UNWRAPPING THE NEW MICROSOFT LISTS APP & HOW TO USE IT
One of the big drivers of adopting new technology is to improve productivity. 75% of businesses are projected to increase the use of productivity tools this year.
The use of cloud business solutions is one of the main ways that companies boost productivity and efficiency. Through the replacement of manual processes with automated ones and tools that streamline workflows, employees can do more in less time.
Choosing the best cloud software for your business should include looking for those that continue adding value through new features.
One platform that is continually evolving and adding new features and tools is Microsoft 365. This popular productivity suite includes the office workhorses, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, but it also adds multiple other 21st century collaborative tools to the mix, such as OneDrive and Microsoft Teams.
The newest app to be added to nearly all business and enterprise Microsoft 365 subscriptions is called Microsoft Lists.
For any business that has been confused by how to use the lists feature in SharePoint, Microsoft Lists is going to clear everything up. The app features dynamic ways to organize and process your list-based workflows.
This tool has the ability to transform itself into different types of apps. For example, it can handle a ticket resolution workflow, provide a visual way to keep inventory, and transform into a project management application.
We’ll go through the basics of Microsoft Lists below and how you can use this new app to replace manual workflows, lower cloud subscription costs, and save time.
MICROSOFT LISTS: DYNAMIC & ORGANIZED LISTS
Most of us have more list-based workflows than we realize. For example, how many different spreadsheets does your business have floating around that you use for tracking different types of lists?
You may have one for lead nurturing, to manage an employee onboarding process, or to keep track of shipping activities.
Using Lists, you can not only ditch the spreadsheets, but also make lists collaborative by bringing them into an online environment.
Those business and enterprise users of Microsoft 365 that have SharePoint, may have already noticed the new Lists app showing up in places like their Teams tabs.
Microsoft Lists can be accessed via web, through a mobile app, or from inside Microsoft teams. Lists can also be shared with others, so everyone can collaborate together.
Lists is described as a way to track information, organize work, and customize workflows for your team. It can do multiple things and has many exciting features when it comes to improving the productivity of workflows.
Microsoft Lists Issue Tracker Template
KEEP ALL LISTS IN ONE PLACE
Trying to keep track of all your spreadsheets or lists in other places, like a task management app, can be difficult. You have to remember which folder something is in or pull up different assets to find what you’re looking for.
With Microsoft Lists, you can keep all your lists in a single interface that makes them easy to find and access from any location, because it’s cloud based.
You can “favorite” lists to keep them easily accessible and see your most recently used lists, so all your lists are at your fingertips and you know where to find them.
VIEW LISTS IN DIFFERENT WAYS
One of the features that gives Lists the ability to replace other applications is that you can view your information in multiple ways.
For example, you can use a data-driven view for a ticket resolution tracking process, or a visual card view for a list of your sales leads.
Some of the ways you can view your lists include:
- STANDARD VIEW
- GALLERY VIEW
- CALENDAR VIEW
- CARD VIEW
- DATA VIEW
TRACK LIST ACTIVITIES WITH NOTIFICATIONS
You can set up rules in Lists that allow notifications when a List item has been updated, added, or deleted. This reduces the need to continually follow up with someone on an activity and can save time when it comes to moving an item from one point in a process to another.
Examples of using notifications in Lists:
- CREATE A NOTIFICATION ON A VENDOR ONBOARDING WORKFLOW THAT NOTIFIES THE NEXT PERSON IN THE PROCESS THAT IT’S THEIR TURN.
- SEND A NOTIFICATION TO YOUR SECURITY OFFICE WHEN SOMEONE IS ADDED TO A VISITOR CHECK-IN LIST AT THE FRONT DESK.
- NOTIFY A TEAM LEADER THAT A TASK HAS BEEN COMPLETED ON A PROJECT TRACKING LIST.
LIST TEMPLATES MAKE GETTING STARTED EASY
You can create lists from scratch, from another list, using an Excel spreadsheet, or from a pre-set template. The templates in Microsoft Lists not only make it easy to get started, they also help you understand where you can use the app to improve your workflows.
Some of the List templates you’ll find in the app include:
- ASSET MANAGER
- CONTENT SCHEDULER
- EMPLOYEE ONBOARDING
- EVENT ITINERARY
- ISSUE TRACKER
- RECRUITMENT TRACKER
- TRAVEL REQUESTS
- WORK PROGRESS TRACKER
IS YOUR TENNESSEE BUSINESS USING YOUR CLOUD TOOLS TO THE FULLEST?
Are you leaving some of the value of your cloud tools on the table by not tapping into their full potential? Unbound Digital can help your Tennessee business take advantage of productivity tools like Microsoft 365, Lists, and more.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Call 423-335-2461 or reach us online.
