GTconsult Monthly Newsletter- June 2024

03.07.24 01:14 PM Comment(s) By Boitumelo

And just like that, we are in the second half of the year. Don't worry, we're not here to pressure you about your progress on your 2024 New Year's resolutions

We're here to loop you in on the month that was here at GT.

What's in this newsletter?

We're excited to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter, packed with the newest updates and insights from GTconsult. In this issue, you'll find:

New Team Members: We're thrilled to introduce the newest additions to our team. Learn more about their backgrounds, expertise, and the unique perspectives they bring to our organization.
Our Content: Catch up on our content that you may have missed.
Latest SharePoint and SharePoint Related News: Stay informed with the recent developments, updates, and announcements on all things SharePoint, ensuring you're always ahead of the curve.
Latest News at GTconsult: Get the scoop on what's happening at GTconsult.

We hope you enjoy this edition and find the information valuable. As always, your feedback is important to us, so feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions.

Meet the new kids on the block

We are thrilled to welcome two new team members to the GTconsult family this past month. Each of them brings unique skills and fresh perspectives that we are excited to integrate into our projects and daily operations. Their enthusiasm and expertise will undoubtedly contribute to our ongoing success and innovation. Welcome aboard! Let's take a moment to learn a little more about them.

Introducing Trevin Pillay: Our New Junior Business Analyst

Trevin Pillay, the newest member of our team at GT Consult, is stepping into the role of Junior Business Analyst. Trevin brings a wealth of experience from his previous position as a Category Manager – Pharmaceuticals in the Western Cape for Clicks SA. Reflecting on his career transition, Trevin shared, "Business analysis is something that I have been wanting to get into, and completing a course in the field has intrigued me further to explore a career in this position."

Trevin is enthusiastic about his new role and the opportunities it brings. "I am excited and proud to work for GT Consult. I can’t wait to get the ball rolling and start liaising with clients and the team to get the job done," he said. His eagerness to engage with both clients and colleagues underscores his commitment to contributing to our team's success. Trevin is particularly drawn to the dynamic nature of the IT industry, stating, "The IT industry is constantly growing, and I am happy to join one of the leading organizations in the field to learn and grow more within the business."

We are confident that Trevin's skills, enthusiasm, and dedication will make a significant impact at GT Consult. Welcome aboard, Trevin!

Background and skills

With a background rich in client interaction, Trevin emphasizes his strengths in communication and attention to detail. "I have dealt with multiple clients over my years of work, and I enjoy interacting with different people. I pay special attention to detail, which will certainly help the team with correctly identifying the requirements of the projects so our team can complete their job correctly and efficiently," he noted. This meticulous approach is sure to enhance our project outcomes and client satisfaction.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Trevin has clear professional aspirations. He aims to further his studies in business analysis to enhance his efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, he aspires to take on a management role in the future, demonstrating his commitment to growth and leadership within the company.

Hobbies and interests

Outside of work, Trevin maintains a passion for sports, particularly cricket and soccer. "Whether it is playing cricket and soccer after work or watching my favorite teams on the weekend, this really helps maintain my work-life balance," he shared. Additionally, Trevin has a unique hobby of collecting stamps, especially those obtained at immigration in different countries, despite the cost and rarity. This interesting blend of personal interests highlights his dynamic personality and zest for life.

Say 'hello' to Mari: Our New Senior SharePoint Developer

We are delighted to welcome Mari Theron to our team as a Senior SharePoint Developer. Mari brings a diverse and extensive background in technology. She began her career in VB6 development and quickly expanded into various roles, including IT support, web development, digital marketing, and project management. Reflecting on her decision to join GT Consult, Mari shared, "I was really impressed by GT Consult's innovative approach to technology and how they use cutting-edge tools to tackle business challenges. It felt like the perfect place to bring my skills and passion for automation."

Mari is enthusiastic about her new role and the opportunities it presents. "I'm really excited about working with such a talented and dynamic team. The opportunity to create impactful, user-friendly solutions with SharePoint and Power Platform tools is thrilling. I love the idea of transforming complex processes into streamlined workflows that make everyone's lives easier," she expressed. Her enthusiasm for collaborating with her new colleagues and leveraging advanced tools underscores her commitment to delivering high-quality solutions.

Background and skills

With a rich background in various tech roles, Mari prides herself on her holistic understanding of business needs. "I've had the chance to wear many hats in my career, which has given me a broad perspective on business needs. Whether it's IT support, digital marketing, project management, or web development, I’ve done it all. I'm particularly proud of my ability to understand what clients need and turn those insights into solutions that boost efficiency and productivity," she explained. This versatility and depth of experience will undoubtedly enhance our team’s ability to deliver effective and innovative solutions.

Looking Ahead

Looking forward, Mari is keen on pushing the boundaries of automation and digital transformation. "I want to keep pushing the envelope in automation and digital transformation. I aim to lead innovative projects that help clients work smarter, not harder. I also want to deepen my expertise in SharePoint and the Power Platform, becoming a go-to expert and thought leader in the field," she shared. Her dedication to continuous learning and leadership in the field highlights her forward-thinking approach.

Hobbies and interests

Outside of work, Mari leads an active and vibrant life. "I love dancing, whether it's for exercise, fun, or even aerial dance. I'm also a scuba diver, although I haven't been in the water since 2019. Live music and events are my jam, and as an extrovert, I thrive on spending time with people. Whether it's grabbing a drink with a friend, having a braai, or planning a holiday with a group, I get my energy from social interactions," she revealed. Her diverse interests and extroverted nature add a unique and lively dimension to her profile.

We are excited to have Mari on board and look forward to the incredible contributions she will make to our team. Welcome, Mari!

Catch up

Have you been keeping up with our content? If you've fallen behind, we've got you. Check out some of our awesome content that you may have missed out on.

Let's talk vulnerability assessments

"Millions and millions of connections happen every second between people, machines, apps, and devices to share and access data. These interactions create exciting opportunities for how we engage with technology and with each other—but they also create an ever-expanding attack surface with more and more vulnerabilities. Staying up-to-speed with the changing landscape is challenging, and many businesses have large gaps in security coverage." - Microsoft Security

By conducting both internal and external vulnerability assessments regularly, organizations can ensure a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, addressing threats from both inside and outside the network. This layered security strategy is essential for protecting critical assets, maintaining regulatory compliance, and safeguarding the organization’s reputation and trust.

FAQs answered in June

What are the benefits of outsourcing SharePoint services?

Among the many benefits, here are a few to consider:

Access to niche skills: Not every organization has the specialized skills required for maximizing the potential of SharePoint. By outsourcing, you gain access to experts who live and breathe SharePoint, ensuring you maximize the potential of your SharePoint environment.

Cost-efficiency: Outsourcing eliminates the need for a full-time team, allowing you to save on costs and allocate resources more efficiently. This approach also provides the flexibility to scale your needs up or down without the financial burden of maintaining a permanent team.

Expert guidance: Partnering with a knowledgeable organization provides access to expert guidance, best practices, and valuable advice for managing your SharePoint environment effectively.

24/7 Support: Outsourcing offers round-the-clock support, ensuring issues are promptly addressed and minimizing downtime.

Customization: Outsourcing firms can deliver tailored SharePoint solutions that integrate with other business systems and applications.

Focus on core business activities: Outsourcing allows your organization to concentrate on core business activities without the distraction of managing SharePoint in-house.

These are just a few of the many benefits that come with partnering with a specialized SharePoint service provider. Learn about leveraging GTconsult's A Team Development agreement for peace of mind when it comes to your SharePoint environment🎥:

What is the significance of a maintenance report when receiving support for SharePoint on Premises?

These reports are important because they enable proactive maintenance by helping identify and resolve issues before they become critical, ensuring your SharePoint environment runs efficiently. They provide security assurance by monitoring for vulnerabilities and ensuring compliance with security standards. Additionally, they aid in resource management by keeping track of support hours and optimizing their use. The reports offer data-driven insights for informed decision-making, and they enhance user satisfaction by tracking user activity and feedback to improve the overall user experience.

Stay proactive and keep your SharePoint on Premises environment running smoothly!

Learn more about our support offerings

When conducting a penetration test, will business operations be interrupted?

No, business operations will not be interrupted. These attack simulations are carefully scheduled to run after hours, ensuring minimal impact on the daily activities. Additionally, thorough planning and coordination help mitigate any potential risks, allowing the tests to be conducted smoothly without disrupting normal business functions.

Penetration testing is a great tool for discovering and taking action to mitigate vulnerabilities before the bad guys get to them. Learn more about the process of penetration testing right here:

All things SharePoint

SharePoint Benchmark Report

Recently, Swoop Analytics released a SharePoint Intranet Benchmark report to give insights into how people are using and accessing their SharePoint Intranet.

We have put together an infographic summarising some of the key take aways from the report.

Something to think about:

According to the report, on average, employees spend just 16 minutes a day on the intranet.

The 16 minutes employees dedicate to the intranet may seem short, but it’s a pivotal period for accessing critical information, connecting with colleagues, and staying updated on company news.

Understanding the significance of these 16 minutes is the first step towards creating a more dynamic and effective intranet experience. By focusing on relevant content, user experience, and interactive features, you can transform your intranet into a powerful tool that supports your employees and drives your organization forward.

Tip: One of the effective ways to do this is by creating a knowledge base repository.

SharePoint Embedded

Microsoft has announced the general availability of SharePoint Embedded!!

What does this mean?

Now, developers can integrate advanced Microsoft 365 features, including full featured collaborative functions from Office, Purview's security and compliance tools, and Copilot capabilities, into their apps, facilitating the creation of enterprise line of business apps and ISV apps with a metered, pay-as-you-go service model.

Not clear what SharePoint Embedded is all about? We’ve got you!

GTconsult cofounders, Craig Tarr and Bradley Geldenhuys, covered SharePoint embedded in their podcast, Ten Ton Potato.

Click on any of the links below to access the podcast on your preferred platform.

In the spotlight at GTconsult

Celebrating Craig Tarr's Achievement

GTconsult cofounder and CEO, Craig Tarr, recently wrote and passed the Azure AI Engineer certification exam.

You can learn more about this awesome achievement by reading the full blog:

Read the full blog

We're Hiring!!!

We're looking for some awesome people to join our team. If you or anyone you know fits the bill, we encourage you to apply for/share our posts below.

Senior SharePoint Developer

We are looking for a SharePoint Developer in South Africa - hybrid workers welcome. This individual should be excited about the Microsoft productivity stack and enjoy creating productivity solutions in SharePoint and the Power Platform.

Apply

Project Manager

We are looking for a Project Manager in South Africa. This individual should be excited about the Microsoft productivity stack, be skilled, organized and reliable. Being a people person is a definite plus.

Apply

Account Manager

We are seeking an Account Manager with strong interpersonal skills, problem solving abilities, deep customer affinity and communication skills, to strengthen our bond and drive sales into our existing clients based on SharePoint/Office 365 and productivity tools and offerings.

Apply

And that's all for this month, if you would like to keep up with us...and don't want to hang tight until the next newsletter, feel free to follow us on all our socials to stay up to date with all things GTconsult.

Have an awesome July!