One thing Microsoft has been really great at over the years has been the production of all kinds of technical and non-technical training information. We have TechNet, MSDN, Channel 9, and many others. Customers always ask me for these and how to get new users up to speed quickly with SharePoint, so I’ve decided to write this blog and list them out!
1. http://www.discoversharepoint.com
Target Audience = Business Users
This site is great. It replaces the I Use SharePoint site MSFT built for SharePoint 2010. Its still new and not all of the content is there yet, but the site has different sections for different industries and really does a good job providing real world examples to how SharePoint 2013 can be used. For a savvy business user who has never worked with SharePoint, this is a great springboard to connect the dots conceptually. If you’ve been using SharePoint for a while now, you can skip this one.
2. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/microsoft-office-365-for-home-or-for-business-office-online-FX101825692.aspx
Target Audience = Business Users
This is an actual try it for yourself site! For the first time in the product’s history, Microsoft will give you a 30 day trial, that does not require you to install a single bit of software on a server. Through the Office 365 Cloud platform, this site will provision you a tenant and let you play around with all of the features, cost free for 30 days. For some people, myself included, I learn best by touching and playing with things and that makes this a great option for novice users! (I would recommend 1 tenant per organization, not per user)
3. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/office365-sharepoint-online-enterprise-help/get-started-with-sharepoint-2013-HA102772778.aspx
Target Audience = Business Users
Getting Started with SharePoint, a very basic introduction into the product. It gives 10 things you can do with the product to get started. Basic intro stuff, but links off to this next site…
4. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint-help/training-courses-for-sharepoint-2013-HA104030990.aspx?CTT=5&origin=HA102772778
Target Audience = Business Users
Training Courses for SharePoint 2013, mostly beginner level, even the ones they call intermediate. Still a really good place for business users to get started. All downloadable content, and free!
5. http://channel9.msdn.com/
Target Audience = Business Users, IT Pro’s, Developers
Channel 9 is a great place to find all sorts of videos on all sorts of topics. Use the search function to find what you are looking for. Happy hunting!
6. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc262880.aspx
Target Audience = IT Pro’s, Developers
TechNet Videos for SharePoint 2013 are geared towards the technical side of the product, conceptual videos on: upgrade, authentication, test labs, install and configure, operate and maintain.
That’s the list of video and dynamic content, but be sure to check out the text based TechNet – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc303422.aspx and MSDN – http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj162979.aspx as they both provide excellent resources.
New to SharePoint 2013? Here are FREE Training Resources
by Joe Crabtree on October 9th, 2013 | ~ minute read
