SharePoint Server 2016 Release Candidate is available

Microsoft released SharePoint Server Beta 2 in November of last year and just released SharePoint Server 2016 Release Candidate (RC) last week. SharePoint Server 2016 RC represents an important milestone for customers and partners that are looking to deploy and evaluate SharePoint Server before general availability in the Spring of 2016.

Since over 5,000 people have downloaded and given feedback on SharePoint Server 2016 previews, Microsoft has been able to put together this high-quality Release Candidate.

Microsoft says SharePoint 2016 is their most reliable, scalable, secure and high-performant server release ever. SharePoint 2016 has built-in Hybrid Cloud capabilities, that’s why it is the premier choice for organizations who want to take advantage of the newest innovations in Microsoft Cloud offerings, while maintaining their critical content or custom applications on-premises. Microsoft expects SharePoint Server 2016 to help organizations unlock breakthrough performance and resiliency as well as quickly build solutions, extend data across on-premises and Office 365 with confidence that their data will be safe and secure.

SharePoint Server 2016 RC offers:

Enhanced user productivity – SharePoint Server 2016 provides better mobile access to content, people and applications along with touch-based experiences across all of your devices and screen sizes. SharePoint Server 2016 also offers an easier way to use file storage and document collaboration. With SharePoint Server 2016’s seamless hybrid integration to Office 365, users of SharePoint Server 2016 can now take advantage of new and improved productivity applications like Delve, SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business.

Improved IT – SharePoint Server 2016 provides unequaled deployment flexibility, whether you’re looking to deploy on-premises, in the cloud or in a hybrid setup. Business needs and technology advancements are converging, IT professionals have a unique opportunity to take advantage of new innovations in their organizations across no-premises and Office 365. If you want to learn more about a hybrid SharePoint and Office set up click here.

SharePoint Server 2015 also helps provide data security and compliance by offering simplified configuration and administration for regulatory policies.

Constant development – SharePoint Server 2016 has implemented a unified development experience across server and cloud with modern APIs.

Developers now have new ways to create contextual solutions that span SharePoint Server 2016 and Office 365 from the web, mobile apps and Office. Now there are easier and more robust APIs and improved tools that help make building software solutions easier than ever before.

Securing the foundation – Since business and technology can change so dramatically in today’s society, responding quickly to user demands can be a challenge. If you choose to deploy SharePoint Online with Office 365 or SharePoint Server on-premises, you need software that will help you take advantage on new technologies or services quickly. SharePoint Server 2016 was designed to position Microsoft’s on-premises customers to take advantage of innovations quicker, whether SharePoint is deployed on-premises, in the cloud or in a hybrid configuration.

SharePoint Server 2016 RC also includes the Project Server 2016 RC.

Test out SharePoint Server 2016 RC

Download: SharePoint Server 2016 RC from the Microsoft Download Center.

Is your organization pumped up are the SharePoint Server 2016 release this year? I know I am, I am ready to implement all the new features SharePoint 2016 will offer.

If you are currently testing out SharePoint Server 2016 RC, let us know what your thoughts are.