How to avoid headache with SharePoint (5 reasons to manage contracts)
Contract management takes place within several industries, in varying departments. Contracts are executed for many reasons, such as to maximize financial or operational performance. Every company can benefit from automating the process of managing these contracts in order to make it as efficient as possible. One way we recommend automating the contract management process is through Microsoft SharePoint. The platform allows for endless customization and configuration possibilities, many of which work seamlessly with the contract management process. Here, we have listed some reasons why we recommend using SharePoint to manage your contracts.
Managing contracts with SharePoint
Automate workflows
By automating the contract management process through SharePoint, you are able to automate any number of workflows. One workflow that we recommend automating through SharePoint is the contract approval process. This provides visibility into contracts’ status for those responsible for approving them, as well as those waiting for approval. There are several other ways to automate workflows as well. These all depend on the processes an organization follows. For example, add a “request change” feature which allows users to suggest changes and edits for contract documents. Also, automatically notify those responsible for implementing changes when a change is requested.
Document storage SharePoint
Collaboration
Another feature that we recommend adding to SharePoint is a discussion board. In other words, create a discussion board specifically for working on contracts. When multiple users are working on the same contract, they are able to post comments and feedback on the discussion board for others to read.
Templates
By adding templates to SharePoint, users are able to write contracts quickly and easily. We recommend uploading templates for each contract type. Users are able to customize these templates to mimic their company’s writing style and common contract types. Once the templates are uploaded, they will be readily available on SharePoint so that users are able to easily access them.
Advanced search functionality
SharePoint’s advanced search functionality allows users to search specific queries to find exactly what they are looking for. For example, a user would use advanced search if he or she does not remember the exact title of a contract they are looking for, but knows one phrase that is included in the title or other specific information, such as the author. An advanced search would allow for them to find the contract they are looking for using this information, as opposed to having to scroll through a long list of documents in a file library. Additionally, users are able to export these searches to Excel.
