This guide walks employees through the process of downloading the SharePoint Mobile App and accessing VDOT's new SharePoint Online site from any connected device.
Most everyone at VDOT is well aware that the agency is upgrading from SharePoint 2010 to SharePoint Online (SPOL), a cloud-based solution that will better support the "VDOT of Tomorrow" initiative and many other initiatives central to the agency's Business Plan.
Because it is cloud-based, SPOL will be a lot more flexible than SharePoint 2010, including one important way that has not gotten a lot of press yet. What's that you ask?
Well, VDOT's new and improved SharePoint presence will be accessible from devices that are NOT on the VDOT network...including mobile devices like Android or iOS smartphones and tablets, and those devices do not even need to be issued by VDOT.
Translation: VDOT employees can install the SharePoint Mobile App on any mobile device they want and they can do so right now!
It's not super hard, but to help you get started the VDOT Research Library created this nifty new Guide to Using the SharePoint Mobile App, which provides step-by step instructions to support users of Android or iOS devices.
You're probably aware that content from the the current InsideVDOT site is being gradually migrated to the new SharePoint Online site (the first 20+ business units are already on the new SharePoint Online system) between now and summer. But just in case here are some FAQs and the general migration schedule, with the goal of full site migration by early June 2021.
That will be a sizeable task involving lots of IT folks, content managers and content creators from all VDOT districts and divisions. When completed, that will mean all of InsideVDOT can be accessible from inside your pocket or wherever you keep your mobile device.
That's helpful these days since we are all a lot more mobile than we used to be.
Questions? Please let me know. We're here to help.
Ken Winter
(434) 962-8979
VDOT Research Library
The animation above shows how the library's 'Hot Topics' page works. Click it to try it yourself!
Are you sick of searching for the latest news and research on YOUR hot topics? If so you are not alone...
To lend you a hand the VDOT Research Library created this nifty "Hot Topics" page that does the searching for you, revealing the latest news and vetted research on subjects like: Autonomous Vehicles, Drones, Resilience, and more.
This page has been around since 2017, but lots of busy VDOT employees still might not know it is there, so we've started beefing up the "classic" Hot Topics with "new" Hot Topics, like Pandemics and Transportation Equity.
What's the point, you ask?
This page can save you tons of time and delivers relevant results from authoritative news and research sources without you having to search all over the Internet. You don't have to figure out the best database to use, the best keywords, or create any kind of account. Most of all, you don't have to repeat that process multiple times just to see "what's trending" on your issue.
Of course, the site is freely accessible from any connected device (including mobile devices!) at: http://library.virginiadot.org/guides/hot-topics/
Sound too good to be true? Here's how it works:
1. Select a topic (we provide 13 topics, but you can use this online form to send us a comment or suggestion for new topics). The page uses a technology called "RSS" to dynamically load the results of pre-configured searches from TRB's TRID database and breaking headlines from Google News.
To reduce "information overload" each feed displays the 5 most recent Headlines or Articles with "linked" titles and the date of publication or indexing to make it easy for you to skim for the good stuff.
2. Check back every now and then (hint: bookmark your favorite topic!) since news is always breaking and fresh research can be published or indexed daily!
3. The feeds described above take you to articles, reports and similar "published" content. Depending on the source (some have paywalls!) you may be prompted to pull out your credit card. You can do that if you wish.
Or...you can click the Help tab and fill out citation details for what you need in the Request a Document Delivery form. We'll do our best to deliver what you need charge. We can't make guarantees, but just so you know we deliver around 400 books, articles, reports and other "premium" resources to VDOT customers this way a year.
Bookmark Hot Topics today, share with a friend, and contact us with your questions or comments.
After all, our job is to help you do your job!
Ken Winter
434-962-8979
VDOT Research Library
Commenting on blog posts requires an account.
Login is required to interact with this comment. Please and try again.
If you do not have an account, Register Now.