Extinction is Coming --- Meet the New Infopath Replacement

Dinosaurs, Dodo Birds, Giant Sloths – another one is about to bite the dust. Be prepared to add one more item to your list of extinct creatures who once roamed the world.

The next on the list to fall into the dark chasm of nothingness is...InfoPath. That's right - InfoPath will no longer be a part of SharePoint come 2023. Not to fret, there are many great InfoPath replacements out there on the market. Before making a final selection, take a couple minutes to ask yourself some questions before settling on a solution. We put together an InfoPath Replacement Checklist to get you through your transition. ​​​​​

Price: What type of budget are you working with? Depending on the scale of your company and overall budget, you may not want to invest a large portion of your budget for replacing InfoPath. Although there are many alternatives out there that are more cost efficient, buying a new solution that is compatible with SharePoint should not be overlooked. Be sure to ask how well your new solution integrates with SharePoint.

Installation: This brings me to my next point. How easily will your new solution be to install? With all the other projects on your desk, the last thing you want to spend time on is another time-consuming installation. Make sure to ask each vendor how quickly you will be up and running. 

Intuitive Features: How easy is it to use? The last thing you want to have your end users spending hours trying to figure out how to use a new product. Pick an InfoPath replacement that has intuitive features. Although there are quite a few options for InfoPath alternatives on the market, make sure to purchase one with drag-and-drop features.

Functionality: How functional is your new solution? Make sure you have the same form capabilities with your new product that you had before when you were using InfoPath. Ask specific questions and get technical with your sales rep. When switching to a new product, you want to make sure to be well educated about how a product works.

Mobility:​ If mobility is not an issue yet, it will be soon. It's time to make sure that your SharePoint site will one day be fully functional. This means your forms will be used on mobile devices on day. Get a running start on enterprise mobility and ask your rep about your possible InfoPath replacements mobile capabilities.

In Conclusion: 

As you look to find the most suitable InfoPath Replacement think not only about your needs now but your future needs. The end user is constantly facing new work problems and as such you need a solution that is flexible enough to adapt and solve new problems quickly.

Note: This blog was originally published on the Emgage Website