Design Tips for SharePoint 2013 Apps on Tablets

The discussion on the tips for designing for the SharePoint 2013 Apps on tablets should essentially begin with the concept of minimal viable product. The idea is to enhance the user experience with Office 365 and Microsoft Office. Enterprises seem to be on the lookout for continuously updating the products to gain a strong competitive advantage and engaging in viable business in Office 365.

With the increase in the number of mobile devices and tablet users, it has become necessary for the SP 2013 apps to stay accessible as well as work effectively on these devices. Here is a list of tips on designing excellent SP apps for the tablets.

Always Go For Responsive Design
Whenever it comes to designing SP 2013 applications for tablets, a responsive design is a prerequisite. Now, for those working on a publishing site or planning to render it with a great look and feel, a responsive web design is must. Now, for those not using a custom master page as a basis for compatibility with other apps, a responsive design might not appear to be that suitable.

Maintain the Minimum Possible Width
Although the base resolutions vary depending on the landscape mode, majority of them have a width of 980 pixels. While the meta tags, JavaScript and CSS allow for control over the zoom behaviors and view port to a significant extent, it is always better to ensure that the columns in the tabular layout look impressive. This would also keep the initial investment to be made by the enterprise pretty low.

Make Efficient Use of CSS
The detailed pages for the varying entities in the form of matters and clients comprise a table at the top along with a set of tabs at the bottom, displaying related data. It is the entity as well as the data that work together in determining the number of columns in the header. On the other hand, for the clients, the columns denoting the phone numbers, address and notes are hidden especially, in cases where there is no data.

Now, these tables pose challenge because of the fact that both the width of the browser as well as the one that is required to display particular data within the table vary. The solution lies in using the base of 980 pixels, which renders a lower bound. Also, with a vertical alignment at the top, padding is explicit while word-break is natural.

Derive Benefits Out of the 'Focus on Content' Button
The 'Focus on Content' button appears at the upper right hand corner of the page. This is quite a beneficial feature and using it optimally can actually lead to an effective designing of SP 2013 applications for tabs.

Not Putting any Options in the Quick Launch Section
The pre-dominant belief is that while using a tablet, focus should always be laid on the content. However, it is better not to put any important option in the 'Quick Launch' section for this section can not be viewed by the tablet users and hence, the app will be of little significance for them.

Avoid Adopting the Minimal Download Strategy
The minimal download strategy is fine for those in any app web. However, this feature calls for some serious compatibility issues in certain browsers. The minimal download strategy can be disabled using the CSOM.

Prefer a Dynamic Sizing of Dialogs
While much of the discussions so far have been done with, height is also a matter of concern when it comes to using a dialog framework. It is always essential to go for dynamic alignment and setting the options depending on the natural height of the page.

With the above-mentioned tips and strategies, one can certainly develop suitable SharePoint 2013 apps for tablets. And while looking for SharePoint services India, make sure you are reaching out to companies who have solid credentials and have proven expertise in application development in SharePoint and have equally strong domain expertise as well.

We provide Sharepoint migration services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our SharePoint site branding experts, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Top Reasons why you should choose SharePoint 2013

Over the last five years, SharePoint has been widely adopted across organizations. Certain major changes were ushered in by SharePoint 2010 and SharePoint 2013 carried on with the trend through the introduction of some revolutionary features with respect to web content management, big data, search and workflow. Here are 10 top reasons why you should consider upgrading to SharePoint 2013.

1. SharePoint apps

The Apps for SharePoint are autonomous functional pieces that broaden the potential of a SharePoint website. JavaScript, HTML, CSS, as well as protocols like OAuth (Open Auth) and OData (Open Data) can be leveraged to communicate with SharePoint with the help of Apps. Since the app constitutes a safe isolated container, it is possible to go for client site calls through the use of JavaScript. One of the most noteworthy advantages of the app model is that there is a separate server for running of custom code. Hence the organization does not need to worry about potential performance problems that the custom apps may create.

2. Free Office Web apps that operate across mobile devices

In case of external as well as internal users, Office Web apps do not require any office client. The only thing is that internal users need to possess an Office 2013 license (pro or standard) so that they can edit documents. Extranet users can avail free Office web apps and moreover, they do not require CALs. Again, Office Web apps at present operate on mobile devices such as the iPad.

3. Enhanced workflow

When you upgrade to SharePoint 2013, it is possible to maintain the previous SharePoint 2010 engine. You can download and install a new add-on known as the Workflow Manager separately. This Workflow Manager is capable of running across its own server. Moreover, respective databases are there for the Service Bus and the manager itself. With SharePoint 2013, workflow creation has become extremely convenient, due to the presence of the Task Process Designer canvas. It makes use of a Visio 2013 add-in inside SharePoint Designer 2013.

4. SharePoint Search

For the 2013 version, Microsoft has come up with SharePoint Search wherein the FAST features are built in. This ensures scalable and powerful search for the users bringing in broader search capability, faster results and more functionality.

5. OData supporting Business Connectivity Services

SharePoint 2013 comes with BCS or Business Connectivity Services that facilitates connection and interfacing with data that is external to SharePoint, with the help of added OData Support. SharePoint was always able to come up with list data by being an OData provider, and now it can join with external sources with the help of OData.

6. Yammer integration

Every SharePoint release brings with it new enhancements and social features. Microsoft has already purchased Yammer last year and lately the Yammer integration roadmap has been released by the company. Ultimately Yammer integration is all set to entirely replace the SharePoint Newsfeed through 90-day updates.

7. Community Portal Template

SharePoint Server 2013 broadens the discussion list concept through the introduction of Community Site, a new site template. The unique feature is that users can have access to this site and also observe conversations, following which they can join a community for posting. Other noteworthy aspects of the site template include the following:

• Once you become a member, the community site can be automatically followed.
• Adjacent to all posts, member photos are revealed.
• To trigger participation, “gamification” options such as badges, points are there.
• Capability of topic based conversation categorizing.

8. Big data support

SharePoint 2013, with the help of integrated PowerPivot technology, facilitates support for larger data. Created over the Vertipaq engine, it is possible to compress and filter large data sets, making room for speedier operations.

9. Cross-Site publishing enabling enhanced publishing capabilities

SharePoint Server 2013 brings in cross-site publishing to ensure effective web content management. This in turn improves the authoring and publishing procedure of the company. With the help of cross-site publishing, storage and maintenance of content is possible for one or more sites. There is an authoring site collection wherein once the content is changed, the same gets reflected on other site collections where the content is being reused.

10. Enhanced design capabilities

SharePoint Server 2013 offers enhanced features for site design and content layout.

• Customization of the current and global navigation menus can be done by designers and site owners through direct drag and drop of menu items onto the page.
• Sites can now be branded utilizing external tools such as Dreamweaver.
• SharePoint Server 2013 renders support in order to target different devices like set-top boxes, tablets and Smartphones.

SharePoint 2013, with all its innovative features, is indeed a great choice for those looking for an outstanding content management and collaboration solution that enhances productivity. If you planning for a sharepoint site migration to the latest version, make sure you evaluate the development company based on their expertise in handling migration services.

We provide sharepoint application development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert sharepoint developers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.