If your organization runs on Microsoft 365, you’ve likely turned to SharePoint for your staff directory. But is it really working for you?
Previously, you may have relied on Microsoft Delve to pull data from Azure Active Directory (AAD) and display detailed employee profiles, including contact details, job titles, and organizational structure. However, since December 2024, Delve has been retired, with Microsoft Profile Cards and Org Explorer the default replacements.
The fact is, neither Delve nor its replacements work perfectly as a Staff Directory solution within SharePoint, so if your organization is struggling to make it work, you’re not alone.
So, let’s look at the challenges of using a SharePoint Staff Directory and how to resolve them.
Common challenges with a SharePoint Staff Directory
Poor search capabilities
Finding colleagues by name is easy. But what if you need to search by department, skills, location, or job role? SharePoint’s limited filtering options slow teams down.
Outdated employee profiles
Many organizations struggle with inconsistent and missing data, as SharePoint relies on manual updates instead of real-time sync with Active Directory.
Lack of customization
A Staff Directory in SharePoint isn’t built for scalability, meaning you can’t easily customize fields, display formats, or integrate additional employee details.
Limited integration
While SharePoint connects with AAD, it doesn’t offer a seamless experience across Teams, Outlook, and other Microsoft tools, making it harder for employees to find and contact colleagues
Why a customizable, up-to-date Staff Directory with enhanced search matters
Three words: collaboration, productivity and efficiency.
It sounds obvious but the ability to find the right person, quickly, whether by name, job title, department, skills or location, can help deliver all these things for your organization, including:
- Faster decision-making: Get the right expertise in seconds, not hours.
- Stronger collaboration: Connect teams across departments, offices, and remote locations.
- Increased productivity: Less time searching, more time doing.
- Smoother onboarding: New hires instantly see who’s who and how teams fit together.
- Better knowledge-sharing: Find people based on skills, not just job titles.
- Stronger IT security: Ensure accurate, role-based access with real-time Azure AD sync.
So, what’s the answer if your employee directory in SharePoint just doesn’t cut it?
The alternative to your SharePoint Staff Directory
A third-party app, like Cloudwell’s Staff Directory, is your fully integrated way to manage employee directories without the frustration.
Cloudwell’s Staff Directory was built as a response to SharePoint’s lack of native directory for staff to find their colleagues.
Built specifically for SharePoint and Teams, and integrated with Azure Active Directory, Staff Directory provides a customizable and flexible directory that looks and feels native.
This Staff Directory app has transformed our SharePoint intranet into a hub of employee information and collaboration. I love the search functionality because it is lightning-fast, and the interface is incredibly user-friendly. We've seen a significant increase in employee engagement since implementing this app, and it's become an indispensable tool for our entire organization. Great job Cloudwell!
The benefits of Cloudwell's Staff Directory app
1. Seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystem
Staff Directory integrates seamlessly with both SharePoint and Microsoft Teams, providing a consistent and cohesive user experience across platforms and prevents the need for employees to switch between apps.
By aligning with AAD, the app ensures that employee information is always current, reducing manual updates and potential errors.
2. Enhanced search and filtering capabilities
With Staff Directory, employees can quickly find colleagues by searching specific attributes such as department, job title, or location, streamlining internal communication.
Employees can also sort team members based on their preference. Alphabetically, by role, or by department, Staff Directory’s intuitive sorting feature makes searching and filtering easier and faster.
3. Advanced configuration and data management
Admins benefit from advanced configuration features, offering flexibility to set app defaults and fine-tune the directory results to meet business preferences.
In addition, directory data can be exported to Excel or CSV formats to enhance data accessibility and support external reporting needs.
4. Multilingual support
With support for 22 languages, our Staff Directory app caters to diverse teams, promoting inclusivity and effective communication across multinational organizations.
5. Modern and user-friendly design
Designed for a modern user experience, Staff Directory offers a quick and easy setup and flexible configuration, reducing the learning curve and encouraging widespread adoption.
With Cloudwell’s Staff Directory app, organizations like yours can enhance company-wide connectivity, boost productivity, and foster collaboration, all while ensuring seamless integration within their existing Microsoft infrastructure.
Frustrated with SharePoint’s staff directory? Try Cloudwell’s Staff Directory free for 15 days and experience the difference today!
Did you know, Staff Directory is just one app in our suite of productivity tools designed to help with specific business needs? Discover more about Cloudwell’s products: and if you have a business need and could use our help, get in touch with the Cloudwell team.