SharePoint 2013 Cloud Computing Advantage for Developers

With the 2013 version for the SharePoint server, Microsoft has integrated numerous online compatibilities using which numerous business operations can now be migrated to the cloud. For the SharePoint developer the new version comes with a host of features that are both novel and interesting, these include, cloud app model, platform enhancements, mobile apps, development tools and much more. The range of SharePoint services that a company can now offer is vast and can meet the needs of more number of business operations. We enumerate below a few prominent advantages of the SharePoint 2013 to developers:

Development Tools

The new SharePoint 2013 comes with a host of new developmental tools such as-

Visual Studio 2012: with a unified system for developing apps for SharePoint, MS Office and Office apps hosted by SharePoint, project template app for SharePoint 2013

Visual Studio 2012: with a unified system for developing apps for SharePoint, MS Office and Office apps hosted by SharePoint, project template app for SharePoint 2013 SharePoint Designer

SharePoint Designer SharePoint Project: With new Properties window and Properties page to act as support apps

SharePoint Project: With new Properties window and Properties page to act as support apps Web-based tools such as Napa with Office 365 Development Tools for app development

Web-based tools such as Napa with Office 365 Development Tools for app development Cloud App model Support: More improvements to offer full support to cloud model including OData, OAuth support and Workflow Manager Client 1.0 platform

Core Platform Enhancements

SharePoint 2013 has enhanced capabilities that make it compatible to support the cloud computing architecture and the app-driven framework. The software comes with social networking integration and supports design and execution of rich applications. The SharePoint 2013 Development kit includes a range of new APIs for both server and client, Representational State transfer (REST) endpoints for web services and Remote event receivers along with client side rendering.

Cloud App Model

With SharePoint online, the cloud app model becomes a central element for development. SharePoint apps are functional elements of the website to extend its capabilities. There is a wide range of categories offering app development opportunities and may include SharePoint components such as workflows, lists and site pages. SharePoint apps do not have any custom code and are unrelated to SharePoint besides the platform it is built on, and all custom logic moves “up” to the cloud or “down” to client computers. The apps will feature on the Office Store or App catalogue.

SharePoint Mobile

SharePoint 2013 functionalities can be migrated to the mobile platform seamlessly since most of the services and applications are cloud based. hence, any new development work, for applications especially, must be made with compatibility for desktop devices as well as mobile devices.

These mobility features can be built using existing Microsoft tools and technologies such as SharePoint phone application wizard template in Visual Studio, Microsoft Silverlight, and Windows Phone 7.

With SharePoint 2013, Microsoft is tapping on the growing demand for cloud capabilities by businesses that are looking forward to expand beyond their existing boundaries. SharePoint developers can tap into this opportunity by developing highly functional SharePoint apps and features for their clients.