explains: “These valuable meetings enable us to share our challenges, experiences and requirements with other industry experts from across the globe, and in turn, support the ongoing development of Microsoft 365. Our most recent CAB meeting with Microsoft was a lively and well informed event, where we discussed the next round of records management development requests on our wish list, including version management and expiry dates.” 

Microsoft runs a quarterly cycle for considering improvements, based on the proposals put forward by industry professionals. The next round for reviewing development requests will take place in October.

Metataxis provides records management, retention and disposal solutions and to over 250 clients in the public, private and third sectors. If you would like to learn more about our record management services, simply contact us.

Strengthening information governance with records management training

Posted by on in Information Management
Records Management 2

September 2022 – Metataxis delivers new Records Management training course in partnership with training experts, Leadership Through Data.

Metataxis Limited is thrilled to be providing a comprehensive SharePoint Records Management course with their training partner, Leadership Through Data.

Designed by Records Managers for Records Managers, this comprehensive training course explores the information governance features of Microsoft 365, including licensing and information architecture requirements to support information governance.

This “all you need to know” SharePoint Records Management course is delivered by Metataxis Senior Consultant, Siobhan King. With her specialist background in records management and information governance, she is helping students design, configure and implement Microsoft 365 to get the most of the features, mitigate risk and gain a better understanding how to protect the valuable information created and shared by colleagues on a daily basis.

Explains Noeleen Schenk, Director at Metataxis: “As part of our partnership with LTD, we’re delighted to offer this Records Management training course to individuals looking to improve their SharePoint record management skills and strengthen information governance across their organisation.” 

This virtual training course is delivered over 4 half days and all attendees will achieve 12 CPD credits. Learn more and book your place now!

Here at Metataxis, we understand the challenges of Records Management. The ability to manage your information and records effectively is crucial in supporting your business, and being able to meet your regulatory and compliance obligations.

Our comprehensive Records Management service advises on and delivers retention and disposal management programmes so you can protect your business and remain compliant.  If you would like to learn more, simply contact us.

What’s involved in a SharePoint health check?

Posted by on in Information Architecture, Information Governance, SharePoint, Uncategorized
SharePoint Health Check

Many organisations think that Office 365/SharePoint deployment and configuration is both simple and quick only to find the reality quite different once the system is used in anger.  But a well-timed health check of SharePoint can save a lot a pain and stress down the road.

When to do a health check

A health check can be done at any stage of SharePoint implementation for many different purposes. For instance a health check may be done during a pilot or pathfinder exercise to check that the project is going in the right direction. Or the health check may be used for older implementations that may be experiencing issues for the purpose of root cause analysis.

It’s not just about the technology

The technical configuration of your Office 365/SharePoint system is important, but so too is how your information is organised within your implementation. Failing to understand your information management needs is often overlooked in Office 365/SharePoint deployments which can result in expensive, unusable, or even a failed system. We recommend any health check considers ongoing information management as well as the technical management.

What a health check should cover

With that in mind we recommend a SharePoint health check should consider both standard areas of functionality as well as information governance, management and strategies. The health check should consider the following aspects though depending on how SharePoint is configured may want more attention on some areas than others.

  • High-level Office 365 configuration
  • Site collection and site architecture
  • User permissions and user access model
  • Content types and columns
  • Term sets
  • Search configuration
  • Libraries, views and folder configuration
  • Navigation and high-level user interface
  • Usability and look and feel
  • Information governance and policies
  • Training and support
  • Culture and change management

Who should do the health check

Ideally a neutral third party should conduct a health check, so they can provide an independent and impartial assessment of the system. The third party may be a person or team within your organisation that has not been heavily involved in implementation. That internal resource would need to have the skills and expertise to complete a thorough health check. Alternatively external resource with the skills and experience may be contracted to do the work. The benefit of getting a health check from a skilled professional is assurance of quality of work as well as the ability to provide results quickly and accurately.

Metataxis SharePoint health checks

Metataxis can provide independent health check of your Microsoft 365 and/or SharePoint deployment to discover potential problems before they become actual problems. The Metataxis team has the unique skills and experience to bridge the world of technology and information management, to provide a unified and thorough analysis. Metataxis has a simple health check methodology that provides quick results. This is based on the many implementations we have worked on.

  • Analyse: A Metataxis consultant conducts an audit of your Office 365/SharePoint environment.
  • Document: The consultant documents their findings to produce an organisation specific set of recommendations.
  • Review: The consultant discusses the recommendations with the organisation, refining them as required.
  • Support: Follow-up advice is available via email or phone after the delivery of the recommendations.

We can scale any health check to the requirements of your organisation and point you in the right direction to give you the right information governance, architecture and strategy to help you on your way.  Get in touch with us today to talk using the contact form on the right.