Happy days are here for SharePoint 2016 fans.

Microsoft just pushed out the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) version and announced the final version will be generally available May 4.

It's also released the RTM of Project Server 2016 that's distributed as part of SharePoint Server 2016.

As part of today’s announcement, Microsoft has also made cloud hybrid search for SharePoint Server 2013 and later editions available. This will allow on-premises and Office 365 content to be surfaced in one search result.

'Important Milestone'

In a blog post, Seth Patton, general manager for the SharePoint and OneDrive Product Management team, describes the release of SharePoint 2016 RTM as an "important milestone" in the delivery of a “significant release” with new capabilities for users, IT pros and administrators. He noted that it has numerous capabilities that will make hybrid cloud environments easier to build and manage.

Patton added that RTM was developed on the back of feedback Microsoft received from those who tested the Release Candidate and two earlier beta versions.

“Your input, coupled with our learnings from running SharePoint at scale in Office 365, make SharePoint Server 2016 the most reliable, scalable, secure and high-performing SharePoint server release ever," he wrote.

So What’s New?

Microsoft already leaked the fact that it would be going to RTM on March 14 so today's news wasn’t a surprise. However, Patton did note that Microsoft is "on a mission to make SharePoint simpler, mobile and intelligent and secure to help customers unlock the value of having it as an integrated part of Office 365."

Not only will Microsoft optimize SharePoint’s mobile capabilities, it also intends to make it easier to use.

“This year, we will release significant new innovations spanning user experiences, document collaboration, mobile enhancements and platform improvements that will redefine modern content collaboration,” he added.

It is unlikely that between now and May 4 that Microsoft will say much about SharePoint 2016. However, it has promised to outline its vision for SharePoint and OneDrive for Business, both on-premises and in the cloud with Office 365, in an online event at 9:30 am Pacific Time May 4.